Name: Electrical Foundations with Arduino
SKU: Electrical-Foundations-W4-5-26
Price: 1299.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Electrical Foundations with Arduino

Camper's Age: Ages 13-18

Camp Topic: Robotics

Camp Week: Week 4-5 (June 22-26 & 29-31)

Gaming: No gaming

Ages 13–15 | 5-Day Full-Day or 10-Day Half-Day

Build real circuits from scratch, measure voltage and current with a multimeter, program an Arduino to control motors and read sensors, and assemble a complete electronics panel. Curriculum developed by the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy (SMART Robotics Technician Program).

Full-Day Schedule (5 Days, 4 sessions/day)

Day 1 — First Circuits & the Multimeter

Session	Project
AM 1	Identify components (wires, resistors, LEDs, switches, batteries); crimp connectors and construct wires
AM 2	Build a basic circuit — wire a battery, switch, and LED; test continuity with a multimeter
PM 1	Measure voltage across components; add a second switch to control power paths
PM 2	Project: Lightbox — assemble a lighted enclosure using all wiring, battery, and switch skills from the day

Day 2 — Parallel & Series Circuits / Motors

Session	Project
AM 1	Wire series vs. parallel circuits; measure voltage drops across each configuration
AM 2	Project: LED Sign — design and build a multi-LED parallel circuit that keeps all LEDs lit independently
PM 1	Introduce current — power a DC motor; use the multimeter to measure current draw
PM 2	Project: Motorized Fan — wire a motor circuit with proper voltage/current supply and a control switch

Day 3 — Arduino & Signal Control

Session	Project
AM 1	Set up the Arduino IDE; upload a Blink sketch; understand digital HIGH/LOW signals
AM 2	Use the Arduino as a programmable voltage source — control an LED's brightness with PWM
PM 1	Wire a relay module — write code to switch a motor on/off via Arduino digital output
PM 2	Motor control board — program speed and direction changes; combine relay and PWM for variable motor control

Day 4 — Sensors & Autonomous Behavior

Session	Project
AM 1	Wire a limit switch (COM, NO, NC terminals); write code to detect presses and trigger motor actions
AM 2	Wire an ultrasonic distance sensor; code real-time distance readings and threshold-based reactions
PM 1	Combine both sensors — code logic that reacts to proximity and contact events
PM 2	Project: Autonomous Kicker — build a mechanism that detects an object with the distance sensor, then kicks it using a motor triggered by the limit switch

Day 5 — E-Panel Assembly & Soldering

Session	Project
AM 1	Soldering fundamentals — tool safety, tinning, heating technique, flux; practice joints and check with multimeter
AM 2	Plan the e-panel layout — map component placement, measure and cut wires to size
PM 1	Build wiring harnesses with conduit; label all connections for easy troubleshooting
PM 2	Final Project: Electronics Panel — assemble a complete e-panel integrating battery, switches, Arduino, relay, motor, and sensors into one organized system

Half-Day Schedule (10 Days, 2 sessions/day)

Days	Content
Days 1–2	First Circuits & the Multimeter (Full-Day 1 content)
Days 3–4	Parallel & Series Circuits / Motors (Full-Day 2 content)
Days 5–6	Arduino & Signal Control (Full-Day 3 content)
Days 7–8	Sensors & Autonomous Behavior (Full-Day 4 content)
Days 9–10	E-Panel Assembly & Soldering (Full-Day 5 content)

What You'll Build

Lightbox with battery, switches, and wired LED circuit
Multi-LED parallel circuit sign
Motorized fan with current-managed power supply
Arduino-controlled relay and PWM motor system
Autonomous Kicker using limit switch and ultrasonic sensor
Complete electronics panel with labeled wiring harnesses
Soldered circuit joints

Tools & Technologies

Arduino microcontroller & IDE
Digital multimeter (continuity, voltage, current)
Relay modules, motor control boards
Limit switches, ultrasonic distance sensors
Soldering iron, solder, flux
Crimping tools, wire strippers, conduit