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Creating High School Lesson Plans to Share with the World. Using Python, Raspberry PI, Arduino, 3D Printing.

Former Member

Hi everyone!

 

  1. My name is Kevin Crossett and I’m an Engineering Design teacher at a high school in Southern California. I have a B.S. in Technology Education and a Masters degree in Education Technology. I would like to develop professional systematic lesson plans that I can share with teachers around the world in regard to creating products using the Arduino, Raspberry Pi and Python in conjunction with 3D Printing. My experience level with Python, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi is a beginner level, and I am reaching out to get any support I can.  The problem I have given my  20 high school engineering students is that they must design, build, and test a 1/10th scaled remote controlled (RC) vehicle that can be controlled remotely over the schools wi-fi signal by the computer in the classroom. We also want a live video feed using a webcam.  We have a BFB 3000 3D printer (we are getting a Makerbot in 6 months) and a computer lab. Students are currently using SketchUp and create .stl files of their wheels and chassis for their RC vehicles and we have printed out their wheels and chassis so far.

*We are developing a website so we can share our progress. (Still under development). Will be done Jan. 2013.

My first set of questions:Do I need to buy an Arduino and a Raspberry Pi? We have learned that the Arduino is for sensors and Raspberry Pi will be used to run the Python program.
What else do I need for this project?

  • - Camera: (I have found the Playstation Eye is best. Can anyone confirm this?)
  • - Any idea on Wireless cards? Has anyone had luck with Eye-Fi SD cards? I’m guessing I should stick to a wireless card. Which one should we get?
  • - Does anyone have lines of Python code I can copy and paste?
  • - Is it a good idea to use Portable Python, or should I just download Python to the hard drive. I’m guessing I should just download it.
  • - What other accessories do I need for a project like this? Flashdrive? LAN Flashdrive? Cables? Sensors? Wireless card on the computer?

 

Any advice? Do you know a better way?

- Instead of schools wifi is Bluetooth a better option? GPS? Our range is 3 football fields.

 

Does anyone know of any links or resources that would help us out?

 

Thank you for your time and we look forward to your response.

 

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  • Kevin, A lot of questions there !

     

    I don't really have that much experience in a lot of the things you ask, there are some much more qualified people here that will hopefully be along to give more in-depth answers. However, I would comment as follows:

     

    Are you sure you need an Arduino and a raspberry pi? There is a hell of a lot of information out there for robotics using the Arduino alone. There is also a growing band of information on the Raspberry pi, see here http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=37

     

    No idea about the camera i'm afraid - try the Raspi forum. with regards to Wireless Cards, I have had good results with a very cheap ($8) USB wireless Dongle. Wireless configuration on The Pi is a lot easier than it used to be, a number of drivers are now included. Not sure if this would stretch to the Wi-Fi card, do you have any idea of the chipset the card uses?

    With regards to this project specifically, You are obviously gonig to need motors, some sort of sensor ( at least proximity I would think), a failsafe to stop if it goes out of wireless range. Controlling motors on the arduino and Pi can be tricky because of power requirements - you'll also need an H bridge to drive the motors. There is an article in the current Magpi magazine that talks about building a robot from a Bigtrack - take this as a starting place, but do not use the circuit it describes as it is badly designed. See the thread on this site regarding the Magpi magazine and you'll see the numerous bits of feedback on that article specifically. Motor driver chips would be a better way to go, as described in the article I mention. I would also lay in a lot of wire, plenty of breadboards for prototyping, some basic components such as resistors, capacitors and the like. a Multimeter won't hurt either I guess. I would stick with Wireless rather than bluetooth, I don't think you will get the range with BT. Might also be worth thinking about Xbee or similar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XBee).

     

    I'd hit Google *Really* hard, there is a lot of information out there that will get you started. Go over to the Arduino Website (arduino.cc) if you haven't already, that will give you plenty of ideas.

     

    Steve

  • (1) you can find the list of part to make your own arduino,

     

    arduino and wifi shild from speeed it's got's bluetooth ,wifi and hook-it to a cellphone wireless network and use another phone to control it

  • Kevin,

    I'm in eastern North Carolina and will soon be putting together something for younger kids and we will also try some 3D printing. I hope we can share our experiences with all 4 items you list.

     

     

    Brian Grawburg

    Imagination Station Science Museum