This is a practical introductory course in electronics for students taking Technical Studies or D&T, especially suitable for the lower secondary classes. The student will be exposed to using electronic circuit as a technology platform when designing and building an artefact. The emphasis of the course is on the application of electronic circuits in enhancing an artefact.

Objectives:

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

• Appreciate the application of electronic circuit in artefact design.
• Understand the use of sensors and motors.
• Be able to properly mount a circuit board in an artefact.
• Learn how to solder and extend components (like switches and LEDs) to a circuit board.
• Complete a working artefact with an electronic circuit.

Course Outline:

Session 1 (1.5 hrs)

• Soldering practice on specially designed PCB to build students’ confidence and intuition.
• Introduction to light, water/moisture, motion and switch sensors.
• Demonstration of working artefacts to illustrate their applications.

Session 2 (2.5 hrs)

• Construction of an artefact of the student’s choice.
• Testing the completed artefact and basic trouble shooting.
• Question and feedback.

Fee: $65.00 per student

Material supplied

• Course manual
• Soldering kit
• Electronic circuit (one choice of two types)
• Material to construct an artefact

Tools required: to be supplied by school

• Soldering iron (25-30 watts)
• Soldering iron stand
• Small side cutter (not wire stripper)
• Long nose pliers
• Soldering board (optional, to protect work table)
• Overhead or LCD projector

Mechatronics Enrichment Course

– Application-based -

This hands-on course is aimed at introducing students to the use of a servo or geared motor in the design of artefact. It is suitable for upper secondary students taking Technical Studies or D&T. Important emphasis is placed on the suitable applications of servo/motor in mechanisms like lever, cam, etc. The student is taught how to set the electronic controller and learn to link the motor to different mechanisms. This experience would be useful when designing and constructing an artefact. The student would keep the controller, servo/motor and mounting platform.

Objectives:

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

• Understand the use of servo/geared motor in different mechanisms.
• Properly mount a circuit board in an artefact.
• Use different methods of linking servo/motor to mechanisms.
• Appreciate the use of sensors and motor in artefact design.

Course Outline:

Session 1: (2.5 hrs.)

• Introduction to Intelligent Servo/Motor Controller.
• Practice mounting techniques of circuit board.

Session 2: (2.5 hrs.)

• Practice linking servo/motor for lever, cam and rotation system.
• Demonstration of sensor circuit & mechanism applications with working artefacts.

Fee: $70.00

Material supplied

• Course manual
• Soldering kit
• Intelligent motor controller and servo or DC geared motor
• Construction platform for mechanism.

Tools required: to be supplied by school

Screw drivers, small & medium (Philips type)

• Overhead or LCD projector

RoboCar Enrichment Course

- The fun starts when the course ends -

In this course, each participant will assemble his/her own robotic vehicle. The robot uses a twin-motor power unit with two LDR sensors to track a line. It is suitable for lower secondary students and gives them a fun and hands-on way to learn electronics and robotics. The course uses the skill and material knowledge already acquired in the first two years of technical studies.

The RoboCar is designed to follow a black line (black electrical tape) on a white surface. It is built on an acrylic chassis. A vacuum-formed body (not provided) for the vehicle can be added at a later stage to enhance the aesthetic. The student is free to express his or her design preferences in the body work.

The course assumes experience with basic workshop skill with hand tools and machines. It exposes the students to the relevance of theory and application, and the finished vehicles are suitable for inter-class competitions to raise the profile of D&T programme among school activities. Further suggestions are given for the individual student to improve the robot’s performance.

Objective

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

• Appreciate the use of light sensors, electronic control & geared motor.
• Appreciate the application of electronics in project worK.
• Understand the functions of a semi-autonomous robotic vehicle.
• Learn how to assemble a robotic vehicle independently.
• Complete and test the RoboCar, a semi-autonomous robot with sensors.

Course Outline

Session 1 (2.5 hours)

• Introduction to soldering and circuit assembly
• Assembly of the controller and sensor circuit board

Session 2 (2.5 hours)

• Assembly of a two-motor gear box
• Assembly of the robot chassis
• Function test of completed robot
• Performance test
• Hints on performance improvement

Fee: $65 per student

Material

Course Manuals

Complete kit of autonomous robot consisting of:

• A two-motor gear box.
• A set of 4 wheels.
• An acrylic vehicle chassis.
• RoboCar controller and sensor construction kit.

Facility to be provided by school

• A LCD projector with screen.
• Tools - soldering iron (35W), side cutters, Philips screwdriver and long-nose pliers.
• A standard classroom; furniture may be moved for robot testing.