Arduino & Blocks coding

Description

Students begin their StarTec journey by exploring the foundations of programming, electronics, and computational thinking using Arduino and TinkerCAD Blocks Coding.

They learn how electronic systems receive information through inputs, process that information using programmed logic, and control outputs to produce a physical response.

Starting with LEDs, Push Buttons, Slider Switches, and Potentiometers, students gradually explore Digital and Analog concepts while developing essential programming skills such as Variables, Conditions, Logical and Arithmetic Operations, Functions, Flowcharts, and Serial Communication.

Rather than learning coding as an isolated subject, students immediately use their programs to control real electronic systems and make them respond intelligently to different inputs.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the basic architecture of Input → Processing → Output systems.
• Distinguish between Digital and Analog signals.
• Configure and control Digital Inputs and Outputs using Arduino.
• Read Push Buttons and Slider Switches.
• Read variable Analog values using a Potentiometer.
• Control LED brightness using PWM.
• Use Variables to store and manipulate information.
• Apply Arithmetic Operations within programs.
• Use if conditions to create decision-making systems.
• Combine multiple conditions using Logical Operations.
• Design simple Flowcharts before building a program.
• Create and use Functions to organize programs.
• Send information through Serial Communication.
• Receive simple commands through Serial Communication.
• Combine multiple Inputs and Outputs within one system.
• Test, troubleshoot, and improve simple Arduino programs.
• Translate a simple real-world problem into programmable logic.
• Build a strong foundation in Programming Logic and Electronic Control.