Weekly Schedule

Week 1 (12 Jan 2026 - 19 Jan 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 12 Jan 2026)

Lectures

• C++ Syntax
• Course Introduction
• Electricity
• Intro to Making Smart Devices
• Kit Overview
• LEDs and Digital Output
• Photon 2 Microcontroller
• Safety

Assignments

Due the following week

• #0 - Installation and Setup (Due: Sun Jan-18 @ 11:59 pm)
• #1 - Basic Blink (Due: Sun Jan-18 @ 11:59 pm)

Week 2 (19 Jan 2026 - 26 Jan 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 19 Jan 2026)

Lectures

• Analog to Digital Conversion
• Analog Input with Potentiometers
• Analog vs. Digital
• For Loops in C++
• Pulse Width Modulation
• Serial Monitor
• Software Tools

Assignments

Due the following week

• #2 - Light Sculpture (Due: Sun Jan-25 @ 11:59 pm)

Week 3 (26 Jan 2026 - 02 Feb 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 26 Jan 2026)

Lectures

• Push Buttons
• C++ Functions and Libraries
• Digital Input
• Multimeters
• RGB LEDs
• Switches

Assignments

Due the following week

• #3 - Scanning Light (Due: Sun Feb-01 @ 11:59 pm)

Week 4 (02 Feb 2026 - 09 Feb 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 02 Feb 2026)

Lectures

• Multi Tasking
• Cloud Communication - Overview
• Cloud Communication - Publish
• Photoresistors
• Quiz 1 Review

Assignments

Due the following week

• #4 - Dice (Due: Sun Feb-08 @ 11:59 pm)

Week 5 (09 Feb 2026 - 16 Feb 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 09 Feb 2026)

Lectures

• APIs and Webhooks
• Data Visualization and Dashboard with Initial State (Single Values)
• OLED Screens and I2c Communication
• Reading Resistor Bands
• TMP36 Analog Temperature Sensor

Assignments

Due the following week

• #5 - Button Timers (Due: Sun Feb-15 @ 11:59 pm)

Week 6 (16 Feb 2026 - 23 Feb 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 16 Feb 2026)

Lectures

• Creating IoT Mobile Apps with Blynk
• Magnetic Switch

Assignments

Due the following week

• #6 - Environment Monitor and Dashboard (Due: Sun Feb-22 @ 11:59 pm)

Week 7 (23 Feb 2026 - 02 Mar 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 23 Feb 2026)

Lectures

• Sound and Piezo Buzzers

Assignments

Due the following week

• #7 - Preliminary Proposal Ideas for Final Project (Due: Sun Mar-01 @ 11:59 pm)

Week 8 (02 Mar 2026 - 09 Mar 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 02 Mar 2026)

Lectures

• State Machines Part 1 - Overview
• State Machines Part 2 - Stoplight Example
• State Machines Part 3 - Dish Washer Example
• Switch / Enum Part 2 (Switch)

Assignments

Due the following week

• #8 - State Machine Tea Brewer with Blynk (Due: Sun Mar-15 @ 11:59 pm (two weeks))

Week 9 (09 Mar 2026 - 16 Mar 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 09 Mar 2026)

Lectures

• Bluetooth
• DC Motors
• LiPo Battery
• Photon 2 BLE Syntax
• Servo Motors
• Soldering

Assignments

Due the following week

Spring Break

Week 10 (23 Mar 2026 - 30 Mar 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 23 Mar 2026)

Lectures

• OLED Screen Graphics (I2C)
• Ultrasonic Distance Sensor

Assignments

Due the following week

• #9 - Bluetooth Car (Due: Sun Mar-29 @ 11:59 pm)

Week 11 (30 Mar 2026 - 06 Apr 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 30 Mar 2026)

Lectures

• Creating JSON with ArduinoJson Library
• JSON Overview
• Parsing JSON with ArduinoJson Library
• Retrieving Data from APIs
• Retrieving Data from APIs using Mustache Templates (optional)
• Sending Multiple Values to Initial State using JSON

Assignments

Due the following week

• #10 - Smart Watch Build (bring to class) (Due: Sun Apr-05 @ 11:59 pm)
• #12 - Project (Due: Proposal due Sun Apr-05 @ 11:59 pm; Milestone due Sun Apr-26 @ 11:59 pm; Finished device and presentation during the Final Exam Time listed in the Schedule of Classes (in person) Mon May-11 @ 8-10am for MW class and Wed May-13 @ 12-2pm for TTh class)

Week 12 (06 Apr 2026 - 13 Apr 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 06 Apr 2026)

Lectures

• Heart Rate Sensor (Pulse Sensor Amped)
• Smart Watch

Assignments

Due the following week

Week 13 (13 Apr 2026 - 20 Apr 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 13 Apr 2026)

Lectures

• Accelerometer

Assignments

Due the following week

Week 14 (20 Apr 2026 - 27 Apr 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 20 Apr 2026)

Lectures

• Quiz 2 Review
• RFID (Radio Frequency ID Scanner )

Assignments

Due the following week

Week 15 (27 Apr 2026 - 04 May 2026)

Readings / Videos / Pre-Lecture Activities

• Pre-Lecture Activities (complete prior to 27 Apr 2026)

Lectures

• PIR - Passive Infrared Sensor
• Sleep and Battery Conservation

Assignments

Due the following week

Bonus Material

Pre-Lecture Activities / Reading / Video

Lectures

• Debouncing
• DHT20 - Temperature and Humidity Sensor
• I2C LCD Screen
• IFTTT
• Interrupts
• Losant Cloud Platform and Interface
• Cloud Communication - Calling Functions
• Cloud Communication - Subscribe
• Cloud Communication - Accessing Variables
• RGB and Gesture Sensor
• Software Timers
• OLED Screens (old SPI version)
• ThingSpeak Integration

Assignments