Phase 1: May – July 2025 | Get Started with Arduino
🎯 Goal: Understand the basics of Arduino, sensors, and simple programming.
📌 Step-by-Step Plan
1. Get Your Kit
Buy an Arduino UNO starter kit (recommended brands: Elegoo, Funduino, or official
Arduino).
Ensure it includes: breadboard, jumper wires, resistors, LEDs, buzzer, ultrasonic
sensor, LDR, IR sensor, servo motor.
2. Set Up Arduino IDE
Download: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
Connect Arduino via USB.
Upload the "Blink" example sketch (preloaded in IDE).
3. Follow Video Tutorials (in order):
Search on YouTube: Paul McWhorter Arduino Tutorial Series or Programming
Electronics Academy
Watch & replicate these tutorials (1–2 per week):
1. Blink an LED
2. Button-controlled LED
3. Fading LED with PWM
4. Ultrasonic sensor for distance
5. LDR sensor for light detection
6. Buzzer alarm for motion detection
7. Servo motor control
4. Your First Mini Project
Obstacle Detection Buzzer
o Components: Arduino UNO, ultrasonic sensor, buzzer, breadboard, jumper
wires.
o Logic: If distance < 10cm → buzzer ON.
o Learn: how to use digitalWrite(), analogRead(), Serial.begin(),
delay()
5. Weekly Practice Plan
3–4 sessions per week (30–60 min)
Keep a notebook or Google Doc for:
o What you tried
o Errors you faced
o What you learned
🔧 Phase 2: Aug – Sep 2025 | Build & Document a Real
Project
🎯 Goal: Build your first full project and showcase it on your personal website.
1. Choose a Project
Pick one that matches your interest:
Obstacle-Avoiding Robot (Arduino + ultrasonic sensor + motor driver + wheels)
Smart Lamp (turns on in the dark using LDR)
IR Remote-Controlled Car
2. Step-by-Step Build Example: Obstacle-Avoiding Robot
Components: Arduino UNO, Ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04), Motor driver (L298N), 2
DC motors with wheels, 9V battery
Connections:
o Ultrasonic → Digital Pins (e.g. 7, 8)
o L298N → Motor A/B & Arduino power pins
Code Logic:
o If distance > 15 cm → move forward
o Else → stop and turn
Enhance: Add buzzer, LED indicators, or a display.
3. Document It
Take photos while building.
Record a short video of the robot working.
Write a short blog post (what you made, how it works, challenges).
Upload to Google Sites or Wix website.
🚀 Phase 3: Oct – Dec 2025 | Polish + Participate
🎯 Goal: Improve your existing project and present it to the world.
1. Improve Your Robot
Add a Bluetooth module (HC-05): control with your phone.
Replace DC motors with servo motors for better control.
Make it solar-powered or battery-charging.
2. Join Competitions
Ask school to enter it in:
o Science exhibition
o Robotics contest
o Online Arduino contests (try Instructables.com)
3. Learn New Concepts
Intro to IoT with ESP8266 or Blynk app.
Read sensor data on your phone.
Project idea: Room temperature monitor that logs data online.
🌌 Phase 4: Jan – Mar 2026 | Advanced Space-Themed
Project
🎯 Goal: Build a project that links to aerospace/space tech.
Project Ideas & How to Build:
✅ 1. Satellite Tracker
Use GPS + compass sensor + OLED display.
Show simulated satellite movement over coordinates.
✅ 2. Rocket Launch Controller
Simulate rocket ignition with safety switches, countdown, buzzer & LED ignition.
Add pressure/temperature sensor for realism.
✅ 3. Weather Balloon Logger
Record altitude, temp, humidity (BMP280 or DHT11 sensor).
Save data to SD card using SD card module.
🌍 Phase 5: Apr – Jul 2026 | Submit & Showcase
🎯 Goal: Finalize best project and submit it to global contests.
Actions:
1. Improve code (optimize, comment well)
2. Record a YouTube video demo
3. Write a technical report or PDF presentation
4. Submit to:
o Google Science Fair
o Coolest Projects
o Arduino Project Hub
🧠 Resources
Type Source
Courses Udemy - “Arduino Bootcamp”
Videos Paul McWhorter, Programming Academy
Community Reddit: r/arduino, Arduino forums
Project Ideas https://projecthub.arduino.cc/
Website Maker Google Sites, Wix
