SMART:Blox S1B Programming Set for Primary Education S.T.E.M.

Description

The S1B programming set is an advanced STEM set that offers a wealth of activities and programming commands and is an essential learning tool in a wide range of programming applications and experiences.

It comes with the ARD:icon microcontroller based on the open architecture of the ARDUINO family of controllers, specially designed by Polytech for simple “plug and play” use by students.

It uses open source drivers and a simple but powerful and flexible programming environment in order to make programming accessible to the general (student) audience, and has surface markings so that students can identify each input, output, communication, power, and other necessary connection port.

The system includes the programmable microcontroller ARD:icon, accompanied by a series of peripheral devices, sensors and actuators, Polytech’s ARD:icon development and programming software with the necessary teaching and supporting educational material, ideal for elementary school students.

Its design makes the system ideal for training in programming and controlling devices through the board language, as well as introducing programming in Arduino and C/C++ languages. It allows students with no experience, background in electronic circuits and computer knowledge to learn programming by creating basic control circuits, implementing exciting technical activities.

The S1B programming set comes with a set of placement guides of compatible bricks (Lego type) and a base for placing/building the activities. These plastic parts (Lego type) are durable and suitable for use by children.

It is selected as a suitable educational material in primary STEM-Robotics education in Primary School (grades 5-6) by the Hellenic Ministry of Education.

Contents of the S1B Programming Set

IMPORTANT NOTE: Additions to the S1 Programming Set are mentioned here in bold. Stikethrough notes parts of the S1 Programming Set that were removed here.

• ARD:icon microprocessor including:
  • 4 analog I/O Ports RJ11
  • 5 RJ11 digital I/O Ports
  • 1 Joystick/RJ11 port
  • 1 serial COM port
  • 1 SPI serial synchronous communication port/RJ11
  • 1 I2C communication port for interfacing with other ADR:icon/RJ11
  • Connect to a tablet or computer
  • Ability to program with block commands in basic level learning applications: math operations, geometry, trigonometry, functions, variables and constants, repetition, delay, real-time functions, loop programming, robotic motion programming, etc.
• Base for bricks (Lego type)
• Cases for compatible bricks (Lego type) for placing circuits
• Analog sound sensor (Microphone)
• Angle/rotation sensor
• Pressure switch
• Infrared receiver
• Infrared transmitter
• Active buzzer
• Magnetic switch
• PIR motion sensor
• Humidity temperature sensor
• LDR light sensor
• Thin film pressure sensor
• Ultrasonic distance sensor
• Infrared obstacle avoidance sensor
• HALL magnetic field sensor
• LEDs of various colors (Red, Green, Yellow, Blue)
• Step motor with propeller
• Servo motor
• Laser unit
• LCD screen
• RJ11 Extension Unit
• RJ11 cables to 3-pin interface B, 6-pin, 30 cm
• USB cable
• ARD:icon© software

In-Depth of the S1B Programming Set

The ARD:icon Microcontroller

ARD:icon is a microcontroller based on the open architecture of the ARDUINO controller family, specially designed by Polytech for simple “plug and play” use by students.

It uses open source guides and a simple but powerful and flexible programming environment in order to make programming accessible to the general (student) audience.
The set is equipped with a set of accessory passive devices (sensors and interfaces) and is an ideal introduction to computer science and computational/algorithmic thinking.

It comes with Polytech ARD:icon programming environment. It can also be programmed with various programming environments for ARDUINO (also known as IDEs (Integrated Development Environments), available through ARD:icon.

The microcontroller device is integrated in a durable plastic box. It features markings on its surface so that students can identify each input, output, communication, power and other necessary connection port. It has operation light indicators for various states (Download, Run, Compile).

The sensors and the micro-devices are connected to ARD:icon via RJ11 cables (6-wire array) thus avoiding micro-wiring circuits, pins, connection errors, short circuits, loss of teaching time/time for circuit assembly and disassembly and teaching time is devoted to the planning of each circuit and the main theme of the activity. Each set has 8 RJ 11 cables 30 cm long.

In conjunction with the ARD:icon software application, students focus on control system design and programming, operation logic, using the application’s icon environment (Icon based GUI), specially designed and implemented by Polytech for teaching purposes.

Technical characteristics

• CPU: ATmega328P-PU
• Flash memory: 32 KB
• SRAM: 2KB
• Storage capacity EEPROM: 1KB
• Clock frequency: 16 MHZ
• Restart option
• Ability to connect via USB, to a device with Android or Windows OS

Power Supply

When connected to a tablet or computer via a USB port, no external power is needed. No batteries are required to operate the set.

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