Independent Study Projects

2023-2024 ICS3U Independent Study Projects (ISPs)

Independent Study Projects. Please read our overview on why ACES pursue Independent Study Projects so vigorously.

Grade	Contribution to Final Mark
10	30%
11	40%
12	60%

For the bulk of your formal education you have been, and will continue to be, required to consume curriculum chosen for you by someone else. Hopefully you will put this knowledge and skill to good use in your future. However, jumping through someone else's hoops no longer secures future success. For that, you must put yourself in the driver's seat while in secondary school to both cultivate and demonstrate your own unique initiative, motivation, and passion. RSGC ACES program is explicitly built and tailored for you to foster these greater goals. Yes, there is much to learn but there are so many great projects to be undertaken and noble problems to be identified and solved that offer stimulating contexts within which to develop and refine your interests it will quickly seem more than worth the risk, effort, and cost.

To my mind, the characteristics of a great project include such aspects as imagination, creativity, a degree of risk and, sometimes, even simplicity, to name a few. Check out the flashlight circuit 'board' this guy made out of little more that a piece of paper and a pencil? Simple, but inspiring. Consider a problem that needs a solution. Boyan Slat did at age 17 when he was in high school; four years later he is

cleaning up the world's oceans. (Update: January 9, 2019) So, dig in, think, dream, research, and explore possible project pursuits. Be discerning: don't accept the first thing that comes along. You'll be expected to maintain the progress of your ISP on your web page to enable everyone to follow your efforts so have your phone handy to at all times to capture the images of your journey. Be conscious of the fact that a multi-page summary of your project will appear in your DER after Presentation Day for more permanent record of your efforts. You may wish to take into account the ISP Evaluation document that will be applied on your Presentation Day.

Also, don't underestimate the value of an enterprise/entrepreneurial aspect to your project that could see a number of units of your project in the hands of future ACES, for sale in the Dragon's Lair or beyond, reaching an even a broader audience.

