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STEM Instructions

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Webpage Overview

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Welcome to the Instructions page for your Wates House of the Future STEM kit. Here, we will teach you everything you need to know about assembling and using your Bluethooth-controlled House of the Future.  

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The House of the Future STEM kit is fun and engaging introduction to the world of coding, robotics and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering Arts and Maths).

You will get hands-on with building your own Bluetooth-operated electronic house that you can control remotely using your smartphone and the free phone app.

You will learn about the basics of C++ coding language, and build an electrical circuits out of modular components. You will then use simple strips of C++ code to programme a microcontroller and smartphone app to let you control the various built-in functions of the building.

You will also be able to get creative by designing a your own unique look for the exterior of the house and customize it in any way you'd like.

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What you get as part of this course via your code kit:

–         Sustainable bioplastic House of the Future 3D model kit

–         Microcontroller board

–         OLED Display

–         Bluetooth Receiver

–         Jumper cables

–         4 LEDs

–         DHT11 Temperature Module

–         2 Solar Panels

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*Note* You will need your own  Smartphone or Tablet with access to Bluetooth, a laptop and a small Phillip's screwdriver

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Target Audience

–         Anyone who wants to learn about coding, electronics and engineering.

–         People with no coding or electronics experience but who want to start somewhere in a fun way

–         Children over 11 (younger if supervised by an adult)

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Outcomes:

–         Engagement with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics)   

–         Improved soft skills, such as teamwork and communication 

–         Experience of basic programming using the Arduino IDE

–         Ability to understand and create rudimentary C++ code

–         An understanding of the key principles involved in programming microcontrollers

–         Inspiration to learn about other coding and electronics projects

–         Better awareness of how STEM-subjects are used in our everyday lives and can help future careers

–         Your very own assembled, functioning and fully customised House of the Future you can operate via mobile/tablet

Download the PDF version of assembly instructions and code here: 

Safety

Information

Overview:

 

Below is an introduction to the modules and kit you will be using to build your Bluetooth- controlled house.

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Please check all of the components in the box to ensure no parts are missing.

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What you will need:

  • Electronics

    • 2 x Solar Panels

    • 1 x OLED Screen

    • 1 x Power Bank

    • 1 x DHT11 Temperature Module

    • 1 x Arduino Uno R3 Board

    • 1 x Arduino Shield

    • 1 x Arduino Breadboard

    • 1 x HC-10 Bluetooth receiver

    • Jumper Cables

    • 3 x White LED

    • 1 x Red LED

    • 1 x USB Type B cable

    • 1 x LM2596 Voltage Regulator

    • 1 x USB Type A cable

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  • Bioplastic elements​​

    • 4 x A

    • 5 x B

    • 8 x C

    • 1 x A1​

    • 1 x A2

    • 1 x A3

    • 1 x A4

    • 1 x A5

    • 1 x A6

    • 1 x A7​

    • 1 x A8

    • 1 x A9​

    • 1 x A10

    • 4 x A11

    • 1 x A12

    • 1 x A13​

    • 1 x A14

    • 1 x A1​5

    • 1 x A16

    • 1 x A1​7

    • 2 x A18

    • 1 x A19

    • 1 x A20

    • 1 x A21

    • 2 x A22

    • 1 x A23

    • 1 x A24

    • 1 x A25

    • 1 x A26

    • 1 x A27

    • 1 x A28

    • 1 x A29​

    • 2 x A30

    • 2 x A31

    • 1 x A32

    • 3 x A33

    • 3 x A34

    • 1 x A35

    • 1 x A36

    • 1 x A37

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  • Additional Elements​

    • 1 x Small Acrylic rectangle​

    • 1 x Big Acrylic rectangle

    • 1 x Acrylic radiator part

Knowing Your Kit

Overview:

 

This section shows you what software you need to code your house, and how to download it onto your computer. 

