Syllabus and Schedule
Syllabus and Course Policies
Daily Schedule (last updated: 27 Nov 2023)
Community Based Learning
-
- YMCA Volunteer Form
- Responsible Travel Form
- CBL Best Practices
- CBL: Guidelines for interacting with minors [pdf]; Completed Training Sign-In Sheet [.docx]
- Team/School Assignments [.xlsx]
- Written Reflection Assignment [.docx] [.pdf]
-
CBL Modules
- Circuit diagrams [.pdf] and Instructional Tips [.pdf];
- School activity (salt water circuit) [.pdf] and Wave 2 activity [pdf];
- School activity (solar panel demo) [.pdf] and Wave 2 activity [.pdf]
- School activity (halloween paper circuits) [.pdf] and Wave 1 activity [.pdf]
- School activity (wire maze) [.pdf] and Wave 1 activity [.pdf]
- School activity (dc STEM car) [.pdf]; motor kits figures [.pdf]
Exams
Integrative Assignments
Solar Tracker Project
| Guidebook Chapters aka “Lab Manuals” | Due Date | Resources and References | Materials from Class (slides, workshops) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grading and Feedback Rubric | used all term long | Lab Advice (“Don’t just stand there, build something!”) [.pdf]
Tools for drawing circuit schematics [.pdf] |
|
| Lab 1: Voltage Dividers: light intensity sensor [.pdf] | 18 Sep | Breadboard Anatomy: Making connections [.pdf]
Adafruit: Photocells Tutorial by Lada Ada [.www] Example Arduino Sketch: AnalogIn_SerialOut.ino |
Voltage Dividers, Series-Parallel DC Circuits: Slides from class [.pptx]; Practice problems [.pdf] and solutions [.pdf] |
| Lab 2: Microcontrollers Intro: analog measurement meets digital control [.pdf] | 25 Sep | How potentiometers work [www]
How Servo Motors Work & Arduino Interfacing [www] Note: Many good resources linked within Lab Manual! |
Binary Math and Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC): Slides from class [.pptx] |
| Lab 3: Wheatstone Bridge: thermal monitoring system [.pdf] |
02 Oct | Thermistor datasheet from Vishay Electronics
Getting Started With Matlab [.pdf] |
Wheatstone Bridge: Practice problems [.pdf] and solutions [.pdf];
WB Vout vs. deltaR derivation [.pdf] |
| Lab 4: Semiconductor Devices: LED, solar panel power measurement system [.pdf] |
09 Oct | Instr. Amp AD623 datasheet [www]
Solar panel data sheet (from PowerFilm) [.pdf] |
Semiconductors, PN junction [.pptx] and diode applications [.pptx]
Intro to amplifiers [.pptx]; Instrumentation amp worksheet [.pdf] and solutions/derivations [.pdf] |
| Lab 5: Tracking Solar Panel System [.pdf] |
30 Oct | Pan-Tilt Bracket Assembly [www]
NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (powered by the sun!) [www] and Parker Solar Probe [www] |
Design Project: AC circuits foundation + Choose your own adventure
| Guidebook Chapters aka “Lab Manuals” | Due Date | Resources and References | Materials from Class (slides, workshops) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab 6: RC filters: audio and biomedical applications [.pdf] | 31 Oct | Example matlab code: plotting theory vs. experiment [.m]; sample figure [.png]
Aliens audio file [.wav] |
RC filters – gentle intro. Slides from class [.pptx]
Making connections: oscilloscope & function generator wiring job [pdf] LeCroy WaveAce 101 manual [pdf] Audio Amp Connections [pdf] |
| Lab 7: Filters + Amplifiers: EMG System [.pdf]; Addendum: full EMG system [.pdf] | 13 Nov | Capacitors, Impedance, and LPF derivation workseet [.pdf] and solutions [.pdf] |
Phasor Math slides from class [.pptx];
Active Filters notes from class [.pdf] |
| Final Design Project Guidelines [.pdf] | 13 Dec | Final Design Proposals [.docx]
Final Design Project Guidelines and Grading Rubric [.pdf] |
Final Design Project Menu slides from class [.pptx];
|