2023-2024 Independent Study Projects

ACE	Short ISP (20%) Saturday October 14	Medium ISP (20%) Saturday January 13	Long ISP (20%) (Possibly) Saturday March 30
Proposals >>>	Short ISP Proposal	Medium ISP Proposal	Long ISP Proposal
Evaluations >>>	Short ISP Evaluation	Medium ISP Evaluation	Long ISP Evaluation
Aiden A. (0)	SHIFT REGISTER TRAFFIC LIGHT DESCRIPTION This project displays a traffic light on a street and uses the 555 coupled with a potentiometer for the clock, and shift registers to control the timing of the traffic light and the cars. Each car is represented by an LED and the traffic lights are constructed with three LEDs (red, yellow, green). The traffic light cycle is activated by pressing a button. When the traffic light is green, the LEDs light up one after another to act as if cars are flowing through the street. When the light turns yellow and then red, the LEDs slowly follow one another, turning off and appearing as if they flow out of the street. The cycle then repeats autonomously. MCU N/A HARDWARE The 74HC595 shift registers are the main components of the circuit, with a 555 timer used for the clock inputs of the 595s and a 4071 OR gate for the serial input and a 4069 NOT gate for the latch input of one of the 595s. Transistors and passive devices such as LEDs, resistors, capacitors, potentiometer(s) and PBNO(s) are included in the project. SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN After a breadboarded prototype is constructed, Fusion 360 will be used to create a case for the project which houses the circuit on a stripboard. MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNCATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNCATION
Camden A. (2)	LASER SENSOR SECURITY SYSTEM DESCRIPTION The laser sensor security system is a two-piece product that alerts a homeowner of intruders in their house. When there is an interference with the laser, the circuit will make a sound using a buzzer, showing that someone has broken in, as well as a light turning on to signify the breaking of the signal. When the laser pointer beam aimed at the LDR is interrupted, its resistance increases, causing a chain of events leading to a reaction from the 555-timer chip and a pulse from the output pin. This triggers both previously mentioned effects and will make a sound loud enough to deter anyone, which can only be stopped with the power switch at the side of the custom 3D-printed case containing the circuit. MCU N/A HARDWARE NE555P Timer IC, Laser Pointer, Photocell LDR, HK19F 5 V Relay, 5 mm Red LED, Buzzer, 10 KΩ Potentiometer, 10 KΩ Resistor, 1 KΩ Resistor, 330 Ω Resistor, Electrolytic Capacitor 10 µF, (2) Ceramic Capacitor 0.1 µF, 1N4004 Diode, Stripboard, Jumper Wires, Fusion 360 Case for Circuit, Fusion 360 Laser Pointer Holder, 5 V DC Adapter 2A. SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN Stripboard, 3D Printing (mounting to the wall). MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNCATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNCATION
Alex B. (0)	Hexadecimal Decoder DESCRIPTION This Circuit will be able to decode 4 Binary inputs into 7 different outputs for hexadecimal display. I will use a combination of XOR, NOR OR, and AND logic gates to decode the binary input into the hexadecimal display. When a binary value is inputted, the corresponding hexadecimal value will display on the 7-Segment display. MCU N/A HARDWARE 2 XOR IC logic chip 2NOR IC logic chip 1 OR IC logic chip 1 AND IC logic chip Rocker switches 7 segment display, Custom PCB Custom 3 printed Case. SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN I plan on starting by creating a breadboard prototype with a working Cricut. Once it is completed and working, I will transfer all the parts to a ~~Custom PCB designed with Eagle~~ , and a custom case using Fusion 360. MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNCATION
Nate C. (3)	Jeopardy buzzer buttons DESCRIPTION This project can be used for a quiz with up to 4 groups or individuals. Each group has a push-button and LED. When a trigger switch is pressed it lights the corresponding LED, sounds the buzzer and prevents the other trigger switches from working - therefore showing which contestant was the first to press their switch. A reset push-switch on a separate panel cancels the buzzer and switches off the LED so the circuit is ready for the next question. MCU N/A HARDWARE 555 Chip Push Buttons On and off switch Battery Buzzer SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN Stripboard, 3D Printing MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNCATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNCATION
Harsha G.(3)	PERSON DETECTOR CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION This project is designed to detect people or objects crossing between the Light-Dependent Resistor (LDR) and the laser beam by counting the interruptions between the path of the laser beam. The 555 chip, 4017 chip, 4510 chip, and 4511 chip will be used to convert the oscillations into readable numbers, displayed through the 7-segment displays. Each interruption triggers the 7-segment displays to track and display the number of interruptions, continuously counting until reaching 99. A buzzer will be integrated into the circuit to ring whenever an interruption occurs, providing a clear indication, and a reset button for user convenience. MCU N/A HARDWARE This project uses important hardware components such as a NE555 timer chip, a 4017-decade counter chip, a 4510 binary-coded decimal (BCD) up-down counter chip, a 4511 BCD, 7-segment displays, a 5V Piezo buzzer, and a LDR. SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN Will most likely be using a stripboard enclosed in a 3d printed case. MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Evan H. (0)	The Pulse Stopwatch DESCRIPTION This project utilizes our knowledge of the 555 timer as well as displays and logic chips to essentially create a timer much like a stop watch. The resistance given to the 555 will be precise and calculated so that it outputs 1 pulse per second. This will then be inputted into a counter circuit that will display this output on a 4-digit, 7 segment display. The final prototype of this project will be shown on a 3D printed hand-held prototype that will include a reset button. MCU N/A HARDWARE This project will utilize the 555 timer (configured for 1-second delay between outputs), PBNO buttons, a 9V battery, as well as some 4017 chips for the counter circuit. SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN