Embedded Files
Introduction To "Fire Breathing Robots..."
Overview, Introduction & Prerequisites:
This is the order I teach these lessons, and am grouping them a sub-projects that are leading to the capstone project of a Robot Rover, which incorporates lots of different topics, modules and disciplines. For example as I teach about how to move a Robot Arm with a servo, we will learn Ohms laws, voltage dividers with resistors and potentiometers, learn how to use a Multi meter, and then how to read an analog voltage with an Arduino, which will let us use a potentiometer with a servo, and eventually use that data to path plan a Robot Arm motion. All of these lessons tend to be categorized in different modules, but will get taught in an order that make sense from a Capstone Project point of view.
This year (2025-2026) I plan to have each Challenge, start with "Engineering Teams" that get the specifications, clearly understand the goals and end product, and then make recommendations, and define the feature sets... So rather than say, "today we are going to learn about Ultrasonics and using them with an Arduino"... Student Engineering teams will understand the challenge, like "find a object" and plan the features and functionality, and then design it, code it, print it, build it...
Prerequisites:
No explicit prerequisite course work, Electronics, Logic, or coding knowledge is required. Come as you are. 🧠
Topics:
See Lesson Progression Below:
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WORK IN PROGRESS
WORK IN PROGRESS
- Unit: Mathematics Top Level Lesson Plan and Teaching Order
- Module: Mixed Teaching Order
- This is a LEARNING Activity : Lesson / Lab
- Last Revised: July 12, 2025 - Authored: July 12, 2025
- Original Author: Jim Burnham - TopClown@STEAMClown.org
- Content License: Distributed as Open Source. See Rights & Usage
Note: TEACHERS!!!! If you are going to use any of these lessons or labs, please let me know. I would really like to understand how you are using this material. I want to know what works, what does not work, what would you like me to add, and how I can make it better. If you changed something, let me know, because it's probably a good idea and you should share it with me, so I can add it and share with everyone else.
This Module or lesson is how I teach in my class. Many of the lessons might be specific to my class, but you could probably adjust them for your class. I'll try to make them a neutral as I can, so they can be used in any Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or any other Engineering / Technology class. Let me know how I can make that better. I'll try to keep this unit current and relevant. Please let me know if any resource links are broken or not accessible.
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Overview and Introduction:
Overview and Introduction:
Author: Jim Burnham - TopClown@STEAMClown.org. License: Distributed as Open Source.
Resource Key:
Resource Key:
<Unit> - <Module Name> - Lessons - Daily/Weekly Lesson Plan
<Unit> - <Module Name> - Lessons - Daily/Weekly Lesson Plan
Key: 📰 Slides / Audio 🎧 / 📽️▶️ Video/YouTube / 🎧▶️📽️ Audio/Video / ✨ Resources / 🖼️ Tutorial / 📖 Reading Activity / 📝 Writing Activity / 📖 📝 Reading/Writing / 📟 Coding / 🛠️ LAB Activity / 🚀 Quiz / 🔎 Review / ✔️ Mastery Check / ✍️ Sign Up /🍕 Extra Credit / 🕸️ Web Links / 👩🏽🎓🧑🏽🎓🧑🏿🎓👩🏫 Class / 🏵️📜📃 Certificate / 🗂️ 📈 Collecting Survey Data
/🧟 Review / 🦾 Practice / 🆙Level Up /
🎚️🦑📤🎯 🚧
- 🦑 Special Project -
Assignment Type: ⚓ Establishing (Minimum Standard) / ⛏️ Developing (Digging Deeper) / 💎 Aspiring (Putting It Together)
This is an ⚓ Establishing Assignment (Minimum Standard) - "Everyone Do" Assignment
This is an ⛏️ Developing (Digging Deeper) - "Everyone Should Do, To Stretch" Assignment
This is an 💎 Aspiring (Putting It Together) - "When you have done the ⚓ Establishing and⛏️ Developing" Assignment
🚀 Formative Quiz - 🔎 Review
🚀 Quiz -🔀 Mastery Path
🚀 Summative Quiz -✔️ Skills Mastery Check
Quiz - verify that they are all listed as a "Formative", "Mastery Path", or "Summative"
🚀 Formative Quiz - These are quizzes that the students can take a few times. I have them either set for unlimited times, or 3-5 times, where the final score is their average. The idea is that these Formative Quizzes are designed for students to learn and master a skill. while I want them to ger 100%, and when it's set to unlimited tries, the student should get 100% eventually. When the quiz is set to 3-5 tries with an average, then they should be prepared and should take the quiz seriously. I set the quiz to not show the right answer, but I do let them see their wrong answer. I also put the explanation of the right and wrong answer in the right and wrong answer prompt for each question. That way they can see why they got the answer wrong and learn from that experience.
