Arduino Coding Part 2: Adding a Variety of Sensors to Your Projects

INTRODUCTION:
In this 12-week flex class, students will learn how to use a wide variety of digital and analog sensors to code an Arduino Uno to create inventions and projects.
This class will build on the foundation that students gained from my introductory Arduino coding class. A brief review of the Arduino board as well as some of the sensors covered in Part 1. These include photoresistors, thermistors, buttons, and servos.

IMPORTANT:  If you are using an actual Arduino, you will need to have access to a computer and not just a chromebook or tablet because the Arduino IDE does NOT work on those devices.

Each week, students learn about a different component culminating in a final project that students will create and share with the class.  Students will learn how to hook up and code the following sensors: water level sensor, sound sensor, pressure and flex sensors (not found in kits but have similar wiring and coding), rotary encoder, joystick, remote control, keypad, DHT-11 (temperature and humidity), RTC (real time clock), RFID reader, and accelerometer/gyroscope module.  In addition, students will learn how to use the serial monitor as a sensor for input, and how to make and use a capacitive touch sensor. Students will also learn how to download and properly install Arduino Libraries that are needed for some of the sensors.


FORMAT OF THE LESSONS:
Every Sunday, a new lesson will be posted in the classroom on Outschool.  Each lesson begins with a recorded video that is uploaded to the classroom in Outschool.  A combination of the Arduino IDE and TinkerCad are used to teach the lessons in the videos.  Provided in the video are detailed explanations of how to connect the devices to the Arduino and how to write code to read the sensors.  A link to Arduino libraries will be uploaded to the Classroom page so that students will be able to locate and download the libraries for their use.

Depending on the number of students and the various time zones involved, live Zoom classes may be scheduled to provide assistance or to share final projects with the class.

Each video begins with a short PowerPoint presentation that explains the basic principles.  This is followed by a detailed guided demonstration that shows how to connect the components and the code used to control them.  Each student is expected to actively participate by following the directions described in the lesson using their components and the Arduino software and or using the simulation on TinkerCad.   It may be helpful to have separate devices: one for watching the video and a computer to try out the lessons. This will make it easier to follow along with the lessons.

Each week, an activity worksheet will be posted in the classroom that describes the objectives of the lesson, any libraries needed for the device, and a list of activities to try. Students will have one week to complete the activities and are required to share their code and projects.


PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:
Students should either have completed Arduino Coding Part I or have basic knowledge of the skills taught in that class.  They should know how to wire and code the following devices: LED, RGB LED, serial monitor, ultrasonic sensor, servo, photoresistor, thermistor, button, potentiometer.  They should have basic knowledge of the Arduino coding syntax and be able to use simple “if/else,” “while,” and “for” loops. 

Students need to have an Arduino Uno or Arduino Mega for this class, as well as the sensors that will be taught.  Please see the recommended materials and kits listed in the " Supply List" shown below.