PTC RoboMax August
2025 Curriculum
Note: All August activities are designed as upgrades to the July curriculum using the
same available components.
- Classes 1-2: Reinforcement and enhancement of foundational circuit logic and
component understanding with more interactive tasks.
- Classes 3-5: Advanced mechanical integration, feedback systems, and creativity-
oriented robotics extensions.
- Classes 6-9: Refinement of Arduino skills, introduction to enhanced sensor fusion,
memory-based logic, and basic AI-aligned applications using existing sensors.
Class 1: Building Smarter Interactive Circuits
1. Smart Lamp with Dual Trigger (LDR + Switch)
- Objective: Combine automatic and manual control for a lamp.
- Components: Battery, LED, LDR, switch, wires.
- Tasks: LED turns on in darkness or manually via a switch.
- Learning Outcome: Understand combining two control inputs.
2. Multi-LED Pattern Game
- Objective: Reinforce LED pattern control.
- Components: Battery, LEDs, push-button switches, resistors, wires.
- Tasks: Students create their own LED blinking patterns.
- Learning Outcome: Learn switch logic and visual feedback.
3. Musical Circuit V2 (Theremin + Buzzer Combo)
- Objective: Add variety to sound using variable resistors.
- Components: Buzzer, potentiometer, battery, switch, wires.
- Tasks: Adjust tone and pitch for multiple sound patterns.
- Learning Outcome: Explore sound manipulation using resistance.
Class 2: Circuit Logic Expansion and Sequential Control
1. OR Gate Logic Circuit
- Objective: Introduce logic gate variation from previous month.
- Components: Battery, 2 switches, LED, wires.
- Tasks: LED lights if either switch is closed.
- Learning Outcome: Grasp basic digital logic expansion.
2. Room Light Control with Dual Input
- Objective: Combine LDR and switch to control two LEDs.
- Components: LEDs, battery, LDR, switches, wires.
- Tasks: One LED lights on low light, another with a button.
- Learning Outcome: Implement multi-input multi-output logic.
3. Manual Traffic Light with Delay Logic
- Objective: Add timing between state changes.
- Components: 3 LEDs (red, yellow, green), switches, battery, wires.
- Tasks: Add a wait time (manual) between traffic phases.
- Learning Outcome: Understand sequencing and delays.
Class 3: Mechanism Application and Robot Handling
1. Wheeled Robot Manual Steering
- Objective: Use switches to change directions.
- Components: Robot chassis, motors, DPDT switches, battery.
- Tasks: Implement left, right, and reverse using motor control.
- Learning Outcome: Apply manual logic to robot movement.
2. Obstacle-Pusher Robot
- Objective: Make a robot that pushes small blocks ahead.
- Components: Chassis, motors, push front shield, DPDT switch.
- Tasks: Push the blocks ahead.
- Learning Outcome: Motor control + collision handling.
3. Drawbot (Marker Robot)
- Objective: Make robot draw patterns while moving.
- Components: Motors, marker, battery, switch.
- Tasks: Draw anything with your bot.
- Learning Outcome: Movement pattern + creativity with design.
Class 4: Input-Output Systems with Practical Functions
1. Smart Light + Sound Alert Combo
- Objective: Trigger light and buzzer via different inputs.
- Components: LDR, push-button, LED, buzzer, wires.
- Tasks: LDR triggers light; button triggers buzzer.
- Learning Outcome: Differentiate input-output paths.
2. Reaction Challenge Game
- Objective: Test student reaction times using circuit feedback.
- Components: Push buttons, LED, buzzer, wires.
- Tasks: First to press after a visual cue activates their LED/buzzer.
- Learning Outcome: Understand real-time response.
3. Auto Cut-Off Alarm System
- Objective: Enhance tripwire alarm with time-based reset.
- Components: Reed switch, buzzer, wires (optional capacitor).
- Tasks: Auto reset buzzer after activation.
- Learning Outcome: Learn timed deactivation logic.