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Instructions on:

  • How to download and install the software

  • How to plug in your board and prepare a sketch

  • What the information in the sketch means
     

What you will need:

  • PC/laptop

  • Internet connection

  • Arduino Micro-controller

  • USB Type B cable

Software

Overview:

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This lesson will show you how to build the full circuit of your House of the Future. 

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What you will need:​

  • 2 x Solar Panels

  • 1 x OLED Screen

  • 1 x Power Bank

  • 1 x DHT11 Temperature Module

  • 1 x Arduino Uno R3 Board

  • 1 x Arduino Shield

  • 1 x Arduino Breadboard

  • 1 x HM-10 Bluetooth receiver

  • Jumper Cables

  • 3 x White LED

  • 1 x Red LED

  • 1 x USB Type B cable

  • 1 x LM2596 Voltage Regulator

  • 1 x USB Type A cable

  • 1 x Screwdriver

Building Circuit

Overview:

 

This lesson will show you how to build our House of the Future shell.

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What you will need:​

  • Parts numbered A1- A37

  • Pre-built circuit

Building House Shell

Overview:

 

This section will show you how to write the code you need to make House of the Future work.

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What you will need:

  • PC/ laptop

  • Internet connection (if using an online Arduino editor)

  • Micro-controller

  • USB lead

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You can download fully written code at the top of this webpage. The workbook (that can also be downloaded at the top of this webpage) will guide your through the code.

What's Next?

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  1. Open your weather station code

  2. Choose your Arduino device by Choosing Tools -> Port: -> Arduino/Genuino Uno (Available Device):














     

  3. Verify if the code is correct without errors using the Tick icon on the top left corner of the software:




     

  4. Upload your code by clicking on the right-pointing arrow on the left top corner of the software:​

Choose Arduino Port-
Verify-
Upload

If you decide to download the libraries from this website rather than from Arduino Software please do the following:

  • Open Document folder

  • Arduino Folder

  • Unzip the libraries folder into the Arduino folder

  • Once unzipped check if there is a "libraries" folder within the "libraries" folder

    • If so, move the inner "libraries" folder into Arduino Folder​

Coding House of the Future

Overview:

 

This lesson will show you how to test your building's circuit and ensure it's working correctly before you build the rest of the house.

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What you will need:

  • Your house's part 1 of the shell (built previously)

  • Your house's circuit (built previously)

  • 1 x Android phone/tablet (with Bluetooth)

  • House of the Future App, DOWNLOAD FOR FREE from the App & Play store

Testing the Circuit

1.

Your code should be already downloaded onto Arduino in lesson 5 (Writing your Car's Code).

4.

Open House of the Future App and choose Connect Bluetooth:

2.

Download House of the Future App:

5.

Wait for the Bluetooth connection.

3.

Turn the Bluetooth on your phone ON.

6.

Test if your house works using App.

01.

"How do I know my Bluetooth module is connected"

When you look at the HM-10 Bluetooth module there is a red LED. When disconnected the LED will be blinking. However when the module is connected the LED light will be constantly on.

03.

Error message "No such file or directory"

Delete and re-install libraries

  • DHT Sensory Library

  • SoftwareSerial

  • Wire

  • Adafruit_GFX

  • Adafruit_SSD1306
     

OR

Download the zipped folder from the top of this web page. After downloading, move the unzipped folder into Documents -> Arduino.

05.

Arduino software error "Problem uploading to board."

Before pressing the "upload" button, you need to choose your port.

Go into Tools -> Port -> Choose your Arduino Uno device

02.

"Arduino is not working"

To see if Arduino is working correctly connect it to your PC/ Laptop using a blue USB type B cable. If the Arduino board turn on it means it's working.

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When you connect it to the power bank, and the Arduino is not working- recharge your power bank.

04.

The Bluetooth is connecting the app, but I cannot control the house.

Check the wiring of your circuit. TXD and RXD might be mixed up.

TXD -> Pin 8

RXD -> Pin 9

FAQ

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