Tinusaur Kids.Mini is a miniature computer that every student can assemble, learn to program, and work on interesting and practical projects. It is suitable for 5th and 6th-grade students who have already worked with Tinusaur Kids.Micro, to build on the already acquired knowledge and skills from the previous level. The kit consists of an electronic circuit board with a microcontroller (a type of microprocessor) on which various electronic components are located. The kit includes an SG-90 servo motor for working with mechanical systems and a power pack of 2 AAA batteries.
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- The Tinusaur Kids.Mini kit is suitable for 5th and 6th-grade students.
- Working with it covers 24 to 32 classes of 2 study hours or about 2 academic terms.
An example project could be an access control system with a barrier or door controlled by a servo motor, using a light sensor, sound and light signaling, and a button to control the operating modes.
IMPORTANT: This is an upgrade kit, meaning that: (1) To take advantage of it entirely, you must have previously worked with at least one Level-1 Starter Kit; (2) This kit DOES NOT include the USB Programmer because it is part of Level-1 Starter kits.
👉 If you need a USB Programmer and don’t have one, consider ordering it.
Activities
(1) Assembly. The board from the Tinusaur KidsMini kit must be assembled by each of the course participants by soldering the electronic components with a soldering iron. This is very easy to do at the beginning of the course with the help of our detailed instructions.
(2) Acquiring knowledge and skills in programming, mathematics, physics (electricity and mechanics), etc. Pre-assembled boards can be programmed to perform functions for solving specific problems.
(3) Projects. Working on practical-oriented projects that solve real problems is the main visible result that participants achieve during the course. The projects can be individual or in teams, but in all cases, they should be presented to the rest of the students as part of the class work.
You could extend the Tinusaur Kids.Mini kit to create more complex projects and to achieve more. For example, you could build an enclosure or a special frame that serves your project’s purpose. The necessary materials are not included in the kit but could be obtained from various sources.
Technical description and contents
The Tinusaur Kids.Mini set consists of: 1 electronic board for assembly with a microcontroller and input-output devices, both digital and analog; servo motor; power supply kit.
- The board is powered by the popular ATtiny85 microcontroller from Microchip.
- The board has an LED, photoresistor, buzzer, and a button.
- There are also 2 connectors for programming and for a battery.
- Servo motor for projects with mechanical systems.
- Power supply set with 2 pcs. of AAA batteries.
- The set also includes a wooden stand for more convenient work on the projects.
- The kit DOES NOT include a USB programmer, as it is part of the previous level’s kits.
IMPORTANT: The product you get might have slight differences from what you see in the pictures or the detailed description. The functionality remains as described.
Resources
Guides
We prepared very detailed instructions for assembling and using all the boards and other items in the kit. They are available in PDF and other formats.
Video
For some of the boards and other items, we also produced detailed instructions and other helpful materials in a video format, available on YouTube or our website.
Docs & Specs
Additional resources such as specifications, technical descriptions, sample programs, and other useful materials are available on our website.
Development Environment
We created the Blocktinu, developed specifically for the Tinusaur boards, allowing you to create programs using blocks (similar to Scratch) and directly in the C language.
Topics, Projects, Experiments, and Activities
Below, you will find topics, projects, experiments, and activities that you could work on with the help of the Tinusaur kits.
Formal Science
Mathematics, Computer Science,
Programming, Logic.
- Basics of Programming: Algorithms, variables, conditional statements, logic operations, loops, functions, etc.
- Optimal value search, binary search.
- Coding and encryption. Protection of information.
- Microprocessor systems and microcontrollers.
- Input-output devices, sensors, transducers.
- Signals and modulations, Pulse-width modulation.
- Autonomous systems for collecting information from sensors.
- Sensor data collection, analysis, and response.
- Automated computer control systems.
- Control systems based on information collected from sensors.
Natural Science
Physics, Biology.
Physics
- Electricity and electrical circuits, applicable laws.
- Voltage, current, and resistance. Capacitance, Transducers.
- Signals – digital and analog parameters of signals.
- Sound generation and light emittance.
- Magnetism, magnets, and polarity.
- Hall effect and magnetic field sensing.
Biology
- Light and perception of light by the human eye.
- Sound and perception of sound by the human ear. Ultrasound.
Applied Science
Engineering, Robotics,
Agriculture, Environmental.
Engineering
- Electricity and electrical circuits, applicable laws.
- Voltage, current, and resistance. Capacitance, Transducers.
- Signals – digital and analog parameters of signals.
- Sound generation and light emittance.
Robotics
- Light sensors for proximity sensing, positioning, and speed detection.
- Mechanical systems, forces, and movement.
- Rotary or linear actuators.
- Electromechanical control systems, PID controllers.
Agriculture
- N/A (check our other products)
Environmental
- Electrical energy efficiency.
- Pulse-width modulation for energy saving.
Arts
Music
- Audio signal, period, and frequency. Sound generation.
- The tones in music and their frequencies.
- Duration of tones and its relation to the frequency.
- Creating melodies.
Multidisciplinary
Other technical,
Business, Entrepreneurship,
and all of the above.
Other Technical
- Analog-to-digital converters.
- Fast-blinking LED and frames-per-second in the TV.
Business and Entrepreneurship
- Development of a prototype of a real product with practical applicability.
- Presentation of an entrepreneurial project.
- “Game of Companies”: Development of a team project with practical applicability; Presenting the project to a virtual investor.
Still wondering what educational products to choose for your new STEM space or initiative?
Here are the three essential components that we give you:
Educational
STEM product
A real educational product developed by a team of skilled educators with many years of practical experience.
Educational
content
Adaptable and ready to be used in class curriculum. Developed for teachers by teachers and tested in practice.
Training for
educators
Extensive online teacher training based on our original STEM methodology includes theory, practice, and certification.