COVID19 Resources for Learning STEM at Home - Thimble Online STEM Classes

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ONLINE ROBOTICS & CODING CLASSES

1 kit, 12 projects, and 4 instructor-led workshops. Keep them learning, occupied, and off their screens!

What's the Cost?

For $99, you'll receive one kit that teaches your child how to build 12 fun electronics projects.

What's INCLUDED?

You'll receive four 1-hour workshops that help your child build their projects with one of our instructors.

What's in the kIT?

Several sensors and parts. Examples of projects include a music composer and intruder alarm.

WHAT AGE GROUP?

Kids in grades 4-12 can build our projects. Younger kids can build projects with parents.

Online – Intro Level – 4 Workshops – Includes Beginner Kit

TH 101: Intro to Engineering & Computer Science

Learn the basic building blocks of electronics and computer systems

About this Workshop

Every engineer and computer scientist has a beginning. In this course, you’ll start from ground zero. You’ll be exposed to a variety of basic sensors, indicators, and actuators to learn electronics and coding with Arduino. If you don’t know what these words mean or parts do, that’s okay. We designed this course for beginners so that you can experience quick wins and get hooked. By the end of this course, you’ll learn to use these simple components to make a robot friend, night light, security alarm, kitchen timer, and other useful projects.

We find that if you don’t know the building blocks early on, it becomes difficult to comprehend the more advanced topics later down the line. To be successful, you’ll need to commit 1-2 hours (about 15 minutes per day) to this course. Our learning portal contains step-by-step instructions and videos to help you build each of the 12 mini projects from start to finish. If you get stuck or have questions, you can use our community forum to ask for help or collaborate with others.

Upon successful completion of this workshop, you’ll be prepared to take the next course in our curriculum TH 201: Climate, Science, & Technology.

What You'll Build

12 short projects that teach you the fundamentals of engineering, electronics, and computer systems.

1.Robot Friend

2. Night Light

3. Clapper

4. 8-bit Music Composer

5. Doorbell

6. Intruder Alarm

7. Thermometer

8. Kitchen Timer

9. LCD Backlight Disco

10. Analog Indicator

11. Music Machine

12. Simon Says

What You'll Get

A combination of sensors, actuators, indicators, microcontrollers, and small parts:

Button sensor

Piezo buzzer

LED driver

Light sensor

Servo motor

Capacitive touch sensor

Temperature sensor

Sound sensor

Wifi module

LCD display

Arduino “Thimbleduino”

Base shield

Plastic servo arm parts

3 LEDs, cables, screws

What You'll Need

Here are some things you’ll need before you get started:

A computer running Windows, Mac OS, Linux, or Chromebook.
Keyboard and mouse
Working internet connection
Arduino software

The Arduino software is a free application and be downloaded at www.arduino.cc

Next Generation Science Standards

MS-PS3-6, MS-PS4-3, MS-LS1-3, MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-, MS-ETS1-4

#1: Robot Friend

Use cardboard and cut out a template of your robot. Use a light sensor and servo motor to control your robot’s arm.

#2: Night light

Use a light sensor to create a night light that only turns on when it’s dark. Once you’re done, customize it anyway you’d like.

#3: Clapper

Make a clapper that turns an LED on and off using a clap, snap, our loud noise. Learn what other noises make your clapper work.

#4: Music Conductor

Create a musical masterpiece by using a piezo buzzer. Learn how to play a variety of tunes with simple notes.

#5: Doorbell

Create your very own doorbell by using a piezo buzzer and button sensor. Learn how to make your doorbell sound unique.

#6: Intruder Detector

Use a light sensor and household materials to create a door activated alarm. Now no one can enter your room or secret hideout.

#7: Thermometer

Use an LCD display, button, and temperature sensor to create a thermometer and measure the temperature.

#8: Kitchen timer

Build a programmable timer to keep track of time. Now you can help your relatives keep track of their cooking.

#9: LCD Backlight Disco

Start your own mini disco party by using a backlight from the LCD display and piezo buzzer. Watch the cool colors glow!

#10: Analog indicator

Create your own dial indicator by using a servo motor, light, temperature, and sound sensor.

#11: Music Machine

Play a simple musical instrument by using a piezo buzzer, potentiometer, button and light sensor.

#12: Simon Game

Recreate the feel of the classic Simon Says game using an LCD display, button, and touch sensor.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHo is THimble for?

Thimble workshops are for students ages 10+. If students are younger, parent or teacher supervision is strongly recommended.

How much time will i need to commit?

On average, our workshop require one month to complete (depending how fast you go). That time will be spent watching video lessons and building projects.

What if i have no experience in electronics OR code?

We created Thimble to teach beginners a basic understanding of electronics, engineering, and code. We assume you have no prior knowledge; all we ask if that you have a hunger to learn.

HOW IS THIMBLE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER PLATFORMS?

Other platforms teach coding only. We teach hardware and software – putting real engineering tools in your hands to learn complex STEM skills used in industry.

WHAT DO I RECEIVE WHEN I BUY A workshop?

You’ll receive online access to course instructions, video tutorials, and support forums. We’ll ship you the components and tools to build your hands-on projects.

Are thimble WORKSHOPS worth my time and Money

If you want to take in-person courses that cost thousands of $$$, Thimble isn’t for you. Want an intro to STEM that’s taught at a fraction of the price? You’re in the right place.

What Parents and Teachers are Saying about this Workshop

"Just wanted to let you know that TH 101 is AWESOME! It's perfect for my students. Not only does it make it simple for them to create an electronic device easily, it also frees up their time to really get into the code and hack it anyway they want. I more or less threw the kids into the intro course with the website and they went to town. Well done!"

D. Schmidle

Maker Lab Specialist

"This was an overwhelming success! The students had no prior experience in programming or electronics, yet became completely invested. Each meeting taught a fundamental concept of programming and added a piece of hardware functionality. The students loved it and a mother made a point of saying that no school is offering this kind of curriculum."

R. Handsfield

Curriculum Specialist