The first version of this circuit will just simply be built on a breadboard. These versions will then slowly increase with complexity and resourcefulness, as the next version will be created on a stripboard as it allows more freedom within the soldering process. The V3 or final version of this prototype will be created using acrylic, a 3D printed case, ~~and a custom PCB~~. This final version will offer a sleek and functional finished version of the prototype. MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Chance H. (0)	Wheatstone Thermometer DESCRIPTION The circuit is designed to measure and visualize the temperature of a room. The circuit utilizes a 555 timer, thermistor, and Wheatstone bridge in order to record the temperature variations of its surroundings. The 555 timer is connected to a Arduino which presents the temperature on a LCD. MCU 328P HARDWARE The project uses a 555 timer, a Thermistor, an ATmega328P microcontroller, an Arduino (most likely a Nano or Uno), and possibly an LCD. SOFTWARE Arduino C DESIGN The prototype of the circuit will be made on tinkercad along with the preliminary code for the microcontroller. The final product will most likely be an encased in a 3d printed case. MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Rohan J. (0)	CUSTOM BIKE SPEEDOMETER DESCRIPTION This ISP will be a bike computer custom to my bicycle. Its capabilities will include current speed as well as total trip distance (until the device is turned off, via a switch on the side, at which point the trip is over and the distance will reset). In addition to an Atmega328P, the device will use a reed switch on the fork of the bike, and a magnet on one of the spokes of the bike. Using this mechanism, the device will know when the wheel has completed a full revolution. With access to the circumference of the wheel as well as precise timing between revolutions, the device will be able to find the immediate speed of the bike, and read it out to a series of seven-segment displays. It will also be able to calculate distance, based on the total number of revolutions completed. The displayed stat is controlled by a SPDT switch. MCU 328P HARDWARE The main hardware component used in this project is an Atmega328P microcontroller chip. It will also need four different single-digit 7 segment displays, and four CMOS 4511 BCD decoder chips to go along with them in order decrease the required number of I/O pins. In this configuration, each display uses only 4 I/O pins instead of 7. SOFTWARE Arduino C DESIGN The device (made on a point-to-point/perf board) will be housed in a 3D printed case, barely larger than the size of the seven-segment displays (there will be multiple layers of boards to ensure a small footprint). The top layer will only include the four seven-segment displays, a switch to toggle between distance and speed and the appropriate header pins. The bottom layer will contain all the electronic components, including the 4511s (display drivers) the 328P, and others. Additionally, the device will be detachable from the bike via a second 3D printed part. The second part will mount directly (permanently) on the bike, and allow the main device to clip into it. It will also have male header pins that can interface with female header pins on the main device to allow the reed switch signal to pass through to the main device. The side of the case will have the power switch to turn off the device when inactive. MECHANICAL Magnetic Reed Switch	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Jett K. (0)	TMP36 ARDUINO THERMOMETER DESCRIPTION A TMP36 temperature sensor will detect the temperature outside and translate it into an output voltage. This voltage is then read into an analog input of an Arduino. The code in the Arduino translates the voltage into a number in Celsius, which is then translated into a seven-segment display. Then, an SPDT slide switch will be used to determine whether the temperature reading is live or static. When the switch is on, the 4-digit display will store the temperature that was read at the time of the switch being turned on in its display. MCU 328P HARDWARE The major components are a TMP36 temperature sensor, a 5V power supply, an Arduino Nano, an SPDT slide switch, and a 5mm LED. SOFTWARE Arduino C DESIGN The first prototype will be on a breadboard. Once I have figured out the circuitry and code I will then move to a perma-proto board with soldering. With the perma-proto I will 3d print a case for the final piece. MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Triyan K. (2)	The Audio Amplifier DESCRIPTION This project builds on the 555 Timer to further explore the different type of waveforms that can be generated by oscillators such as the sawtooth, square, and triangle waves. In this project, a sine wave is produced to amplify audio signals through a speaker. This is done through a sine-wave oscillator with Op-Amps which integrate a continuous feedback system. The aim is that the speaker will produce sound that reflects the outputs of the sine wave. For example, as the wave rises, the speaker becomes louder and as the wave falls, the speaker gets quieter. There will also be a potentiometer to manually increase the volume. MCU N/A HARDWARE This project will involve Op-Amps which are intended specifically for audio applications. The sine wave oscillator will be in the form of an RC phase shift oscillator. Therefore, this project will require resistors, capacitors, jumper wires, a battery, a potentiometer, a speaker, diodes, and a transistor. SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN For this project, I will first create it on a breadboard, which will include all my components. After, I will solder all my components on a permaproto which will be encased in a 3D printed box using Fusion. In the final product, a potentiometer will be protruding from the case so that the audio output can be manually configured. There will also be a gap in the case to place my speaker. Additionally, the 3D printed box will have my initials on one side and the course code on the other. MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Rex L. (1)	555 Electronic Keyboard DESCRIPTION This is a 13-key electronic keyboard which utilize a 20 kΩ potentiometer network connected to a 555 IC to generate different sounds when a button is pressed, similar to a piano. The frequency that the speaker produces for each button press can be adjusted manually utilizing the potentiometers. MCU N/A HARDWARE NE555 13 * 20 kΩ Potentiometer 13 * Momentary