Peripherals/Science Kit

A science kit to assist with hands-on education of electronics and foundation science.

Purpose

The idea is to have a collection of sensors and input devices that can be connected to the XO and also to work independently of the XO in circuits constructed by students. I would like to create a standard connector for all peripherals which enable the easy construction of circuits. Possibly USB connectors could be used which would enable rapid circuit construction and modification while also remaining a convenient interface method for connection to the XO.

Possible components

• Cables
• Switches
• Motors / Generator
• Solar cells
• Lights (LED)
• Buzzer
• Digital Control Unit
• Mini USB battery, so it can be used to power a simple circuit
• Light sensor
• Temperature
• Pressure
• Hall effect
• Current
• Voltage
• Current/voltage probe
• Charge
• Accelerometer
• Distance
• pH
• Salinity
• Radiation
• Prism
• Heat flow sensor

Required Hardware

USB is expensive and non simple. A fuse protected serial or parallel port can be used for continuity testing. Multiple voltage detectors would be used for analog data as All other sensors report back to the computer in on off or analog. AaronPeterson 17:55, 23 December 2007 (EST)

TI graphing calculators have had these components as accessories for a long time and cost less than 100 dollars. http://www.ticalc.org/ and http://education.ti.com product exapmle: http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/productDetail/us_easydata_easytemp.html AaronPeterson 17:55, 23 December 2007 (EST)

Motivation

• Hands-on activities are essential for a rounded education

Advantages

• A highly adaptive and rapidly interchangeable collection of sensors and components would enable construction of potentially useful devices.

Disadvantages

• Text

Contributors

• Concept: OLPC Team