Class 5: Environment-Controlled Motor and Design Applications
1. Solar Tracker Prototype
- Objective: Mimic how solar panels rotate towards light.
- Components: LDR, servo/motor (mock), flashlight, cardboard base.
- Tasks: Toggle direction for maneuvering.
- Learning Outcome: Light sensing + directional logic.
2. Temprature Controlled Door Fan
- Objective: Fan turns on only if temp is high & door is closed.
- Components: Thermistor, switch (as door sensor), motor, LED.
- Tasks: Increase or decrease the temprature to understand the working.
- Learning Outcome: Multi-condition activation logic.
3. Smart Fan with Pre-Alert LED
- Objective: Add a warning LED before fan activation.
- Components: Thermistor, motor, LED, wires.
- Tasks: LED lights before fan activates at threshold.
- Learning Outcome: Step-wise condition handling.
Class 6: Integrated Feedback Systems and Sensor Control
1. Brightness Control with Override
- Objective: Combine LDR with potentiometer.
- Components: LED, LDR, potentiometer, battery, wires.
- Tasks: Adjust LED brightness via light and manual input.
- Learning Outcome: Sensor + manual fusion.
2. Visual Parking Distance Indicator
- Objective: Add a 4th LED for enhanced distance feedback.
- Components: Ultrasonic sensor, 4 LEDs, wires.
- Tasks: Show distances using sequential lights.
- Learning Outcome: Graduated response to sensor data.
3. Timed Reset Burglar Alarm
- Objective: Add reset feature after LDR activation.
- Components: LDR, buzzer, optional capacitor, wires.
- Tasks: Reset after 5 seconds of buzzer alert.
- Learning Outcome: Automate response termination.
Class 7: Arduino Coding Practice and Input Sequencing
1. PWM Fading Traffic Light
- Objective: Replace on/off LEDs with fading.
- Components: Arduino, LEDs, resistors, wires.
- Tasks: Implement analogWrite() for transitions.
- Learning Outcome: Understand PWM and animation.
2. Button Memory Game
- Objective: Remember a light sequence and repeat.
- Components: Buttons, LEDs, Arduino.
- Tasks: Press buttons in right order or reset.
- Learning Outcome: Conditional memory logic.
3. Score Counter with Feedback Buzzer
- Objective: Add sound to score milestones.
- Components: Button, LCD or serial monitor, buzzer.
- Tasks: Sound buzzer every 5th point.
- Learning Outcome: Conditional outputs and milestones.
Class 8: Automation and Enhanced Response Control
1. Multi-Level Water Detector
- Objective: Add more levels to detection.
- Components: Water sensor, 3 LEDs, Arduino.
- Tasks: Indicate low, mid, high levels.
- Learning Outcome: Multi-threshold sensor logic.
2. Obstacle Avoidance with Directional Turns
- Objective: Adjust robot turn based on obstacle side.
- Components: Ultrasonic sensor, motors, Arduino.
- Tasks: Turn left/right depending on detection angle.
- Learning Outcome: Sensor-based decision making.
3. Fan Alert System with Brightness Trigger
- Objective: Pre-activate LED before fan.
- Components: LDR, LED, motor, Arduino.
- Tasks: LED triggers slightly before fan.
- Learning Outcome: Sequential automation control.
Class 9: Condition-Based Automation and Logic Flow
1. Servo Door Lock with Password Sequence
- Objective: Unlock via correct button sequence.
- Components: Arduino, servo, 3 push-buttons.
- Tasks: Enter order 1-2-3 to unlock.
- Learning Outcome: Basic password logic.
2. Smart Pedestrian Traffic Light
- Objective: Wait before light turns red after button press.
- Components: LEDs, push-button, Arduino.
- Tasks: Countdown simulation before light change.
- Learning Outcome: Time-based transition control.
3. Temperature Logger with Threshold Warning
- Objective: Log temp and warn if threshold crossed.
- Components: LM35, LED, Arduino.
- Tasks: Print temp to serial and blink LED on high temp.
- Learning Outcome: Analog data reading + logging.
***
