Schedule

This page has a breakdown of the general content that we will cover in each class. Major project due dates are listed on this page, as are assignments, critique dates and links to notes. This schedule is subject to change.

Week 1

Tuesday, January 16th
Introductions, Expectations, Documentation, Fantasy Device

For Next Class:

Set up your Documentation Journal and write a brief post about what you made during the class activity.
Submit a link to your blog here.
Complete the Intro Survey
Read How to use a Breadboard, What is Electricity, and Electricity: The Basics

Thursday, January 18th
Basic Electronics, Identifying Components, Paper Circuits, Documenting & Photographing Hardware

For Next Class:

Read pages 1-40 of There are No Electrons: Electronics for Earthlings (access pdf through Canvas)
Watch Schematics Videos - Intro, Basic Symbols, and Review
Watch Ohm’s Law Part 1 and Part 2
Read Alternating Current vs. Direct Current

Week 2

Tuesday, January 23rd
Electricity, Ohm’s Law, AC vs. DC, Series and Parallel Circuits, Switches

For Next Class:

Read Chapter 1 of The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
Read Chris Crawford’s What Exactly Is Interactivity
Watch 3 Ways Good Design Makes You Happy

Thursday, January 25th
BTU Orientation, Interactivity, Feedback Loops, Design Discussion

For Next Class:

Complete Lab 1

Week 3

Tuesday, January 30th
Intro to Microcontrollers, Arduino IDE, Digital Input / Output
Lab 1

For Next Class:

Thursday, February 1st
Microcontrollers, Programming for Arduino, Laser Cut Enclosures, Introduce Project 1

Week 4

Tuesday, February 6th
Sewable Electronics, Digital Fabrication, Work Time

Thursday, February 8th
Laser Cutting, Work Time

Week 5

Tuesday, February 13th
Project 1 Discussion, Blog Critique, Analog Input, Variable Resistors, Serial Monitor
Lab 2
Project 1 Proposal

For Next Class:

Thursday, February 15th
Analog Input, Sensors, Analog Output, PWM vs. Frequency Modulation

Week 6

Tuesday, February 20th
Analog In/Out, Sensors

Thursday, February 22nd
Review, Making Sounds, Project Check-in
Lab 3

Week 7

Tuesday, February 27th
Test 1

Thursday, March 1st
User Testing, Work Time
P1 Playtesting

Week 8

Tuesday, March 6th
Fritzing, Schematics, Work Time

Thursday, March 8th
Project 1

Week 9

Tuesday, March 13th
Introduction to Serial Communication

Thursday, March 15th
Project 2 Discussion, Serial Communication with P5JS

Week 10

Tuesday, March 20th
Serial Communication with P5JS, Introduce Project 2

Thursday, March 22nd
Open Source Hardware, Prototyping and Design Discussion
Lab 4

Week 11

SPRING BREAK - NO CLASSES

Week 12

Tuesday, April 3rd
Review project proposals, Introduction to Motors
Project 2 Proposal

Thursday, April 5th
SPARKFUN CLASS TOUR
Arielle’s class @ 1pm, Melissa’s class @ 3:45pm
If you have a schedule conflict, please discuss this with your instructor

Week 13

Tuesday, April 10th
Transistors, Relays, High Current Loads, Mechanisms

Thursday, April 12th
Wireless Communication, IoT, Networking
Lab 5

Week 14

Tuesday, April 17th
Test 2

Thursday, April 19th
DIY Arduino, Custom Circuit Design

Week 15

Tuesday, April 24th
User Testing
P2 Playtesting

Thursday, April 26th
Work Time

Week 16

Tuesday, May 1st
Work Time

ATLAS EXPO Wednesday, May 2nd 5-6:30pm

Thursday, May 3rd
Project 2

Finals Week

Monday, May 7th (by end of day)
Project 2 Documentation