💡 Arduino Inventors Lab: Smart Systems & Displays (Level 3)

This advanced, 6-week Level 3 course challenges students to think like engineers and inventors, designing integrated smart systems that sense, process, and display information. Building on Arduino Engineering Lab (Level 2), learners now explore how data can be measured, visualized, and used to drive creative, responsive designs.

Through guided video lessons and teacher feedback, students will program RGB LEDs, use analog sensors to read temperature or light, and display values or status messages on LCD dashboards. They’ll combine multiple components into cohesive prototypes—just like real product designers—while applying coding, electronics, and data-analysis skills.

By the end of the course, learners will have created an original “Smart Device” prototype that collects input, responds intelligently, and communicates results through lights, sound, or on-screen data.

By the end of this course, students will:

• Integrate multiple sensors and outputs to build fully functional smart systems.
   
• Map analog sensor data and display results on LCD or RGB interfaces.
   
• Apply variables, arrays, and mathematical functions for data processing.
   
• Design custom dashboards showing real-time sensor readings.
   
• Present a final capstone project that follows the engineering design cycle: plan → build → test → refine.

Phase C — Level 3: Smart Systems & Displays

Week 1 – Analog  Inputs & Sensors  Concepts Covered

Week 1 – Analog Inputs & Sensors Reading variable data (temperature / light)Love-O-Meter – Measure sensor input and output color feedback.

Week 2 – Color & Light Feedback RGB mixing + PWM control Color Mixing Lamp – Blend RGB values to visualize data changes.

Week 3 – User Indicators Conditional logic + status displays Mood Cue – Display system state using LEDs or LCD text.

Week 4 – LCD Programming Displaying sensor data + formatted output Mini Weather Station – Show temperature and light readings.

Week 5 – System Integration Combining inputs and outputs in one program Smart Environment Monitor – Multi-sensor dashboard build.

Week 6 – Capstone Project Student-designed Smart Device Final prototype – Present and document data collected from the system. 

• Computer (Windows or Mac) with USB port + Arduino IDE software (free).
   
• Arduino Official Starter Kit (K000007) or equivalent, including RGB LEDs, analog sensors, and LCD module.
   
• Optional: Additional sensors (temperature, photoresistor, potentiometer) and extra jumper wires for custom projects.
   
• Internet connection for video lessons and project feedback.

MTC instructors are certified STEM educators and industry mentors experienced in electronics, coding, and design thinking. They help students integrate complex systems while encouraging creativity, precision, and real-world application of STEM concepts.

This self-paced course is intended for students with previous Arduino experience (Level 1 and 2 recommended). Parents may assist with kit ordering and basic setup. Supervision is suggested when handling tools or electrical components during assembly and testing.

NGSS

• MS-ETS1: Engineering Design — Define problems, develop solutions, optimize designs.
   
• MS-PS3: Energy — Apply energy transfer concepts to electrical systems.
   
• MS-PS2: Motion and Stability — Explore forces and electromagnetic interactions.
   

CSTA

• 3A-AP-16: Integrate hardware inputs and outputs into computational artifacts.
   
• 3B-AP-21: Develop modular programs to model real-world systems.
   
• 3B-IC-27: Use data to make informed decisions about technology design and impact.