October 2023
Exploring a Makers Approach to Embedded Microcontrollers in Engineering: An Industry Perspective
By: YC Wang (Digikey), Hector Lugo (University of Texas at El Paso), Michael Yang (University of California San Diego), Carl Whitesel (South Mountain Community College), Kevin Walseth (Digikey), Dave Paloian (Microchip), Ross Satchell (Microchip)
On September 12, 2023, ECEDHA Hosted a virtual summit focused on ways to include embedded microcontrollers in engineering education curriculum and within makerspaces. Makers, professors, lab manager, and industry partners were invited to share what works best at their institutions.
Makerspaces are collaborative workspaces and are oftentimes located on college campuses. These spaces are equipped with various tools and technologies, ranging from traditional hand tools to advanced digital fabrication tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and electronics kits. As these spaces grow in popularity, it is good to discuss best practices and how we ensure ECE students have access to makerspaces and tools.
University of Texas at El Paso
Hector Lugo, senior instructional technologist, shared his personal experience as a student at the University of Texas at El Paso, and his role managing the lab and providing hands-on learning experiences for current students. He showcased projects created like the remote controls using MSP430 microcontrollers. Hector shared that the makerspace has proven to be useful for teaching binary concepts. The 3D-printed binary blocks are used to help students understand binary numbers and their conversion into numeric values. At UTEP, students collaborate and create various projects, including those related to computer science, electrical engineering, and cybersecurity.
University of California San Diego
Michael Yang, a professor at UC San Diego, talked about the mission of their maker space and how they aim to provide hands-on experience to engineering students through classes, workshops, and projects. Michael discussed specific courses, like EC115 (Rapid Prototyping) that teach students to design mechatronic systems, prototype solutions, and learn from failures. He also emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and mentioned upcoming initiatives, such as hackathons and a makerspace grant program, to further engage students from various majors. In order to include non-engineering majors, they rely on peer-to-peer learning opportunities, which makes the makerspace accessible to a wider range of students.
South Mountain Community College
Carl Whitesel, engineering program coordinator at South Mountain Community College, discussed their engineering lab, which operates similarly to a makerspace despite not being labeled as one. He shared the challenges and solutions implemented to make the lab successful. Initially, the lab faced problems related to space, equipment maintenance, staffing, and funding. To address these challenges, Carl became a grant writer, securing funds for a lab manager, student work-study staff, and new equipment. They incorporated student fees for lab usage and created partnerships with other campus programs to ensure financial sustainability.
The lab's equipment expanded to include 3D printers, digitizers, welding tools, sewing machines, power tools, and more. The lab uses a badging system, where students earn badges after training, allowing them access to the equipment they have been trained on. The lab's popularity led to demands for extended operating hours, including weekends and evenings. Because of partnerships with local industries for internships and scholarships, the lab continues to thrive.
Digikey Makerspace Guide: Navigating the World of Makerspaces
Kevin Walseth from Digikey introduced the Digikey Makerspace Guide, a comprehensive resource designed to assist individuals and institutions in setting up makerspaces. The guide explores essential aspects such as furniture, tools, environmental considerations, Wi-Fi, costing structures, and safety protocols, ensuring a holistic approach to creating functional and accessible makerspaces. Kevin elaborated on specific equipment and areas commonly found in makerspaces, including 3D printers, laser cutters, prototyping tools, electronics equipment, CNC machines, woodshops, welding stations, and textiles equipment. He also shared the importance of training, safety, and hands-on experience in these spaces.
There are important environmental factors in a makerspace, including proper ventilation for soldering and laser-cutting machines. Kevin mentioned the need for fume extractors and proper disposal systems for materials like sawdust from woodworking tools. Safety measures such as eye wash stations, emergency showers, and safety training for handling chemicals are crucial aspects to consider when setting up a makerspace. Kevin also talked about the intersection of electronics and textiles, discussing the incorporation of lights and electronics into textile projects, which is a popular trend in makerspaces. For example, Halloween costuming with integrated light systems are projects made in makerspaces and shared on the internet. Makerspaces offer space for a diverse range of projects and space for creativity and prototyping.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Education
Dave Paloian and Russ Satchel from Microchip shared ways a curriculum can be inspired by the maker ethic. They discussed the traditional approach to teaching microcontroller subsystems and highlighted the limitations of this method. In contrast, the make approach focuses on project-oriented, rapid prototyping activities, emphasizing system integration and problem-solving. There is a need for a balance between the traditional and maker approaches to achieve a comprehensive understanding of microcontrollers.
The Microchip team proposed an academic kit covering hardware, firmware, and software. The kit would include a custom Arduino shield for the Curiosity Nano Development Board, using I2C bus with Quick or Stammer technology, and breadboarding. He also outlined software options, including Arduino for beginners, Microchip's Code Configurator (MCC) or Melody for intermediate users, and bare metal C for advanced users.
Arduino Libraries:
This approach involves using existing Arduino libraries (official or community-based) to provide an abstracted environment. It's suitable for beginner-level students and provides an easy introduction to engineering. Test-driven development (TDD) concepts can also be introduced at this stage.
MCC (Microchip Code Configurator):
This intermediate-level approach involves using a GUI to configure microcontroller peripherals. Students need to study the datasheet in parallel, making it a step closer to hardware without delving into the register level. MCC generates code, allowing students to see the underlying configuration. TDD principles can still be applied.
Bare Metal C:
This advanced approach requires students to work directly with the microcontroller datasheet, header files, and tech briefs. They write bare metal C drivers for microcontroller peripherals and external devices. This approach demands a deep understanding of hardware details, encouraging students to design software efficiently while avoiding excessive overhead. TDD principles apply here too.
Adapter Shield for Curiosity Nano Development Board:
An Arduino shield-like adapter for Curiosity Nano, enabling easy interfacing with Arduino shields. It offers customizable wiring options.
Quick or Stemma/I2C Bus:
Using Adafruit's or Sparkfun's I2C bus systems, allowing students to daisy chain devices. It simplifies connections but is limited to I2C buses.
MicroE Click Board with Curiosity Nano Baseboard:
Utilizes simple MicroE Click boards but is limited to these specific boards and offers no wiring learning.
Breadboarding:
Offers complete customization but lacks stability and may result in frequent wire disconnections.
All of the speakers at the ECEDHA Virtual Makers Summit emphasized the importance of hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the nurturing of a vibrant culture within ECE. There are various ways to integrate embedded microcontrollers effectively in engineering education and makerspaces. These insights will shape the future of ECE engineering education, fostering a new generation of innovative thinkers and creators.
View the On-Demand Session: