ASISTM- PICAXE Project 2006/2007 Diamond Valley College

Latrobe University Diamond Valley College Lalor North Secondary College Peter Lalor Secondary College Essendon-Keilor Districts Secondary College Latrobe Secondary College plus the Australian Catholic University as the critical friend

At Diamond Valley College In 2007, 168 Students were involved in the ASISTM - Picaxe Project. Sem 1- 2 classes of Yr 7 Technology (7.1 & 7.3) Sem 1- Yr 9/10 Robotics elective class Sem 2- 2 classes of Yr 7 Technology (7.2 & 7.4) Sem 2- Yr 9/10 Electronics elective class

Electronic Parts Awareness We learnt the names of the various Electronic components and parts. We were shown how to use the various hand tools and other devices that we would be using in the project. These skills would enable us to make our own PICAXE Board, Down Load Cable and our own Individual Model.

PICAXE 8M Microchip

Uni Board PICAXE Parts

Correct Soldering Techniques We learnt how to safely use solder and soldering irons. We were shown what to do if we did burn ourselves.( Run under water for 10 mins ) We were taught about resin core solder and why it won’t stick after the flux is gone. We were shown how to heat both the component and the PCB with the iron for 2 seconds, solder in for 2 seconds and then let cool for 5 seconds.

Reading Resistors We learnt how to identify the values of the various resistors by reading their colour bands. We practiced identification by looking at different resistors, with the help of a magnifying glass and jeweller’s viewer. Our final task was a test in which we all did quite well.

Down Load Cable We learnt how to make our Down Load Cable from a 3.5mm stereo plug and a DB 9 connector. We then tested it our self to make sure it would work. We needed the Cable so we could program our Uni Board 8M PICAXE chip, from the Programming Editor on the computer.

Latrobe Dip Ed Students From time to time we had Chris Taylor and Katrina Snow, drop into our classes and help. They viewed our progress, offering their help and ideas.

Latrobe Uni Staff We had visits from Latrobe University Staff on various occasions. Phil Pawlowski assisted with technical problems. Tony Stevens observed us working together and interviewed us at the end of the semester, on how we thought we went.

Making our own PICAXE 8M Uni Board Using the over head projector sheets and laminated colour digital photos, we were able to construct our own PICAXE 8M Uni boards. We started with our own green Uni board PCB and put the resistors in first, as they didn’t have polarity (They could go either way around). After checking, we soldered them in. We continued to put in the other components. When finished, we down loaded a program to see if it worked. Some of us got it correct first time but Pat had to help the others.

Past PICAXE 8M Models Pat showed us various PICAXE 8M models from the past to encourage us in our own designs like the - Infrared Crane, Dancing Robots, Washing Machine, Bumper and Line Tracking Mouse, 20 Tunes Test, 7 Segment Display, Ball Tube, Colour Ball Sorter, LED Sorter, Pneumatics, Servo Motors and many other ideas.

Designing our own Model Once we had our Down Load Cable and Uni board completed, we were given the task of designing our own model. Most Year 7 students made an extension board of their favourite character which played a tune and flashed lights. Some Year 7 students made a Line Tracking Mouse, Fan-Ball Tubes, 7 Segment Displays and some girls built Robby the Walking Robots. Most of the ‘Yr 9/10 Robotics’ class made various types of Robots and programmed them to do different tasks.

Working at Home Now that we have our own Down Load Cable, Uni Board and model, we can do some modifying and playing at home. We can show our friends and family what cool things we have achieved. Pat lent us the CD of the Programming Editor to take home to put on our own computers. We could also have downloaded it from the Picaxe website, although it is about 26 MB but it is free.

Interest from other schools While Diamond Valley College has been having fun with PICAXE, lots of other schools from all over Victoria and Australia are contacting Pat McMahon, our technology teacher. Some of our class sheets are being used by teachers as far away as in Papua New Guinea. Pat has presented at various Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and at Conferences showing our PICAXE models and what we have achieved at Diamond Valley College. We get lots of visiting teachers and Pat gets lots of phone calls and s asking for ideas and help. Our models sometimes get lent to other schools, so their teachers can show their students, what can be done with the PICAXE 8M.

Thank You We are proud to be involved in the ASISTM PICAXE Project in 2006/7. Thanks to Dr Howard Nicholas, Wang Ng, Phil Pawlowski, Tony Stevens, Chris Taylor and Katrina Snow from Latrobe University. Thanks to all the students at Diamond Valley College for their keen interest in the PICAXE project. A special thanks to all the students who assisted with the making of slide shows presentations, display models, digital photographs, laminated cards, set up displays and helped in the making of the various Robots. Thanks to Diamond Valley College and the other schools involved in the Picaxe project with Latrobe University, for this special experience. Students of Diamond Valley College Footnote The skills that the students have mastered are demonstrated not only by the models on display but by the confidence that they now have in programming, constructing and diagnosing of faults in electronics. The students have benefited now and will take these skills with them into the future. Pat McMahon-ASISTM Project Leader for Diamond Valley College