Arduino Coding Part 3: Motors, Displays, and Other Actuators

INTRODUCTION:
In this 10-week self-paced class, students will learn how to use a wide variety of digital and analog actuators to code an Arduino Uno to create inventions and projects.  This class will build on the foundation that students gained from my Arduino Parts 1 and 2 FLEX classes to allow students to incorporate more advanced devices into their projects.

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 actuators: active and passive buzzer, relay, servo, LCDs, 1-digit LED, 4-digit LED, LED array, DC motor, and stepper motor. Students will learn how to download and properly install Arduino Libraries that are needed for some of the actuators.

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,  TinkerCad, and Wokwi 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.  Libraries can be download from the Arduino IDE directly. 

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.

IMPORTANT:  You will need to have access to a computer with a USB port, and not just a chromebook or tablet because the Arduino IDE does NOT work on those devices.

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. 

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:
Students should either have completed Arduino Coding Part I and Part 2 or have basic knowledge of the skills taught in those classes.  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 actuators that will be taught.  Please see the recommended materials and kits listed in the " Supply List" shown below.

Please see the list of weekly topics in the Learning Goals section below.