8.1.0.3.2.4 - Python - Ch 3 - Functions - Quiz #2 -Built-In Functions - 🚀 Formative Quiz
🚀 Quiz -🔀 Mastery Path - These Mastery path quizzes are to be presented after the student has had a chance to do some labs and some Formative quizzes. The goal is to let students have 2 chances to take this quiz, and take the average of the 2 attempts. Based on the average, they will be presented with a Canvas Mastery Path, where they will have an option for take additional quiz and assignments to help with remediation. This will get them ready to take the Summative Quizzes.
8.1.0.3.3.1 - Python - Ch 3 - Functions - Mastery Quiz #1 - 🚀 Quiz -🔀 Mastery Path
🚀 Summative Quiz -✔️ Skills Mastery Check - These Mastery path quizzes are to be presented after the student has had a chance to do some labs and some Formative quizzes. The goal is to let students have 2 chances to take this quiz, and take the average of the 2 attempts. That will be their final module/subject topic grade.
8.1.0.3.3.1 - Python - Ch 3 - Functions - Skills Mastery Check Quiz #1 - 🚀 Summative Quiz -✔️ Skills Mastery Check
Sponsor Shout Out
Sponsor Shout Out
I would like to thank <Your Company or Organization Here> for their generous support of my classroom and curriculum development. <Your Company or Organization Here> has <Your value proposition, call to action, & related content and message>
(If you would like to sponsor this, or other Modules or presentation, please contact TopClown@STEAMClown.org or check out my "How To Help Page"
If you would like to sponsor other Curriculum Development, check out my "How To Help Page" or contact TopClown@STEAMClown.org
Learning Objective:
Learning Objective:
Module Scope:
- Introduction to the creation of a LinkedIn Profile
- Description of best practices for creating a LinkedIn Profile
- Present Tips and Tricks to build a professional LinkedIn Profile
- Create and Publish a LinkedIn Profile
- Understand why LinkedIn is one of the largest professional networking platforms in the world
- Appreciate the importance of the LinkedIn Profile and how it affects interactions with your professional network
Prior Knowledge:
- Basic understanding of how to use Social Media
- Basic Resume and Cover Letter skills
- Awareness of our own individual personality and characteristics
- PC, Laptop or Other device to access the LinkedIn application
- Each lesson will have specific items needed to complete the labs and tasks
Prerequisites:
Prerequisites:
No explicit prerequisite course work or coding knowledge is required, but students are expected to have a good understanding of basic computer principles.
Caution & Safety Considerations:
Caution & Safety Considerations:
Primer: "Aaron, I can imagine no way in which this thing could be considered anywhere remotely close to safe. All I know is I spent six hours in there and I'm still alive... You still want to do it?"
As with any activity, please make sure you are using appropriate safety equipment. If you are coding, writing, reading, or working a lab, make sure you stand up and stretch every hour or so, Please consider any safety issues connecting to a Raspberry Pi, Arduino, computers and other electronic equipment.
Essential Questions:
Essential Questions:
What is the value of a professional network?
Which is more important, "Who you know" or "What you know"?
Key Academic Vocabulary or Concepts:
Key Academic Vocabulary or Concepts:
What is “LinkedIn”
First Impression
Professional Profile
Networking?
Unit Topics and Lessons
Unit Topics and Lessons
What Do You Already Know? Take This Pre-Quiz To Find Out:
What Do You Already Know? Take This Pre-Quiz To Find Out:
Take the Pre-Quiz to get a better self assessment. Sometimes we feel like we already know a topic, and maybe we can just do a quick review. Other times we find we need to go a little deeper. By taking a quick self assessment, you can measure how much effort you need to put into this section.
