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Arduino Coding Part 3: Using Electronic Actuators in Engineering Projects

Completed by 29 learners
Ages 13-17
Live Group Course
Add excitement to your robotic or electronic projects as you learn to wire and code various actuators such as speakers, motors, servos, and LCDs in this 10-lesson course through the use of TinkerCad or actual components.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(145 reviews)

Live video meetings
2x per week, 5 weeks
1-10 learners per class
55 min

What's included

10 live meetings
9 hrs 10 mins in-class hours
Certificate of Completion
included

Class Experience

Intermediate Level
This class will teach how to use Arduino coding to control actuators, such as LCDs, motors and servos.  Students will learn how about actuators, how to hook them up to the Arduino, and how to use Arduino libraries to control them.

NOTE:
This class will meet twice a week for five weeks or once a week for 10 weeks .  Sunday classes meet once a week.

During class, students will first be introduced to the concepts through PowerPoint slides, and then guided through the lesson for how to connect the components and how to write the code.  Students will either use Arduino components that they have at home, or they will use a simulation program, called TinkerCad, to follow along.

IMPORTANT:
Before students take this class, they should have basic knowledge of the Arduino microcontroller, and know the basic format of Arduino coding and be familiar with how to use a breadboard. It is best if they already participated in my first two courses: Arduino Coding Part 1: LEDs, Circuits and Breadboards and Arduino Coding Part 2: Reading and Using Sensors.  

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

Please see the Learning Goals below for a list of topics covered in this class.

Learning Goals

Students will learn about different types of actuators and how to wire them.
Students will learn how to use a variety of displays, such as the LCD, 8x8 LED array, and 7-segment displays.

Syllabus

10 Lessons
over 5 Weeks
Lesson 1:
What are actuators?
 Learn about the different types of actuators, such as digital,  analog and pulse.  Review how to wire a LED and use a breadboard. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Active vs passive buzzer
 Learn how to wire and use an active and passive buzzer and how to write songs using a passive buzzer. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Servos
 Learn the difference between positional and continuous servos, how to wire and write code for them 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Stepper Motor and Motor Driver
 Learn how to wire and use a stepper motor, to turn it clockwise, and counter-clockwise, and how to count the steps. Make a stop watch. 
55 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Pre-Requisites
Students should have taken my Parts 1 and 2 classes or know the following: How to use an Arduino to read sensors and turn on LEDs, how to use breadboards, how to add libraries, understand "if," "while", "switch," and "for" commands.
Supply List
Students need to either have an account with www.autocad.com to use the free TinkerCad circuit simulator or download the free Arduino IDE from www.arduino.cc to use with the Arduino components. TinkerCad does NOT have many of the devices we will be using.


You can buy the components separately, but it would be more expensive than buying a kit that has all the parts you need and more. Either of these kits would be more than sufficient for this class.  There are larger kits with more components, but they are not necessary for this class.


Recommended Devices/kits if you are purchasing components separately:
     Arduino Uno (or clone) with USB cable
     solderless breadboard
     3 different color LEDs
     3 1000-ohm resistors
     3 220-ohm resistors
     1-3 pushbuttons
     1-3 potentiometers
     1 servo motor
     1 ultrasonic sensor
     1 passive piezo buzzer
     1 stepper motor and motor driver
     1 DC motor
     1 active buzzer
     1 passive buzzer
     1 LCD, preferably with backpack (https://www.amazon.com/Qunqi-Serial-Backlight-Arduino-MEGA2560/dp/B01E4YUT3K/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=82F2F1N5PA4D76EEHV6H)
     1 LED array
     1 7-segment LED (1 digit)
     1 - 4- digit LED
     1 micro servo 
     1 continuous servo (optional)
     Many male-male jumper wires of different colors
     Many male-female jumper wires of different colors


Recommended Kit that contains all the parts:

https://www.amazon.com/EL-KIT-001-Project-Complete-Starter-Tutorial/dp/B01CZTLHGE/ref=asc_df_B01CZTLHGE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241907595991&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8544331822937541734&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015321&hvtargid=pla-464156272733&psc=1

This will make the LCD easier to work with:
https://www.amazon.com/Qunqi-Serial-Backlight-Arduino-MEGA2560/dp/B01E4YUT3K/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=82F2F1N5PA4D76EEHV6H

Individual parts if you don't have the large kit:
Here are some items that you will need for this class:

8x8 LED matrix:    https://www.amazon.com/Organizer-MAX7219-Display-Single-Chip-Control/dp/B07VM6HXN5/ref=sr_1_3?crid=YQ12DPYJV6VV&dchild=1&keywords=8x8+led+matrix+arduino&qid=1632697197&sprefix=8x8+arduino+mat%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-3

7 segment display:  https://www.amazon.com/microtivity-7-segment-Display-Common-Cathode/dp/B004S95VJE/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=arduino+7+1+digit+segment+display&qid=1632697304&sr=8-9


 4 digit display    https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Digital-Segment-Display-Arduino/dp/B01DKISMXK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3IUD9L2USXBRF&dchild=1&keywords=arduino+7+segment+display&qid=1632697250&sprefix=arduino+7+seg%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyVDkxVFdGWVQwMk8xJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzc5MjkwN09GREFLQVJYWldZJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1NTY1MTcyNklTTjZOV0o5MzZEJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Optional but fun:  Neopixels:  https://www.amazon.com/Adafruit-NeoPixel-Ring-Integrated-Drivers/dp/B00KBXT9I0/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=neopixel+ring+adafruit&qid=1632697401&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/Adafruit-NeoPixel-Ring-Integrated-Drivers/dp/B00KBXT9I0/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=neopixel+ring+adafruit&qid=1632697401&sr=8-2
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
tinkercad.com arduino.cc

Meet the teacher

Joined August, 2020
4.9
145reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Ohio Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
Master's Degree in Science from Case Western Reserve University
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Stern College for Women Yeshiva University
My classes will teach you coding skills needed to program an Arduino microcontroller. In these classes you will learn about the Arduino and how to write code that allows it to read input from sensors and send output to actuators.  You will be guided through the wiring and coding for each type of sensor and actuator so that you will eventually be able to create your own inventions.

I have been a private school middle and high school science teacher for over 30 years. During that time, I taught classes in chemistry, engineering, earth science, life science, chemistry, forensic science, biology, and health.  I enjoy teaching through hands-on experimentation and I believe that students learn best when they are activity engaged in the learning process.

I am an amateur photographer and love to photograph my grandchildren, my dog, and wildlife. I enjoy creating scrapbooks from my photos. I also enjoy tinkering with my Arduino and 3D printer to create inventions of my own.

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