Using Arduino Uno Microcontroller to Create Interest in Physics

Abstract

Arduino microcontrollers are becoming increasingly popular in the physics/astronomy community. These devices can provide more in-depth labs on mechanics, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, etc., in addition to programming. These devices can be readily utilized to reach more non-physics/astronomy majors and underrepresented STEM students. The hands-on approach facilitates the learning of physics concepts and their applications in everyday life. This paper describes how Arduino Uno microcontrollers were used as an extra credit exercise to create interest in physics and to understand some basic physics concepts. The idea was experimented in an algebra-based undergraduate physics course at a four-year college. In the various phases of this exercise, students moved from replication of known projects to simple yet interesting applications. The activity was kept optional due to resource limitations, namely instructor time, availability of a sufficiently large lab to accommodate all students of a class at the same time or more than one time, and lack of enough support staff. For the same reasons, this was the only extra credit activity offered to students. The results presented in this paper reflect the activity spread over a few semesters. An anonymous survey was conducted at the end of the activity for student feedback. The survey and comments of some students are included at the end.