Maker Blog - Arduino

Arduino Uno

With the maker movement quickly growing every year teaching people of all ages about technology and engineering, there is no better way for teenagers to begin learning these concepts than with Arduino. Arduino is an open source micro-controller that can be programmed on the computer with the programming language C to input, compute, and output commands and data. But what makes Arduino the best choice for middle and high school teachers to pick up and teach engineering in the classroom?

Arduino Box

Arduino Starter Kit

                                          

First of all, Arduinos are very cheap and affordable for schools to buy Arduinos and kits for an entire classroom. Arduinos themselves cost less than $20 while starter kits containing dozens of Arduino projects with materials and in-depth instructions can cost around only $40-50.

                     

Arduino IDE

Arduino connected to motor

However, whats more important is the large range of important engineering concepts that an Arduino teaches. On the most basic level, Teachers can use the Arduino to teach their students both programming and mechanical engineering These 2 engineering topics cover the basis to the majority of every type engineering major out there. The mechanical engineering environment allows a limitless range of possibilities for projects as Arduino is open source, meaning other companies and hobbyists can make their own compatible motors and sensors. This allows for a great amount of creativity for students in doing a project, as with the large variety of motors, sensors, and connectable boards along with designing the mechanism built around them, there is no defined way of making something. As a result students will learn both creativity, and a combination of electrical wiring and mechanical building. 

The programming environment for Arduino is also very appropriate for a good start for teachers to teach students programming languages through C. First off, the Arduino's programming IDE is easy to use, well polished, and free to download. With Arduino kits containing coding instructions as well as plenty of free online tutorials teaching C coding on Arduinos, there are plenty of resources for teachers to draw from to teach how to program. Also, the knowledge gained from learning Arduino C doesn't end their, just like a real language, learning 1 programming language makes learning more easier as the basic programming concepts stay the same.

                                

Open source Arduino Projects

Arduinos are a great choice for middle to high school teachers to introduce the basic concepts of programming and engineering to students due to their affordability and simplicity. However, with Arduino being open source, teacher can use other resources outside starter kits to make new projects and give students the freedom of creativity to design and program something to complete them.

Sources:

Maker Movement:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maker_culture

Arduino Information

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/arduino-technology-explained/ 

https://www.arduino.cc/en/guide/introduction

Arduino + Starter Kits:

https://www.amazon.com/MakerBest-Quality-Compatible-ATmega328P-Development/dp/B00Q6ZW4NO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1495680327&sr=8-7&keywords=arduino+uno

https://www.amazon.com/Kuman-Complete-Tutorial-Components-breadboard/dp/B016D5KUHS/ref=sr_1_10?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1495680359&sr=1-10&keywords=arduino+starter+kit