L3 Electronics and Mechatronics

~ Skills ~

Y12 Overview

Level 2 Home

Robot Project (91894)

Electronics Inquiry (91900)

Electronics Development(91897 & 91357)

Summary External (91899)

About

Explore the dynamic world of microcontrollers and schematics! From classic circuit boards to the cutting-edge of digital innovation, discover how electronics are shaping our lives.

Learn to design and build your own circuits and 3D model a custom housing for them to create new technology. Whether you're working with wiring up a breadboard or writing code for a microcontroller, this journey will empower you to innovate and create in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Schematics are the detailed plans that show how all the electronic components in a circuit are connected. They're the blueprints for everything from a simple LED circuit to a complex computer. Traditional electronics focuses on the physical components and their layout, but the design starts with the schematic.

Just as traditional electronics continue to be implemented worldwide, modern digital electronics are at the forefront of innovation. This includes all things digital, such as microcontrollers like Arduino or Raspberry Pi, which are small, single-chip computers. You will also learn to use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to create a 3D model of a custom housing for your circuit, bringing your project to life. Any device with a screen, from your phone to a smart TV, is a combination of both physical electronics and the digital logic programmed into a microcontroller or other integrated circuit that makes it functional.

Software Required

Electronics Engineering

Electronics is more than just wires and components. It's a powerful tool for creation and communication. It helps us convey data, enable functionality, and even change the way we interact with the world. From automating processes to creating smart devices, engineers and designers are the architects of our technological future.

Get ready to unleash your creativity, because the design game is where innovation meets imagination, and the possibilities are endless. 💡✨

LETS GET LEARNING!

Task #1: What is Prototyping

~ Soldering ~

Basics of Soldering

Dot Board Soldering

PCB Soldering

~ PCB Design ~

KiCAD basics

Basics of PCB Design

KiCad Design

PCB Basics

~ CAD Design (Fusion 360)~

Enclosure design

Snap fit enclosures

Box making

Task #2: Create a small Arduino project

Systems & Subsystems Design

An Arduino project is best understood as a complete System: a collection of interacting parts working together to achieve a specific goal. To build a functional system, you must integrate three distinct subsystems. This approach allows for modular design, where you can swap out individual subsystems (like changing a light sensor to a motion sensor) without redesigning the entire architecture.

The Challenge: System Integration

Your task is to build a complete functioning system by defining and integrating these three critical subsystems:

The Input Subsystem (Sensors): Select a component to gather data from the environment. This subsystem monitors conditions and sends signals to the processor. (e.g., A temperature sensor or a push-button)
The Processing Subsystem (Logic): Develop the control logic within the microcontroller. This subsystem receives data from the input, processes it according to your rules, and determines the appropriate response. (e.g., The Arduino code: "If the temperature exceeds X...")
The Output Subsystem (Actuators): Choose a component to execute the system’s decision. This subsystem converts electrical signals into physical action or feedback. (e.g., An LED turning on or a servo motor rotating or an LCD displaying something)

As you go forward with your own project, consider how your project integrates systems and subsystems.

Distance Sensor

Temperature Sensor

Light Sensor

Task #4: Complete a Tutorial (or more if you have time)

Choose ONE of the following tutorials and complete the "learning reflection" afterwards to hand in to your teacher.

~ Arduino~

Advanced Arduino Concepts

~ ESP32 (Harder than Arduino) ~

ESP32 Webserver

ESP32 Deep Sleep

ESP32 Bluetooth Server

Apply and Make your Own

Task #5: Complete another tutorial but add a component

Choose ONE of the following tutorials and make it your own. So follow the tutorial BUT use your own images, colours, quotes, words etc

Rotary Encoders

Using 2 Arduinos (Part 1)

Using 2 Arduinos (Part 2)

Task #6: Begin your Project

Your Electronics and Journey: Level 3

Welcome to the workshop! This year is about moving from technical foundations to creative independence. Your journey is split into two distinct phases:

Phase 1: The Robot Build (Weeks 1–12)

We start with a structured, high-energy project: The Class Robot. This phase is designed to sharpen your technical skills and ensure you're comfortable with the software and hardware interfaces.

Assessment: AS91904 - Use advanced techniques to develop an electronics outcome. (6 Credits, Internal)

Phase 2: The Personal Project (Term 2 & 3)

Once the robots are running, the training wheels come off. You will design and manufacture a project of your own choosing. This phase covers two standards that focus on the "how" and the "why" of your creation.

Assessment: AS91907 - Use advanced processes to develop a digital technologies outcome. (6 Credits, Internal)
Assessment: AS91611 - Undertake effective development to make and trial a prototype. (6 Credits, Internal)

A Note on Mastery

We have heaps of time to learn, but to be fair, if you want to make things easier for yourself during your personal project, you need to put the time in now to learn the software inside and out. Even if you have used it before, there is always a deeper level of mastery to uncover.

It takes 30+ hours of "seat time" to get truly comfortable with design software. Keep challenging yourself to build more circuits, try new prototypes, and push the limits of what your robot can do.

This video takes you through the whole process of this course, what it might look like, and the knowledge needed.

Class Football Robot project (91904)

Now it's time to work out what sort of project you might undertake and what it entails if your doing a personal project Otherwise click on football project above

Next: Project Inquiry

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