Engineering with Arduino: Project-Based Electronics and Programming

Course Description

In what has been termed "The Second Industrial Revolution", millions of "makers" from around the world are collaborating via the internet to create amazing inventions using open source hardware and software. A major catalyst for this explosion of imagination is the Arduino platform, which includes a microcontroller and free software with which to program it. Arduino boards come in many forms, and their open source design allows for inexpensive "clone" versions to be sold freely. Arduino thus brings advanced electronics projects within the ability and budget of virtually anyone who wants to learn, but its real power is in the community that has supplied hundreds of compatible sensor and actuator modules, the code to make them work, and helpful advice.

In this course, we will introduce you to the basics of creating technology with Arduino.
Though the use of inputs (sensors) and outputs (motors, actuators) we will investigate what drives the development of technological progress and innovation. You will have the opportunity to program and design your own circuits that you can take home with you at the conclusion of class. Some of the course topics include: Home automation, game development, and other projects based on the students own interests in technology. During the course, you will work step by step to allow multiple Arduinos to communicate with each other in a wireless network. For example, you will learn how to get sensor readings through the network, to the internet, and from the internet to your smartphone. By the end of the course, you will know how to monitor temperature, humidity, light, motion, and more from anywhere with an internet connection. All of this is possible in a fully customizable, and inexpensive system of an Arduino and its sensors that you get to design and innovate.

While our course focuses on the topic of home automation, the process we follow is applicable to a multitude of other projects, so if you ever want to build a 3D printer at home, or create your own drone, this course will help you get started. You will become familiar with where to find the parts, code, and information necessary to complete such projects.

Prerequisites: This course will cover the basic programming and electronics skills necessary to complete many Arduino projects. Any previous programming or electronics experience you have will be beneficial for you, but even if you have no experience, you're still welcome to enroll. Please familiarize yourself with basic concepts including if statements, for loops, voltage, current, resistance, etc.

*Please note: This course has a supplemental fee of $75