Embedded Files
Introduction To Low Cost, Accessible "Fire Breathing Robots..."
Overview, Introduction & Prerequisites:
RP2040-Zero is a small, but capable microcontroller.
Prerequisites:
No explicit prerequisite course work, Electronics, Logic, or coding knowledge is required. Come as you are. π§ Β
Topics:
Introduction to the RP2040-ZERO, the resources, and what you can do with it.Β Β
Using the the RP2040-ZERO in the Arduino IDE, with C++
Using the the RP2040-ZERO in the MicroPython IDE, with Python
What Shiny project I plan to explore with my Mechatronics Engineering classΒ
How to be Awesome
Author: Jim Burnham (with some Idea, Topic, & Lab help from AI)Β - TopClown@STEAMClown.org. License: Distributed as Open Source. I'm a huge supporter of Open Source and Creative Commons resources.Β This is another way of saying Free, Equitable and Accessible resources...Β π½οΈ π§ π° π ππ οΈ πΌοΈ - Want to Support Me on this endeavor?
Let's get started... Its going to be a wild, fun, awesome ride...
Web Site: WWW.STEAMCLOWN.ORG | Contact: TopClown@STEAMClown.org | LinkedIn: Jim Burnham | You Tube: jimTheSTEAMClown | TikTok: STEAM Clown
Consider Supporting my Open Source STEAM Curriculum Development -- Check Out My How To Help Page -Β Patreon, PayPal, Venmo, My Amazon WishlistΒ
WORK IN PROGRESS
WORK IN PROGRESS
- Unit: Robots & Rovers
- Module: Code, Periferals, PCBs, and other Shiny stuff
- This is a LEARNING Activity : Lesson / Lab
- Last Revised: Aug 14, 2026 - Authored: Aug 14, 2026
- Original Author: Jim Burnham - TopClown@STEAMClown.org
- Content License: Distributed as Open Source. SeeΒ Rights & Usage
Note: TEACHERS!!!! If you are going to use any of these lessons or labs, please let me know.Β I would really like to understand how you are using this material.Β I want to know what works, what does not work, what would you like me to add, and how I can make it better.Β 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.Β
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.Β 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.Β Let me know how I can make that better. I'll try to keep this unit current and relevant.Β Please let me know if any resource links are broken or not accessible.
Send me email at TopClown@STEAMClown.org Β You can also Join the STEAM Clown's Mailing List.Β If you want to Unsubscribe, click my Unsubscribe From Mailing List link
Caution & SafetyΒ Considerations:
Caution & SafetyΒ Considerations:
Primer: Β "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. Β If you are coding, writing, reading, or working a lab, make sure you stand up and stretch every hour or so,Β Please consider any safety issues connecting to a Raspberry Pi, Arduino, computers and other electronic equipment.
Essential Questions:
Essential Questions:
What can you contribute to an AWESOME Open Source Project like this?
RP2040-Zero Topics and Lessons
RP2040-Zero Topics and Lessons
Getting Started - Arduino & C++
Getting Started - Arduino & C++
Documents:Β
Getting Started User Guide
Getting Started User Guide - π° Slide Presentation (Coming Soon)
Getting Started User Guide - π Tutorial
RP2040-ZERO - πΈοΈΒ Web Site - Waveshare - See the section on Arduino IDE
Powering & Connecting To Your RP2040-Zero - Blink
Powering & Connecting To Your RP2040-Zero - Blink
This Lesson is about connecting the RP2040-Zero to your Computer.
RP2040-ZERO - πΈοΈΒ Web Site - Waveshare - See the section on Arduino IDE
Getting Started with Waveshare RP2040-Zero | Blink LED Project for Beginners
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - π Lesson Tutorial
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - π½οΈ Video / Podcast
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - π° Slide Presentation (Coming Soon)
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - LAB #1 - π οΈ LAB Activity
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - LAB #2 - π οΈ LAB Activity
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - LAB #3 - π οΈ LAB Activity
RP2040-Zero - LED & Button
RP2040-Zero - LED & Button
This Lesson is about connecting the RP2040-Zero to your Computer.
RP2040-ZERO - πΈοΈΒ Web Site - Waveshare - See the section on Arduino IDE
Getting Started with Waveshare RP2040-Zero | Blink LED Project for Beginners
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - π Lesson Tutorial
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - π½οΈ Video / Podcast
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - π° Slide Presentation (Coming Soon)
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - LAB #1 - π οΈ LAB Activity
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - LAB #2 - π οΈ LAB Activity
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - LAB #3 - π οΈ LAB Activity
RP2040-Zero - NeoPixel
RP2040-Zero - NeoPixel
This Lesson is about connecting the RP2040-Zero to your Computer.
