ThinkSTEM Programming Kit

A hands-on kit for high school students to learn programming through interactive modules combining hardware and software.

Learning Objectives

• Understand basic programming concepts (variables, loops, conditionals)
• Apply logic to control hardware (LEDs, sensors, motors)
• Build end-to-end projects integrating code and electronics
• Develop problem-solving and debugging skills

Kit Components

• Microcontroller board (e.g., Arduino Uno)
• Breadboard and jumper wires
• LEDs and resistors
• Sensors (light, temperature)
• Outputs (buzzers, motors)
• Servo motors
• USB cable and power supply
• Instruction manual and software

Curriculum Modules

• TBD

Schedule

• TBD

Resources

• Sample code library
• Troubleshooting guide
• Online reference materials

Repository Structure

thinkstem-kit/
├── thinkstem-kit.ino    // Main Arduino sketch
├── 7-segment.ino        // Seven-segment display helper functions
└── README.md            // Project documentation

thinkstem engineering kit

An Arduino-based kit to introduce programming and electronics concepts to middle and high school students with minimal hardware setup required. (plug and play)

Features

• Semi-assembled hardware components for quick prototyping
• Custom Arduino functions to simplify interaction with a seven-segment display

Seven-Segment Display Module

The 7-segment.ino helper file provides the following functions:

void sevenSegmentSetup()

Initializes all seven segment pins (A–G) as outputs and turns them off. Must be called in setup() before any display functions.

void displayDigit(int num)

Lights up the segments corresponding to the digit num (0–9) on a common-cathode display.

• Parameters: int num — Digit to display (0–9).

void displaySegment(char c)

Lights a single segment identified by the character c ('a'–'g' or 'A'–'G').

• Parameters: char c — Segment label.

void displaySegment(const char* s)

Overloaded version accepting a C-string (e.g. "a"). Uses only the first character.

• Parameters: const char* s — String whose first character indicates the segment.

void loopSegments(int delayTime)

Cycles through all seven segments in order (a–g), lighting each for delayTime milliseconds.

• Parameters: int delayTime — Delay in milliseconds between segments.

void segmentCount(int from, int to, int delayTime)

Displays a sequence of digits from from to to, pausing delayTime milliseconds between each.

• Parameters:

  • int from — Starting digit (0–9)
  • int to — Ending digit (0–9)
  • int delayTime — Delay in milliseconds

Overloaded segmentCount() Variants

• segmentCount() — Counts 0 through 9 with a default 1000 ms delay.
• segmentCount(int delayTime) — Counts 0 through 9 with custom delay.

Main Sketch (thinkstem-kit.ino)

Includes and uses the seven-segment helper:

#include <ctype.h>

// Segment pin mapping: A→8, B→9, C→12, D→11, E→10, F→7, G→6
const int segmentPins[7] = {8, 9, 12, 11, 10, 7, 6};
const char segmentLabels[7] = {'a','b','c','d','e','f','g'};

void setup() {
  sevenSegmentSetup();
}

void loop() {
  loopSegments(300);
}

This setup cycles through segments a–g, each lit for 300 ms.

Getting Started

1. Open thinkstem-kit.ino in the Arduino IDE.
2. Ensure 7-segment.ino is in the same folder.
3. Customize pin mappings or display routines as needed.
4. Upload to your Arduino and watch the display in action.

Next Steps

• Add support for a decimal point (DP) segment.
• Implement multi-digit display via multiplexing.
• Create curriculum exercises around segment control.