SMAIR Bootcamp Highlights – Week 2: Robotics Week 🤖

Building with the Basics: A Week of Robotics and Circuit Design

This week, our young innovators at SMAIR Foundation dove into the world of basic electronics and circuit design. Following our core philosophy, we believe in hands-on, project-based learning, so we immediately put theory into practice. We began by re-familiarizing ourselves with essential electronic components and then applied this knowledge to design, simulate, and physically build our very own functional circuits. It was a week where every concept learned was a step toward a tangible, working project.

The Building Blocks of Robotics: Laying a Solid Foundation

Our week commenced with a quick review of fundamental electronic components. We ensured that every child had a firm grasp of their individual roles and functions within a circuit. This practical introduction included:

• Breadboard: The go-to platform for prototyping circuits without soldering.

• Resistor: Understanding its role in regulating the flow of electric current.

• Transistor: Exploring its function as a semiconductor switch for signals.

• LED (Light-Emitting Diode): Learning about this common light source.

• Jumper Wire: The connectors that link components on a breadboard.

• Buzzer: The basics of audio signaling.

• Circuit: Defining a complete path for electricity.

In addition to component review, we introduced flowcharts as a vital planning tool. This visual method helped the children map out the logical steps of their circuit before construction. This exercise taught them a crucial problem-solving skill, encouraging them to think critically about their project's design from the very beginning.

Project Highlights: Where Simulation Meets Reality

The true excitement of the week lay in our hands-on projects, where the children turned their ideas into working circuits. We used both digital simulation and physical construction to provide a complete learning experience.

1. Illuminating Ideas: The Push-Button LED Circuit

Our first project was a practical lesson in using a transistor as a switch. The goal was to create a circuit where two LED lights would turn on when a single push button was pressed. We first built and tested this circuit in a Tinkercad simulation using:

• 2 LEDs

• 1 push-button

• 1 transistor

• 2 resistors

• 1 9V battery

After the successful simulation, the children then built a physical replica on their breadboards. Seeing the LEDs light up with the press of a button was a powerful moment, solidifying their understanding of how electronic components work together to achieve a specific function.

2. A Glimpse of Automation: The Replica Traffic Light Circuit

For our second project, we created a simplified traffic light system. Using Tinkercad, we designed a circuit where three separate pushbuttons each controlled a different colored LED. The components for this simulation included

• 3 LEDs (red, yellow, and green)

• 3 push-buttons (one for each color)

• 1 resistor

• 1 battery

The project's goal was simple: pressing a button would turn on its corresponding LED. This exercise was a great introduction to managing multiple inputs and outputs, showing how even simple circuits can be combined to create a more complex system.

Want your child to experience this kind of hands-on learning and unlock their potential in the exciting world of technology?

At SMAIR Foundation, we are committed to providing a hands-on, project-based learning experience that goes beyond the screen. We empower the next generation with the skills, confidence, and creative spark needed to build what's next.

Here’s why enrolling your child in the SMAIR Bootcamp is an investment in their future:

• Project-Based Education: We don't just teach theory; we build. Our programs are structured around engaging, hands-on projects that allow children to immediately apply what they learn.

• Cultivating Critical Thinking: By using tools like flowcharts, we teach children how to plan, troubleshoot, and think critically about the logic behind their creations.

• Bridging the Digital and Physical Worlds: We empower children to go from a virtual simulation to building a physical project. This dual approach gives them a complete understanding of the design and engineering process.

• Developing Future-Ready Skills: In a world driven by technology, understanding electronics, coding, and robotics is essential. Our bootcamp provides a fun environment for children to explore these fields and develop valuable skills.

  
  

Ready to ignite your child's passion for technology and innovation?

Enroll your child for the ongoing SMAIR Bootcamp here

We also host engaging weekly sessions every Saturday in collaboration with the AI & Robotics Innovation Hub.

• Location: 1B Ibitayo Street, off Adekunle Banjo Avenue, Magodo Phase II, Lagos

• Time: 10am - 1pm

• Call/Whatsapp: 09161771271

• Email: info@smairfoundation.com

  
  

Let's give your child more than just screen time. Let's give them the skills, confidence, and spark to build what's next.