Whole Number Pre-Quiz
If you scored 79% or less, you should probably spend a 20-30 min reviewing this section. Even if you scored 100%, it can't hurt to spend 10-15 min.
Mechatronics Engineering Introduction - <topic>
Mechatronics Engineering Introduction - <topic>
This Lesson is coming soon - click here to be notified when it's available - Professional Development Newsletter
Mechatronics - <topic> - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - <topic> - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - <topic> - 📰 Slide Presentation (Coming Soon)
Mechatronics - <topic> - LAB #1 - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Mechatronics - <topic> - LAB #2 - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Mechatronics - <topic> - LAB #3 - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - Potentiometers - Servos - Pan Tilt - Pointing Sensors
Rover - Potentiometers - Servos - Pan Tilt - Pointing Sensors
This is a list of lessons and Module topics about using Servos to point Sensors. You will learn about Ohms Law & Voltage Dividers, Potentiometers, How an Analog value is used to map to a Servo position, and how to point a Sensor.
Mechatronics - <topic> - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - <topic> - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - <topic> - 📰 Slide Presentation (Coming Soon)
Mechatronics - <topic> - LAB #1 - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Mechatronics - <topic> - LAB #2 - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Mechatronics - <topic> - LAB #3 - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - Rover - Power Plate
Rover - Rover - Power Plate
These Lessons are coming soon - This is a list of lessons and Module topics to...
Challenge Lessons and Labs
Mechatronics - Rover - Power Plate - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - Rover - Power Plate - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - Rover - Power Plate - 📰 Slide Presentation
Rover - LAB #1 - Rover - Power Plate - Connections - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #2 - Rover - Power Plate - Status - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #3 - Rover - Power Plate - What Else? - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Prerequisites:
Familiar with DMM, Wire management, Soldering, Arduino C++ Variables / If/Else / For Loops
Rover - Rover - Spin Motors
Rover - Rover - Spin Motors
These Lessons are coming soon - This is a list of lessons and Module topics to...
Challenge Lessons and Labs
Mechatronics - Rover - Motor Controller & Motors - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - Rover - Two Motors - Diff Drive - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - Rover - Power Plate - 📰 Slide Presentation
Rover - LAB #1 - Rover - Motor Controller & Motors - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #2 - Rover - Two Motors - Diff Drive - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #3 - Rover - Arduino Driving (Fixed Pattern) - What Else? - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #4 - Rover - Arduino Driving (Don't Drive Off The Table) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #5 - Rover - Arduino Driving (Don't Drive In To A Wall) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #6 - Rover - Arduino Driving (Escape) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #7 - Rover - Arduino Driving (HBRC Table Challenge 1) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #8 - Rover - Arduino Driving (HBRC Table Challenge 2) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #9 - Rover - Arduino Driving (HBRC Table Challenge 3) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Prerequisites:
Familiar with DMM, Breadboards, Arduino C++ Variables / If/Else / For Loops, number line math
Rover - Status & Information
Rover - Status & Information
These Lessons are coming soon - This is a list of lessons and Module topics to communicate information, specifically the status/health of a Rover.
Challenge Lessons and Labs
Mechatronics - Rover - Conveying Information With LEDs - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - Rover - Conveying Information With LEDs - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - Rover - Conveying Information With LEDs - 📰 Slide Presentation
Rover - LAB #1 - Power Good? - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #2 - Power Good? (With a measurement) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #3 - Eight? Neopixels - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #4 - One Neopixel - Power good Battery System - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #5 - One Neopixel - Power good to Control System - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #6 - One Neopixel - Power good to Motor System - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #7 - One Neopixel for Bluetooth/WiFi/Coms - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #8 - One Neopixel for Heartbeat (Systems are good? / Communication traffic) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #9 - Two? Neopixels for matching data (PID, Voltage, Rotary, Other Analog Data) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #10 - Three? Neopixels for Line Tracking - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Prerequisites:
Familiar with DMM, Breadboards, Arduino C++ Variables / If/Else / For Loops, number line math
Rover - Rover - 2x16 or 4x20 LDC Screen
Rover - Rover - 2x16 or 4x20 LDC Screen
These Lessons are coming soon - This is a list of lessons and Module topics to communicate information, specifically the features on a Rover that can leverage a 2x16 or 4x20 LDC Screen - Step by step to use a the Arduino to display status information on the 2x16 or 4x20 LCD.
