Electrical Foundations with Arduino

High Schoolers

4 sessions

Each Session 2 hours

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).

Schedule

Session 1 — Circuits & the Multimeter

Build a basic circuit — wire a battery, switch, and LED; test continuity with a multimeter. Measure voltage across components; add a second switch to control power paths.

Wire series vs. parallel circuits; measure voltage drops across each configuration.

Project: LED Sign — design and build a multi-LED parallel circuit that keeps all LEDs lit independently

Session 2 — Motors

Introduce current — power a DC motor; use the multimeter to measure current draw

Session 3 — Arduino & Signal Control

Set up the Arduino IDE; upload a Blink sketch; understand digital HIGH/LOW signals, Use the Arduino as a programmable voltage source — control an LED's brightness with PWM

Wire a limit switch (COM, NO, NC terminals); write code to detect presses and trigger motor actions, Wire an ultrasonic distance sensor; code real-time distance readings and threshold-based reactions

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

Session 4 — E-Panel Assembly & Soldering

Soldering fundamentals — tool safety, tinning, heating technique, flux; practice joints and check with multimeter

Plan the e-panel layout — map component placement, measure and cut wires to size

Final Project: Electronics Panel — assemble a complete e-panel integrating battery, switches, Arduino, relay, motor, and sensors into one organized system

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