- Chapter 1: Introduction
Provides a brief summary of the book and the goals.
- Chapter 2: What is STEM
This chapter will expand on the meaning of STEM and why each area is important. How it is good to understand the differences. The authors have found there is a bit of confusion and not many examples of good definitions.
o Science: Expand knowledge
o Technology: Tools and methods to use
o Engineering: Solve problems and develop tools
o Math: Communication tools to explain the world
- Chapter 3: Arduino Basics
This includes a short history of the Arduino and the basics of how to use it.
- Chapter 4: Raspberry Pi Basics
Short history of the Raspberry Pi and how it works.
- Chapter 5: Data Logging Basics
This section will demonstrate a couple of methods using the Arduino and Raspberry Pi for capturing and logging date.
- Chapter 6: Math for Science and Engineering
Concepts related to graphing and algebra will be covered in this section. Also the difference between weight, pressure, temperature and mass.
- Chapter 7: Simple ProjectsThis section explains several simple projects that can provide date on some basic physical properties.
o Force: use of the force sensor.o Temperature: measuring temperature with two types of sensors.
o Capturing counts: methods to capture counts of events.
- Chapter 8: Math for Time and Other Dependent Functions
This section will highlight some key math concepts such as time or condition dependency and how they can be used to analyze data and model or simulate system responses.
- Chapter 9: Time/Condition Dependent Projects
These projects gather data that may change based on time. The projects will show ways to measure and capture the data along with time stamps data.
o Friction: Friction force can change between motion and the onset of motion.
o Acceleration: sometimes acceleration is confused with velocity, but they are different. This project highlights that difference and a unique sensor to measure acceleration.
o Zero gravity: Unique project that shows how the zero gravity simulator plane works.
o Heat transfer: While we often measure temperature, heat transfer is really an important aspect, and this project shows how to measure it.
- Chapter 10: Other Projects
This section details additional interesting projects.
o Astro photography: This section will show how to use a Raspberry Pi to capture beautiful images of the moon and several planets.o Light/radiation: One inexpensive sensor will be highlighted that can measure light intensity in different wave lengths like infrared or visible light.
- Chapter 11: Conclusion
- Chapter 12: References
This section provides some additional information to aid the researcher to develop and build projects.
o Design and decision: Design tools and decision methods will be discussed.
o Safety concepts: Several sa
About the Author: Paul Bradt has a BS in Computer Science from University of Houston Clear Lake. He currently runs a small company that provides IT support and works as a contractor developing various computer programs. He has worked extensively with microcomputers like Arduino and Pi and believes them to be excellent tools for developing an understanding of how electronic components and hardware interact in integrated systems. He also believes they are very useful as teaching aids in learning the basics of computer programming. Paul likes to promote STEM concepts through hands-on techniques.
David Bradt has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University with many years of experience in engineering, safety, reliability, industrial equipment, petrochemical and NASA. He likes using tools like the Raspberry Pi and the Arduino to capture data to help form the basis for informed analysis of the physical world. He enjoys building all kinds of systems and is an amateur astronomer.
