Lesson Overview

The goal of this lesson is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of Arduino and how programming is used to control and interact with physical devices. Building on the concepts from Lesson 1, which focused on LED circuits, students will expand their understanding by learning how to:

• Write code on an Arduino board

• Upload their own code to an Arduino

• Wire a simple LED circuit

• Use the Arduino to turn on an LED and adjust its brightness

Required Kit Supplies

• 1x Arduino Mega

• 1x USB uploading cable (USB A-to-USB B)

• 1x Breadboard

• 1x LED

• 1x 220 Ω Resistor

• Assorted Male-to-Male (M-M) wires

Additional Required Supplies 

• Chromebook or laptop for each student

  • Arduino IDE installed or access to Arduino web editor with Arduino Create Agent installed

  • Instructions on how to use the Arduino web editor here.

Keywords

• Microcontroller: A compact computing device that processes information from sensors and controls actuators in various systems.

• Sensors: Devices that detect and measure real-world factors like temperature, distance, or time, converting them into electrical signals.

• Actuators: Electrical components that produce movement when powered, such as motors that rotate wheels or other mechanisms.

• Syntax: The structure and rules of a programming language, including the proper use of words, symbols, characters, and spacing.

Additional External Resources

• Using the Arduino Web Editor

  • Using the Arduino Cloud Editor | Arduino Documentation

• Introduction to Programming an Arduino

  • Getting Started with Arduino | Arduino Documentation

• Sensors and Actuators

  • What’s The Difference Between Sensors and Actuators? (upkeep.com)

• Arduino Syntax

  • Arduino Reference - Arduino Reference