Module 0 · Hardware literacy

First steps with the Uno.

Students meet the board as a system: pins, power, breadboard, and a program that makes something in the room change. This is the foundation for every later sensor.

2 × 45 minNo extra librariesPhysics + CSOnboard LED first

Arduino Uno labeled parts — Keep this diagram on the board. Ask students to point, not just name.

What Arduino is, in one sentence

A small computer that reads inputs (sensors, buttons) and drives outputs (LEDs, motors, relays). The Uno is the right first board: documented, sturdy, enough pins, not too many.

Parts they must find with a finger

USB — power and upload
Digital 0–13, analog A0–A5
GND, 5V, 3.3V
Onboard LED on pin 13
Reset and the ATmega328P

Equipment

Component	Qty	Purpose
Arduino Uno	1	Controller
USB cable	1	Power and upload
Breadboard	1	Solderless wiring
LED	1–2	Visible output
220Ω resistor	1–2	Current limit
Jumpers	~4	Connections
Arduino IDE 2.x	1	Sketches
Tinkercad / Cirkit Designer	1	Simulate first

Exercise 1 · Blink

No external circuit. Proves board, cable, COM port, and the upload toolchain.

Line	What to say in class
`const int ledPin = 13;`	Name the pin once. Change it later without hunting the whole file.
`setup()`	Runs once. Configure pins here, not in loop.
`pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);`	The pin is a speaker, not a microphone.
`digitalWrite / delay(1000)`	HIGH is on. 1000 ms is one second. Change it; watch the world change.

blink.ino

const int ledPin = 13;

void setup() {
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
  delay(1000);
}

Tools → Board → Arduino Uno
Tools → Port → the live COM port
Upload. Onboard LED blinks once per second.

Exercise 2 · External LED

First real circuit. Schematic, photograph, and code must agree. Pin 8 through 220Ω to the LED anode; cathode to GND.

Uno	Component	Note
Pin 8	LED anode (+)	Through 220Ω
GND	LED cathode (−)	Direct

external_led.ino

const int ledPin = 8;

void setup() {
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  delay(500);
  digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
  delay(500);
}

Breadboard LED wired to pin 8 — Figure from the source document: physical breadboard wiring.

Student tasks

Basic Change delay. Explain what the LED is doing in milliseconds.

Intermediate Move the LED to another pin and update the constant.

Advanced Add a button with INPUT_PULLUP.

Challenge Three-LED traffic sequence.

Cross-curriculum

Subject	Hook
Physics	Current, voltage, why the resistor limits current
Computer science	setup / loop, digital states, timing
Technology	Breadboard as a prototype tool
Art	Sequence and rhythm as a designed light object

Next: Processing