Sunday, February 2, 2020

Introduction to practical electronics for children

I designed this 7-hour (one hour/day) course for 6 graders, as part of their STEM curriculum.
The goal is to introduce the children to practical electronics and teach them about:

1. electronic parts/components: how to identify/recognize them, how to measure (using a multi-meter), what they are used for (role in an electronic circuit):
  • resistors (current reduction), variable resistor/potentiometer, trimmer
  • capacitors (energy accumulator), variable capacitor
  • transistors (amplification)
  • coils (inductors)
  • diodes, LEDs
  • speakers. microphones
  • buttons, switches
  • integrated circuits, processors
  • displays
  • sensors (light, magnetic, proximity/infrared/ultrasound)
  • servo motors
  • relays
2. how to solder (using a soldering station), how to place and position parts on a board, how to check connection, how to follow steps of an instruction manual;

3. electricity and electronics concept:
  • voltage, current, resistance;
  • AC vs DC
  • digital vs analog
  • oscillation
  • rectification
  • amplification
  • series, parallel
  • voltage transformation (AC)
  • voltage regulation (AC, DC)
4. basic understanding/reading of schematics (wiring, electrical connections).


Required materials

Course schedule

Day 1
theory: introduction to components; presentation and identification (1/2 hour)
practice: beginning soldering (1/2 hour) LED + resistor, using flux, soldering wire, wick, on prototype PCBs;

 Day 2
theory: introduction of a simple clock kit or another, more familiar to me, simple HDSP clock kit; assembly analysis, component placement and positioning;
practice: solder passive components on PCB; assemble the HDSP clock;

 Day 3
theory: more on components; introduction to schematics;
practice: solder the active components of the clock kit;

 Day 4
theory: electricity concepts (digital vs analog);
practice: finishing up the kit assembly; power, test, use;

Day 5
theory: electricity concepts (voltage, current, resistance); example of other kits;
practice: learn to use an ohm/volt/meter;

Day 6
theory: electronics concepts (oscillation, rectification, amplification, sound generation etc.);
practice: bring an electronic toy, working or not; disassembly, analysis, repair (if needed);

Day 7
practice: continuation from Day 6; identification of components used in the toy; understanding of how it works; modding/expanding functionality/adding LEDs, speaker, buttons etc.;


We are already on "Day 3", but behind schedule. Soldering is harder for the kids than I originally thought. One thing that I overlooked was that each student needs individual attention/supervision on the practical side (soldering, component placement etc.). Half hour per day of hands-on practice is definitely too short at this level. The schedule may be a little aggressive for the average Grade 6, probably better suited for older and more disciplined students. In any case, I am working on adjusting the content of the course and the feedback I receive is amazing. Kids really enjoy the fact that it is practical and some of them are amazed when they see the LEDs they soldered actually lighting up.


Posted by FlorinC at 4:14 PM
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