@mirobo.tech
Retired (mostly) high school computer technology teacher creating and sharing simple and fun microcontroller projects and resources for education! Focusing on electronics, robotics, Arduino, RaspberryPiPico, MicroPython, and beginner programming.
A wooden table top displaying a variety of educational PCBs and robots.
A red cardboard box containing an XPR robot kit.
I presented two sessions for teachers at the ACSE conference today: first session on designing circuits for use in their computer technology classes, and a second session on using Tinkercad to teach electronic circuit concepts and programming. And, I got an XRP to play with! 😊
It's freebie Friday!!
Hey, teachers, are you teaching Arduino or PICmicro C in your classes? Here's a free, re-mixable C reference Google doc: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
🤣
These Sumo bots were controlled by Arduino UNO and my original ARPS shield.
Get the new ARPS-2 shield and its Gerbers from @pcbwayofficial.bsky.social here: www.pcbway.com/project/shar...
Throwback to Sumo robot battles in my grade 10 computer technology class! 🤖 🥊 🤖
I have a fact-based feeling teachers are gonna like this beginner curriculum. 😉
It targets learning using either Arduino C code or MicroPython!
Look for the beginner activities written for ARPS-2, BEAPER Nano, and BEAPER Pico, or adapt them to your circuits: github.com/mirobotech
My 2019 MacBook Pro is getting all hot just thinking about the new Super cores...
Oh, wait, it just gets hot and runs its fans for pretty much any reason these days. 😂
Find the Beginner Activities for teaching using #Arduino code (for ARPS-2 and BEAPER Nano) or using #MicroPython (for BEAPER Nano and BEAPER Pico) here: github.com/mirobotech
It's teacher Tuesday!!
I'm giving teachers an extra March break 😃 by creating a complete beginner microcontroller curriculum – one week at a time!
Take a look at the curriculum overview, here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
#STEMeducation #programming
It’s Friday, Friday… IYKYK 🤣
Oh, and it’s a metronome too!
A Piano 3 circuit (top) assembled onto its battery holder without a programming header installed. A Piano 3 circuit with an ICSP programming header for use with Microchip's PICKit programmers (bottom).
Piano 3 is controlled by a @microchip-makes.bsky.social PIC12F1840 and includes ICSP pads for easy (re-)programming. 🤓
Front edge view of two small black piano circuits sitting on a wooden table top. Piano 2 (left) has a physically smaller PCB and piezo speaker than Piano 3 (right).
Top down view of two small black piano circuits sitting on a wooden table top. Piano 2 (left) has a physically smaller PCB and piezo speaker than Piano 3 (right).
Piano 3 is the newest version of my learn to solder piano/metronome kit. The chonkier piezo lead to a larger PCB, which lead to a new shape... but it does provide 'grander' sound! 😉 🎹 😀
It's freebie Friday!!
Need a way to mount an Arduino UNO? Check out this 3D-printable mount and my other models on @makerworld.bsky.social: makerworld.com/en/models/51...
My pre launch page for the Build A Boy is live on @crowdsupply.bsky.social crowdsupply.com/natalie-the-nerd/build-a-boy
The only kit that will turn your Lego kit into a real working Game Boy - no emulation
Trans rights are human rights and if one of is ain’t free then none of us are.
#CSed w/AI is *so* different than what we'd previously done. We had taught techniques with mostly right and wrong implementations. Now it's: you've got this skilled and flawed partner who will give you different answers than your peers. Build skills to manage & critique this partner.
Two small black PCBs with white silkscreen labels sitting on a wooden table top.
Some new toys arrived! 😁
The Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: subscribe for free
blog.adafruit.com/2026/02/25/t...
I have some prototype circuits here. I’m happy to send either a BEAPER Nano or BEAPER Pico prototype for you to play with – you would need to supply the Arduino Nano ESP32 or Raspberry Pi Pico. Both run MicroPython. Please send me your choice and school address using the contact form on my site. 😊
Thanks! I’d love to have you test it with your classes. Which language would you use with your students, Arduino or MicroPython?
The Arduino program files are for ARPS-2 and BEAPER Nano, and the MicroPython program files are for BEAPER Nano and BEAPER Pico. Find them in the Beginner Activities of each circuit here: github.com/mirobotech
I'm creating my beginner learning activities in Arduino C/C++ for both Arduino UNO and Arduino Nano ESP32, and in MicroPython for both Arduino Nano ESP32 and Raspberry Pi Pico.
It's teacher Tuesday!!
I've been creating a complete beginner microcontroller curriculum one week at a time. It's week 5 - Check it out here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Ugh, my 2019 MacBook Pro is randomly locking up and rebooting itself a couple of times per day... Needless to say this makes it harder to get work done. 😂
Haha, yes! The first time our vehicle’s infotainment system went wonky I just decided to try holding the power button down. Sometime between 10-15s later, it rebooted. 🤣 👍
#TodaysMomentOfAwesomeness
"Thank you for being chill when students have bad days" - Student who came in to class obviously upset, as he left class.
A reminder that teaching is about helping students become better humans, by being better humans.
#EduSky #ImNotCryingYoureCrying
🥹
I2C Level Shifters Explained in 90 Seconds (TCA9517)
www.CyberCityCircuits.com
The KiCad logo under a funnel with other EDA logos being fed into the funnel
KiCad version 10 coming soon with some exciting new features including new importers!
www.kicad.org/blog/2026/02...
A late teacher Tuesday update.
Here's a great video explaining how LLMs are just fancy text predictors: youtu.be/LPZh9BOjkQs?...
I guess that’ll now be my experience too! 🤣 😂 😭
