Starting in Electronics and Programming

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

Setting a pathway of electronics, programming, and construction with long-term usefulness that excites students, is achievable. What works is starting with simple graphical coding and basic electronics, then assembling robots using standard controls (Arduino) and finishing with small devices (Pi).

My students need immediate results and hands-on learning to stay interested.

The "maker" world suits them well, but they cannot get there because their skillset is so low. Finding ways to maintain their personal and individual interest, drives instruction. Yes, their lives are troubled. Whether their homes are random, or their friends are lackluster or their teachers were weak doesn't really matter. They need guidance and the awareness that the future matters and it can be positive and rewarding, not fatalistically bleak. Importantly, few have ever made models. The Makerbot robots serve as models. Students learn to follow directions, then modify to see different results. They also learn that not following directions leads to disaster. Getting them through the interplay leads to perseverance. This is the main benefit they get through STEM besides content knowledge itself.

My Project

Mixing "Scratch" type coding within a math class, then allowing students to carry the code techniques to building/programming robots, creates high, sustainable interest. Some students move into text coding and assembly of basic computers; other students move into adding sensors with trickier coding in constructing robots. A few students will move into text coding online or on real computers. Each student creates his or her pathway and works at his or her own pace. Some enjoy soldering on anti-static mats. One will make a flame-thrower (not a good idea). Others will quietly, but consistently toil. Specifically, the Sparkfun kits allow students to learn electronics and program in text or "Scratch" to see results. This supports building Makerbot robots and our school's solar program. The Makebots are coded like the Sparkfun Arduino kits. As a result, students will be able to either create better Arduino robots or add Arduino capabilities to a VEX Cortex robot and win VEX competitions.

Arduino controller boards unite electronics, programming and robotics.

They form a base that allows students to pursue coding long-term. This appeals to many of them because they don't want the noise of drama that pervades their lives. Other programs like "First Robotics/LEGO" or even "VEX" are not just too difficult, but dead ends. Their controllers don't easily allow expansion and openness. The low cost Arduino/Pi products can change lives long term because they allow growth.