Challenge Lessons and Labs
Mechatronics - Rover - 2x16 or 4x20 LDC Screen - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - Rover - 2x16 or 4x20 LDC Screen - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - Rover - 2x16 or 4x20 LDC Screen - 📰 Slide Presentation
Rover - LAB #1 - 2x16 or 4x20 LDC Screen - Hello World - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #2 - Rover Information - Status - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #3 - Rover Information - What Else? - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Prerequisites:
Familiar with DMM, Breadboards, Arduino C++ Variables / If/Else / For Loops, number line math
Rover - System Calibration
Rover - System Calibration
These Lessons are coming soon - This is a list of lessons and Module topics to communicate information, specifically the features on a Rover that need to be calibrated for the specific Rover.
Challenge Lessons and Labs
Mechatronics - Rover - System Calibration - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - Rover - System Calibration - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - Rover - System Calibration - 📰 Slide Presentation
Rover - LAB #1 - Battery? - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #2 - PID Loop - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #3 - Ultrasonic - Ranging/Calibration - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #4 - Single Point Lidar - Ranging/Calibration - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Prerequisites:
Familiar with DMM, Breadboards, Arduino C++ Variables / If/Else / For Loops, number line math
Rover - Ultrasonic
Rover - Ultrasonic
These Lessons are coming soon - This is a list of lessons and Module topics to communicate information, specifically the use of an Ultrasonic Sensor
Challenge Lessons and Labs
Mechatronics - Rover - Ultrasonic Sensor - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - Rover - Ultrasonic Sensor - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - Rover - Ultrasonic Sensor - 📰 Slide Presentation
Rover - LAB #1 - Ultrasonic Sensor - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #2 - Ranging A Object - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #3 - Scanning (Servo Pan/Tilt) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #4 - Find An Object (stationary) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #5 - Find An Object (Driving) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Prerequisites:
Familiar with DMM, Breadboards, Arduino C++ Variables / If/Else / For Loops, number line math
Rover - Lidar - Single Point Ranging Laser/Ranger
Rover - Lidar - Single Point Ranging Laser/Ranger
These Lessons are coming soon - This is a list of lessons and Module topics to communicate information, specifically the use of a LiDAR Range Finder Sensor
Challenge Lessons and Labs
Mechatronics - Rover - Single Point Ranging Laser/Ranger - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - Rover - Single Point Ranging Laser/Ranger - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - Rover - Single Point Ranging Laser/Ranger - 📰 Slide Presentation
Rover - LAB #1 - LiDAR Range Finder Sensor - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #2 - Ranging A Object - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #3 - Scanning (Servo Pan/Tilt) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #4 - Find An Object (stationary) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Rover - LAB #5 - Find An Object (Driving) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Prerequisites:
Familiar with DMM, Breadboards, Arduino C++ Variables / If/Else / For Loops, number line math
Mechatronics Engineering Introduction - <topic>
Mechatronics Engineering Introduction - <topic>
This Lesson is coming soon - click here to be notified when it's available - Professional Development Newsletter
Mechatronics - <topic> - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - <topic> - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - <topic> - 📰 Slide Presentation (Coming Soon)
Mechatronics - <topic> - LAB #1 - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Mechatronics - <topic> - LAB #2 - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Mechatronics - <topic> - LAB #3 - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - Pick & Place
Robot Arm - Pick & Place
These Lessons are coming soon - This is a list of lessons and Module topics to get to the place where you can move a 3+ Robot Arm
Challenge Lessons and Labs
Mechatronics - Robot Arm - Pick & Place - 📖 Lesson Tutorial
Mechatronics - Robot Arm - Pick & Place - 📽️ Video / Podcast
Mechatronics - Robot Arm - Pick & Place - 📰 Slide Presentation
Robot Arm - LAB #1 - AC/DC - Voltage Divider / DMM & Ohms Law - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #2 - AC/DC - Potentiometer / DMM & Ohms Law - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #3 - AC/DC - Photoresistor / DMM & Ohms Law - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #4 - Arduino - Reading Analog Values - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #5 - Math - Linear Mapping (a.k.a. Linear Interpolation) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #6 - Arduino - Using Analog Sensor Source To Move Servos - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #7 - Arduino - Moving From Point A to Point B - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #8 - Arduino - Reading Potentiometer Values To Map Point A & Point B - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #9 - Arduino - Moving Smoothly From Point A to Point B - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #10 - Arduino - Moving Smoothly (With Math) From Point A to Point B - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #11 - Arduino - Cartesian Math (X,Y,Z) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #12 - Arduino - Moving Smoothly With Cartesian Math (X,Y,Z) From Point A to Point B - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #13 - Arduino - More - Moving Smoothly With Cartesian Math (X,Y,Z) From Point A to Point B - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #14 - Arduino - Pick & Place/Poke (Blind) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Robot Arm - LAB #15 - Arduino - Pick & Place/Poke ("PLC" Feedback) - 🛠️ LAB Activity
Prerequisites:
Familiar with DMM, Breadboards, Arduino C++ Variables / If/Else / For Loops, number line math
Khan Academy - Pre Algebra
Learn pre-algebra for free—all of the basic arithmetic and geometry skills needed for algebra. Full curriculum of exercises and videos.
