Tinusaur Starter NXT is the set of electronic boards for assembly and programming that we work with (hence the name “NeXT“) after Tinusaur Starter EDU. Suitable for 6th to 12th-grade students. It is for upgrading the knowledge and skills already acquired from the previous levels.
The most important thing that this kit adds is the servo motor and, more specifically, working with mechanical systems. Another addition is the Hall sensor, where we study magnetism and its application in science and practice.
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- The Tinusaur Starter NXT set is suitable for 6th to 12th-grade students.
- Working with it covers 24 to 32 classes of 2 study hours, i.e., 2 academic terms.
Example project
Automated access control system (parking type) with a barrier controlled by a servo motor, a magnetic sensor with the Hall effect, 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) Assembling the two electronic boards – one with a microcontroller (microprocessor) and another with a Hall sensor, sound, indication, and servo motor control.
(2) Acquiring knowledge and skills in programming, mathematics, physics, etc., to implement functions for performing specific tasks for solving specific problems.
(3) Projects. Work on practical-oriented projects is the main visible result that participants achieve during the course. The projects can be both individual and team, but in all cases, they are presented to an audience as part of the class work.
The knowledge and skills acquired while working with this kit allow the development of more complex team projects with two Tinusaur boards that connect and exchange data to build a more complex system.
Technical description and contents
The Tinusaur Starter NXT kit consists of 2 electronic boards for assembling, one of which is the main microcontroller board and another with digital and analog input-output devices, including a Hall effect sensor. The kit includes a servo motor.
- The main board is powered by the popular Microchip ATtiny85 microcontroller. The board has a button, a programming connector, a battery socket, and a battery.
- The additional board is called Shield MAGx3IO and has several components, the main 3 being a bright white LED, a Hall effect sensor, and a buzzer. The board has a servo motor connector.
- The kit includes a servo motor.
- The kit also includes a wooden stand, bracket, and servo arm with a magnet – for convenience while working on 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
- Hall 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.