This is a full year course using the Make curriculum.

This course is an introduction to physical computing with the Arduino microcontroller platform. No prior experience is required, not even an understanding of basic electronics. The course takes the beginner from building simple circuits on a breadboard to setting up the Arduino IDE and downloading and writing sketches to run on the Arduino. Students will be introduced to basic electronics theory and programming concepts, as well as to digital and analog inputs and outputs. Throughout the course, debugging practices are highlighted, so novices will know what to do if their circuits or their code doesn't work for the current project and those that they embark on later for themselves. After completing the projects in this course, students will have a firm basis for building their own projects with the Arduino.

Click here to register

Prerequisites

Basic use of a computer.

Lessons include

• Chapter 1 – Introduction to Arduino
• Chapter 2 – Your Arduino
• Chapter 3 – Meet the Circuit
• Chapter 4 – Programming the Arduino
• Chapter 5 – Electricity and Metering
• Chapter 6 – Switches, LEDs and More
• Chapter 7 – Analog Values
• Chapter 8 – Servo Motors
• Chapter 9 – BUilding Your Projects

The amount and pace of content coverage will depend on the prior knowledge of students enrolled as well as class interest on various topics with a desire to dive deeper into specific content.

This is a secular class.

Schedule

Lecture class will meet from 2:15pm to 3:15 pm on Tuesdays.

The ability to attend class regularly will be important for continuity of information. Students unable to attend a class should expect additional work in order to be prepared. Please arrive promptly, prepared to hit the ground running.

We will take attendance, but only for our own internal accountability. Spaces are limited, so only sign up if you intend to attend regularly, as you will be taking a slot that could have been occupied by somebody else.

Assignments and Grading

There will be no homework, but students will be encouraged to read the upcoming chapter in the book to become familiar with the new material. We can issue a formal grade for the class, which will be based on class participation. Alternately, parents are welcome to assign their own grade for their child based on our feedback, but this will not be on a Winston Hall Academy transcript.

Students should be prepared to conduct hands-on activities during the lecture. Students will also need to bring a Windows laptop computer.

Involvement by parents is key, but I will not expect you to do any of the teaching. What I will expect from parents is this:

• Respond to my emails, usually in the form of "Got it"
• Ensure your student(s) complete any homework and reading assignments
• Get your student(s) to class on time
• Don't get mad if we run overtime. Feel free to come in and pull your student(s) out if you need to go, though
• Be responsive if I ask something and abide by the written policies of the school, which will be provided to you prior to registering

Involvement by your student is even more important. What I will expect from students is this:

• Read the assignment before class and be prepared to discuss it in class
• Be attentive in class
• Do your homework
• Ask questions

I highly encourage questions. We ask a lot of questions in my current classes. Many of the questions are seemingly unusual and lead us down unplanned paths, but they all educate. I don't tolerate completely frivolous questions, though.

New students will require an in-person interview before being accepted into the class. Students may be denied entry into the class at my sole discretion, for reasons which may include lack of maturity, lack of interest in the subject matter or lack of tolerance of viewpoints with which they may not agree.

Class Materials

We will be using the book by Make Magazine. The textbook is available here, but will be included in your $45 supply fee.

There are no additional materials required beyond a computer, printing ability, pen, calculator and typical classroom materials. Any additional materials, like electronic components, will be provided.