IoT Club

What is IoT?

Internet is the most important and transformative technology ever invented. But it is mostly a product for people. Web email, eCommerce, social network, online games, sharing pictures and videos, all of these are created by people, for people and about people. The Internet of people is changing our live, and changing the world.

While there is a new emerging Internet that is going to change the world again! This new Internet is not only about connect people, but also connect things. That is the “Internet of Things (IoT)”:  Everything that used to be dumb and disconnected, now becomes wired and intelligent. Homes, cars, cities, farms and even our bodies will be wired with sensors and will talk to each other.

By 2020, there will be 50 billion connected devices communicating through the Internet. These devices provide data that offers new insights, and as they talk to each other, they can develop their own intelligence to make our life better. The Internet of Things will forever change our lives.

The Internet of Things has become one of the hottest topics in technology and everyone from small to large companies, universities, and now even governments has jumped on the bandwagon. Welcome to the exciting and emerging world of the Internet of Things!

Who is the course for?

Register

Students of grade 7 and up that has a passion and motivation to learn the computer hardware
and software related to IoT.

It is a challenging class that involves multiple technologies such as firmware programming, electronics, smart phone app development and cloud service.

Since we are promoting “Just in Time Learning”, there are not very much teaching in the class. Please only register this class if you are really interested in it.

There are no background knowledge requirements for this course. However basic computer programming skills can be great helpful and you are required to teach yourself to understand the following programming concept (in any computer language of your choice) BEFORE you go to the IoT class:

  • Know what is a variable and how to assign value to a variable.
  • Know how to compare variables.
  • Know what is “if … else” statement and how to use it.
  • Know basic loop statement such as “for loop” and “while loop”.
  • Know what is a “function”.

Again, your passion and motivation to learn IoT is very important for your success in this course.

What will you achieve?

From components to  system

From knowledge to vision

  • Get the basic electronics knowledge such as Ohm’s law, AC/DC, commonly used electronics components include resistors, diodes, LEDs, capacitors, relays and sensors.
  • Know how to program Particle Photon micro-computer by using C++.
  • Know how to work with IoT hub and Cloud service.
  • Get the knowledge to understand a microcomputer chip hardware specifications including power management and typical pin types.  Also exploring how to extend its functions via shield boards.
  • Get hands on experience on building an IoT system by integrating various components: microcomputers, sensors, controller components, IoT hubs, and cloud services.
  • Explore the opportunities and challenges of Internet of Things development.
  • Discuss the impact of the Internet of Things on society and everyday life

The Power of Just In Time Learning

How do we handle the challenge of learning multiple technologies simultaneously for IoT? The answer is “Just in Time Learning”. Your brain can learn faster and your memory can last longer when the knowledge is being acquired instead of being taught. When you learn just in time, you have a clear goal to reach or problems to solve. You are highly motivated and highly focused. In the field of information technology, just in time learning is more efficient than traditional school learning (a.k.a.: just in case learning).

Before each class, students will be assigned topics they need to research and learn. Google search keywords and some online tutorial links will be provided to help students to get started.

In the class, students will be questioned to make sure they did their homework. Any questions during their study will be discussed in the class. There won’t be “traditional teaching” in the class since we encourage students to use “just in time learning” to teach themselves before the class.

In the class students will focus on working on their projects.

Syllabus:

Basics

  • Overview of what is IoT
  • Overview of computer programming in C++ and Android smart phone app development with App Inventor 2
  • Overview electronics components and lab safety issues.
  • Introduction of Particle Photon micro computer
  • Connect Photon to the Particle.io cloud service.

Simple projects:

   

  • Use Photon to control LEDs with different flashing patterns
  • Use Photon to read a light sensor.
  • Use Photon to read a temperature sensor.
  • Use Photon to read a soil moisture sensor.
  • Use Photon to read a motion sensor.
  • Use Photon to connect to an OLED display.

Advanced projects:

  • Home security system that can send email to the owner when someone breaks in.
  • An internet weather station that can display weather
  • A smart flower pot that can send email to the owner when it needs watering.
  • A smart power switch that can be voice controlled from a smartphone.

 

TCEF IoT Starting Kit

We don’t want our students to forget what they’ve learned after this course. We would like to plant a seed for each student that can grow big one day. The students can optionally purchase our TCEF IoT starting kit so that they can continue to work on more projects after they finish the course or bring their work to school and show it to their teachers and friends.

TCEF IoT starting kit are carefully selected components which will enable you to build many projects with it. Components includes:

  • Particle Photon micro computer
  • Solderless breadboard and wires
  • Organic LED display
  • LEDs
  • Resistors.
  • Capacitors
  • Temperature and moisture sensors
  • Soil moisture sensors
  • Light sensor
  • Motion sensor
  • Smart Power outlet
  • Switches, jump wires
  • Micro USB cable

The Opportunities are Right There, Are You READY???

Register

In the early 2017, a 10 year old boy invented a car seat warning system that can warning the parents if they left their baby in the car. He raised about $20,000 at gofundme.com and his story were widely covered by many medias. With the technology you will learn in our IoT classes, you can also build your own IoT smart car seat. There are many opportunities out there, you have to find them and apply what you’ve learned to solve real world problems!

IoT Example Projects 

The following are some of the projects done by middle school students. If they can do it, so can you!

A Smart, Low Cost, Social Network Connected, Community Sprinkler, by middle school student.

Car seat alarm system to remind parents that their child is in the backseat, by middle school student.