Physical computing is computing that interacts with the physical world.  We will explore this in multiple forms, emphasizing the interconnections among 3D printing, robotics, interactivity, and microcontrollers.  This program can be an introduction to programming, integrating the arts, engineering and computing.  It is also open to students who want to explore more advanced work in computing and robotics.

Students will learn how to program and connect Arduino microcontrollers, connecting programming with sensors, motors and displays, e.g., to build interactive devices. 

For Robotics, we will explore programming, image processing, and AI.  One of the robots we will use is the Scribbler by Parallax. Students will work on a project in groups after learning the basics about the robot. They will also learn the fundamentals of programming in Python, which is a powerful scripting language. This is ideal for students who have programmed in another language. Students will develop an understanding of the object-oriented programming paradigm, program design, and problem solving. Students can also find parts for their work at thrift stores, then integrate them using 3D printed interconnections. 

Students will develop final projects that use the systems above, with the option to explore other areas such as the Raspberry Pi computer or wireless mobile devices.