PBNO 8 Ω Speaker Assorted Capacitors Assorted resistors SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN The circuit will be concealed in a 3D printed case utilizing a combination of permaproto and point-to-point boards. MECHANICAL Buttons as keys	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Oliver L. (0)	COPY AND PASTE MACRO-BOARD (PART 1 OF STREAM DECK FROM SCRATCH) DESCRIPTION This device will be able to copy and paste on Apple Devices or Windows. There will be two buttons, one for copying, and one for pasting. This will be the first step to creating my own “Micro Pad”/“Stream Deck” Basically programmable buttons for shortcuts on certain applications using Keyboard switches as inputs. MCU 328P HARDWARE Arduino Nano, Diodes, Resistors, and Custom PCB SOFTWARE Arduino C DESIGN I plan to first prototype this on a breadboard and once I get it complete and working, I will transfer and solder it onto a custom PCB with Eagle in a 3D printed case using Fusion 360. The PCB will be a custom 2x1 Keyboard PCB, Keyboard Switches will also be used. MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Lucas Q-T. (0)	Digital to Hexadecimal Converter DESCRIPTION In this ISP I will take lots of inspiration from the binary and hexadecimal game. I will be making an 8-bit binary to hexadecimal and decimal converter. It will have 8 input binary pins, 2 displays for the hexadecimal, and 3 other displays for the decimal. All the displays will be 7 segment displays. MCU N/A HARDWARE 5 7 Segment Displays, 8 Slide Switches SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN BreadBoard, PermaProto MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Goran S. (2)	Automatic Tuner DESCRIPTION As a Double Bass player, tuning the instrument before playing is required which is annoying to do. The Automatic tuner would listen to the frequency, or pitch the instrument is playing using a microphone. Then know what it is trying to tune to via a user interface, involving push buttons to select the note, a display to show what note is selected and how far off of the desired pitch it is. And finally, after being processed by an Arduino Nano, it would automatically turn a peg with a DC motor to tune the instrument. MCU 328P HARDWARE This project involves an Arduino Nano, which will allow the device to hear the pitch via the microphone and create output commands on the DC motor to tune the pegs, and an alpha numeric display to show the pitch and LEDs the distance off. The alpha numeric display and LEDs will be soldered to a point-to-point board with inline resistors. The DC motor will be controlled by a push button trigger, which will make it so that only when the trigger is pushed, does the motor spin. SOFTWARE Arduino C DESIGN I will get the device working first on a breadboard, then it will move into a custom 3D printed case created using Fusion, which will be modeled around the components so that it forms a power drill-like shape. The alpha numeric display and LEDs will be visible from a side so the user can easily see what is happening. In addition to this, there is going to be a trigger button, which will enable or disable the DC motor from spinning. Finally, the part which attaches to the tuning pegs will be removable from the motor, so that it can be changed with other designs. MECHANICAL DC Motor	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Seb T. (0)	Blinking Bow DESCRIPTION A bow that causes the tip of an arrow to start getting brighter when it is drawn. When the arrow is fully drawn, the tip arrow will start to blink. This will be caused by the voltage divider inside the bow, as springs will be placed inside. The farther back you draw the bow the less resistance the voltage will encounter as the springs will be wired a voltage divider (resisters in series). As the spring fully extends the voltage will run through a 555-time machine and the arrow will start blink. The string of the bow will be a conductive material split in the middle, and notching the arrow will complete the circuit causing the arrow to light up as there is circuitry on the inside the arrow. MCU N/A HARDWARE The main component is 555 IC chip. SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN The housing of the circuit will be half of a ¾ inch PVC Pipe bent in the shape of a bow. A spring will be placed inside with circuity on a PermaProto Board. MECHANICAL Sort of	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Atticus T. (0)	Heat Detection Fire Alarm DESCRIPTION The Heat Detection Fire Alarm is a circuit created that can read the temperature in a room. When the temperature reaches a certain degree, the Thermistor built within it will drop in resistance. Due to the drop in resistance, there is now a low-resistance path through the base of a transistor, a diode, and a capacitor. As the capacitor charges up, the time for which the alarm is on increases. Due to this, this will cause a speaker to relay a noise and an LED to go off. The LED and speaker will turn off once the temperature lowers enough to where the Thermistor’s resistance will increase, meaning a high-resistance current is now flowing. The circuit can be also be powered down by flipping the SPDT slide switch. MCU N/A HARDWARE The major components that are utilized within my circuit is the LM555 Timer, a 10 KΩ Negative Temperature Coefficient Thermistor and an 8 Ω Speaker. SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN For the first prototype, I am building my circuit on a breadboard to figure out how the circuit works and mess with the layout to see where I can compress certain features. I will follow this by designing and soldering my circuit ~~onto a custom PCB with Eagle~~ in a 3D printed case created using Fusion 360. MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION
Max Z. (1)	4-bit Calculator DESCRIPTION This is a binary adder, subtractor and multiplier. The adder is controlled through an XOR, AND, and OR gate configuration. The subtractor is controlled through NOR, NOT and AND gate configuration. Lastly, the Multiplier is an extended 4 by 4-bit adder. To control which configuration is receiving the binary inputs 2 single poll double throw switches will be used. Along with an EPROM version MCU N/A HARDWARE 20 4081 CMOS chips, 20 4070 or 4030 CMOS chips, 10 4001 CMOS chips. SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN 3D Printed Case and Breadboard MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION	? DESCRIPTION MCU HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN MECHANICAL COMMUNICATION