T2-D: Design, Build, and Program a Thermostat for a Tiny House
Location
Richard Petty
Start Date
5-3-2018 1:45 PM
Description
This paper describes a multi-objective teaching module developed for the second semester of the first-year experience at the Department of Engineering at James Madison University. During the course, students explore the complexities of engineering decision making through fundamentals integrated with the semester theme of tiny houses. The objective of the module is to design, build, and program a thermostat for a tiny house using an Arduino UNO platform. Necessary skills were developed through an independent preparation assignment, followed by an in-class self-directed learning session where students built the Arduino “Love-O-Meter.” Students were intrigued by the project and were asked to use their new knowledge to create more complex control systems to alter the Love-O-Meter into a thermostat for a tiny house. Among many standard learning outcomes, students experienced a real life application as many had not considered how or why thermostat controls works, and independent learning skills were honed. Multiple modes of learning were implemented and students completed the project empowered.
T2-D: Design, Build, and Program a Thermostat for a Tiny House
Richard Petty
This paper describes a multi-objective teaching module developed for the second semester of the first-year experience at the Department of Engineering at James Madison University. During the course, students explore the complexities of engineering decision making through fundamentals integrated with the semester theme of tiny houses. The objective of the module is to design, build, and program a thermostat for a tiny house using an Arduino UNO platform. Necessary skills were developed through an independent preparation assignment, followed by an in-class self-directed learning session where students built the Arduino “Love-O-Meter.” Students were intrigued by the project and were asked to use their new knowledge to create more complex control systems to alter the Love-O-Meter into a thermostat for a tiny house. Among many standard learning outcomes, students experienced a real life application as many had not considered how or why thermostat controls works, and independent learning skills were honed. Multiple modes of learning were implemented and students completed the project empowered.