RP2040-ZERO - πΈοΈΒ Web Site - Waveshare - See the section on Arduino IDE
Getting Started with Waveshare RP2040-Zero | Blink LED Project for Beginners
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - π Lesson Tutorial
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - π½οΈ Video / Podcast
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - π° Slide Presentation (Coming Soon)
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - LAB #1 - π οΈ LAB Activity
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - LAB #2 - π οΈ LAB Activity
RP2040-Zero - <topic> - LAB #3 - π οΈ LAB Activity
Getting Started - Python
Getting Started - Python
Documents:Β
Getting Started User Guide
Getting Started User Guide - π° Slide Presentation (Coming Soon)
Getting Started User Guide - π Tutorial
Sort or Delete:
https://github.com/zephyrproject-rtos/zephyr/blob/main//boards/waveshare/rp2040_zero/doc/index.rst
Motor Control board, 2-4 motors with external Battery power for motors, like Revolution Robotics
LCD 2x16 display... And other types
Just a good breakout board - led status
Sensors - temp/motion/IMU Sensor board
PCB breakout boardΒ
SPI, I2C , and other Connector and communication protocols
Questions:
2 Analog pins, Right?
Motor Control board, 2-4 motors with external Battery power for motors, like Revolution Robotics
LCD 2x16 display... And other types
Just a good breakout board - led status
Sensors - temp/motion/IMU Sensor board
PCB breakout boardΒ
SPI, I2C , and other Connector and communication protocols
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 thisβ¦ and I would really appreciate understanding that. Please send me feedback on my Questions or Feedback form. Please donβt 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 thisβ¦ and I would really appreciate understanding that. Please send me feedback on my Questions or Feedback form. Please donβt 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.orgΒ
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.Β Please go toΒ the Teachers & Partner Page, check out my Licensing and fill out my Collaboration and Curriculum Request Form.Β 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:
Iβll work on getting these in, but itβs the last thing I want to work on :-) When I have them updated, Iβll move to the top of the Lesson Plan.Β
NGSS: <list standard numbers>
California CTE Standards: <list standard numbers>
Related Instructional Objectives (SWBAT):Β <list standard numbers>
CCSS: nnn, RSIT: nnn, RLST: nnn, WS: nnn, WHSST: nnn, A-CED: nnn, ETS: nnnΒ <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 -Β
Images:
Images:
https://imgbin.com/png/ZJtzkYZZ/under-construction-png
Random Stuff To Sort
Random Stuff To Sort
Resource Key:
Resource Key:
<Unit> - <Module Name> - Lessons - Daily/Weekly Lesson Plan
<Unit> - <Module Name> - Lessons - Daily/Weekly Lesson Plan
Key: π° Slides / Audio π§ / π½οΈβΆοΈ Video/YouTube / π§βΆοΈπ½οΈ Audio/Video / β¨ Resources /Β πΌοΈ Tutorial / π Reading Activity / π Writing Activity / π π Reading/Writing / π Coding / π οΈ LAB Activity / π Quiz /Β π Review /Β βοΈ Mastery Check / βοΈ Sign Up /π Extra Credit / πΈοΈ Web Links / π©π½βππ§π½βππ§πΏβππ©βπ« Class / π΅οΈππ Certificate / ποΈ π Collecting Survey Data / page or pdf π
/π§ Review / π¦Ύ Practice / πLevel Up /
ποΈπ¦π€π―Β π§
- π¦ Special Project -
Assignment Type: β Establishing (Minimum Standard) / βοΈ Developing (Digging Deeper) / π Aspiring (Putting It Together)
This is an β Establishing Assignment (Minimum Standard)Β - "Everyone Do" Assignment
This is an βοΈ Developing (Digging Deeper) - "Everyone Should Do, To Stretch" Assignment
This is an π Aspiring (Putting It Together)Β - "When you have done the β Establishing andβοΈ Developing" Assignment
π«πFormative Quiz - π Review
π Formative Quiz - π Review
1οΈβ£ Quiz -π Mastery Path
1οΈβ£π Summative Quiz -βοΈ Skills Mastery Check
Quiz - verify that they are all listed as a "Formative", "Mastery Path", or "Summative"Β
π 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.Β while I want them to ger 100%, and when it's set to unlimited tries, the student should get 100% eventually.Β 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.Β I also put the explanation of the right and wrong answer in the right and wrong answer prompt for each question.Β That way they can see why they got the answer wrong and learn from that experience.Β Β
8.1.0.3.2.4 - Python - Ch 3 - Functions - Quiz #2 -Built-In Functions - π Formative Quiz
π Quiz -π 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. Β The goal is to let students have 2 chances to take this quiz, and take the average of the 2 attempts.Β 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.Β This will get them ready to take the Summative Quizzes.
8.1.0.3.3.1 -Β Python - Ch 3 - Functions - Mastery Quiz #1 - π Quiz -π Mastery Path
π Summative Quiz -βοΈ 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. Β 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 -Β Python - Ch 3 - Functions - Skills Mastery Check Quiz #1 - π Summative Quiz -βοΈ Skills Mastery Check
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