As the first trimester on the Hilltop came to an end, Mr. Roemer’s Engineering: Digital Electronics, Robotics, and Microcontrollers Class was tasked with a fascinating final project. “Students were to solve a problem of personal interest by designing and creating a solution that utilized an Arduino controlled system,” says Roemer, going on to explain for the layman that “an Arduino is a ‘minicomputer’ that students program to complete certain actions. They had to design a ‘system’ or project that used one of these mini computers to control how their project functioned.” Meeting regularly in KUA’s Maker Space and STEM lab, projects drew from experiences and material learned over the entire first trimester of this year-long course and were to improve quality of life by accomplishing a specific task-oriented goal with, of course, a solid footing in scientific inquiry.
Projects goals ranged from creating “an Arduino stirrer that allows me to stir my hot chocolate from up to 25 feet away” says Asher ’17, to Cory ‘18’s goal of creating an Arduino fire alarm. “The goal was to detect infrared light and make LEDs and an alarm turn on when the sensor reads a specific value.” Others set out to create a calculator, cell phone, barometer, LED equalizer, and even an instrument to play string quartets. While varying levels of success were achieved, many students gained knowledge of computer coding, engineering, and design that they will take with them to college and beyond. “I learned that there are many ways to do one thing,” says Trent ’17.
With the second trimester under way, Mr. Roemer’s class has moved on to Part 2 of the course: 3D Modeling and Computer Aided Design where students will learn drafting, design, 3D modeling through CAD software, and manufacturing. Roemer states, “My goal for this course is to have students walk out with skills and knowledge that they can apply in their daily lives and give them a leg up in college." Thank you, Mr. Roemer, for sharing your project and stay tuned for more news from the Maker space!