Back is the awesome stuff about old stuff you already know...
Next is the awesome new lesson about stuff
Reference, Attribution & Resources:
Reference, Attribution & Resources:
License - "Be A Hero"... Distribute Your Content As Open Source... That Is What I'm Doing...
License - "Be A Hero"... Distribute Your Content As Open Source... That Is What I'm Doing...
The content on this site may have been pulled from other open source sites, but typically the interpretation and presentation is primarily the Intellectual Property of Jim Burnham, - TopClown@STEAMClown.org at www.steamclown.org and the Student curriculum can be found under the specific Mechatronics Engineering Units section of this web site.
If you do use my material, and make changes, I would appreciate getting a copy... because if you are making changes, it means that you think there is a better way to teach this… and I would really appreciate understanding that. Please send me feedback on my Questions or Feedback form. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions or comment.
You also should keep and include my STEAM Clown Logo and Copyright in any derivative works you create. I would appreciate if you would include one of these images found on my Steam Clown License page and link it to www.steamclown.org
If you do use my material, and make changes, I would appreciate getting a copy... because if you are making changes, it means that you think there is a better way to teach this… and I would really appreciate understanding that. Please send me feedback on my Questions or Feedback form. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions or comment.
You also should keep and include my STEAM Clown Logo and Copyright in any derivative works you create. I would appreciate if you would include one of these images found on my Steam Clown License page and link it to www.steamclown.org
Teachers - Unit, Module and Lesson Plans
Teachers - Unit, Module and Lesson Plans
If you are a teacher and want to connect and teach this Lesson or Module, discuss how I teach it, give me feedback, please contact me at TopClown@STEAMClown.org
To access this Lesson Plan and the Teacher collaboration area, you will have needed to connect with me so I can Share the content with you. Please go to the Teachers & Partner Page, check out my Licensing and fill out my Collaboration and Curriculum Request Form. I'll review and then grant you access to the requested areas and lesson plans if they exist.
If you have questions or feedback on how I can make a presentation, lesson, lab better please give use my Feedback Form.
Standards Alignments & Objectives:
Standards Alignments & Objectives:
I’ll work on getting these in, but it’s the last thing I want to work on :-) When I have them updated, I’ll move to the top of the Lesson Plan.
NGSS: <list standard numbers>
California CTE Standards: <list standard numbers>
Related Instructional Objectives (SWBAT): <list standard numbers>
CCSS: nnn, RSIT: nnn, RLST: nnn, WS: nnn, WHSST: nnn, A-CED: nnn, ETS: nnn <list standard numbers>
Main Standard:
Priority standards:
National Standards:
Resource Attribution:
Sites Referenced or Summarized:
Resource Attribution:
Sites Referenced or Summarized:
Reference Text Book - Basic College Mathematics with Early Integers 4th edition - Elayn Martin-Gay - University of New Orleans - Pearson
Reference Sites -
Images:
Images:
https://imgbin.com/png/ZJtzkYZZ/under-construction-png
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