Independent Study Projects. Please read our overview on why ACES pursue Independent Study Projects so vigorously. 2017-2018 TEI4M Independent Study Projects (ISPs) |
Independent Study Projects. Please read our overview on why ACES pursue Independent Study Projects so vigorously.
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. 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 ER 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.
Short ISP Options
| ACE | Short ISP (4 weeks) |
Medium ISP (7 weeks) |
SMD Flex Circuit (3 weeks) |
Long ISP (8 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Canavan, S. |
Automated' Pinball Machine Part: 12V Solenoid Description: The pinball will use a solenoid to shoot a ball up and when the ball has come close to the paddles it will trigger an infrared sensor that is connected to stepper motors that will move the paddles and strike the ball. Power: 12V Processor: Mega328P CAD: The Paddles |
Security Camera Description: A camera mounted to a stepper (servo?) motor that rotates based on sensed by distance sensors placed around the camera. |
Day Counter Processor: 85 Language: Arduino C Power: 3.6V SolarFilm Additional ICs: RTC Description: A day counter that will simulate a 7-segment display from 14 SMD LEDs |
Muscle-Activated Prosthetic Hand Description: Using muscle-sensors the intent is to activate a 3D printed prosthetic hand will be moved by servos.
|
Dadyburjor, D. |
Day Clock Part: Large 7-Segment Display (CA)Description: Provide a superior day clock to replace the existing day clock with a two-piece case. Power: 12V Processor: ATmeg329P CAD: The two-piece case |
MASSIVE Digital Clock Description: This project wil lreplace the clock in the DES to display time and date |
Flex Page Inserts Processor:84 Language: Arduino C Power: 3.6V SolarFilm Description: Ultra-thin 3D printed diffuser skins for 7-segment, and matrix displays that can be laminated into users' flex pages. |
Speakqualizer Description: This will be an equalizer built into a portable speaker that will light up the enclosure. |
Logush, O. |
Title: Rail Gun Part: Ball Bearing Description: The ball bearing will be accelerated through a 3D printed track. Electromagnets will supply the acceleration. Once it reaches the end of the track it will shoot out, becoming a 'dangerous' projectile :) Power: 12V Processor: ATmega328P CAD: The rail |
DIY CNC Mill v1 Description: This project will be a CNC mill with the ability to cut various materials using a subtractive manuafacturing process. The goal is to have it precise enough to cut PCBs. |
Flex Matrix 2.0 Processor: 85 Language: C Power: 3.6V SolarFilm Additional ICs: 595's Description: This is an update of my Grade 11 version that includes an ISP flex connector. |
DIY CNC Mill v2 User Manual Description: In addition to completing my Medium ISP, a DIY CNC Mill, the primary focus for my Long ISP is to develop a comprehensive user manual so ACES in the future can use my device for their own project goals.
|
McAuliffe, E. |
Title: Relay Logic Adder Part: 5V Relay Description: This project uses relay logic to add 2 nibbles together to output the sum on LEDs Power: 5V Processor: Atmega328P CAD: Box/Case |
Photophone Description: This device will use light to transmit data/sound beteeen two points. |
Thermometer/Stopwatch Processor: 84 Language: AVR Assembly Power: 3.6V SolarFilm Additional ICs: MCP9808 (MSOP-8) Description: |
8-bit Computer Description: I will create a 4/8-bit computer with custom PCB as a kit for future Grade 12s. The PCB wil integrate diagnostic LEDs and 7-segment displays |
Morland, T. |
Title: USB Cup Cooler Part: Thermoelectric Cooler (Peltier Tile)Description: Use a Peltier device coupled with an active heat sink to cool a cup of hot liquid. Power: 5V Processor: ATmega328P CAD: Case |
VariAC:
Reflow Oven Upgrade Description: instead of controlling the oven via switching, I'm switching to a variable transformersystem with USB interface |
GPS Logger Processor: 328P Language: C Power: 3.6V SolarFilm Additional ICs: 1.8V buck converter GPS Receiver Pass. Antenna EEPROM |
Tetris A simple Tetris handheld unit displayed on an 8x8 matrix controlled by four buttons. Programmed entirely in Assembly :)
|
Peterson, E. |
Title: EEPROM Burner Part: AT28C17 EEPROM, ZIF Socket & Arduino Shield Description: This EEPROM Burner will use an Arduino to write to the EEPROM IC to permit Grade 12s to program their CHUMP processors developed in class. Possible PCB and/or case in lieu of Shield. Power: 5V Processor: ATmega328P CAD: A case |
Binary Challenge Device Description: A PCB-based device incorporating a standalone 328P to recreate the fmaous Cisco Binary Challenge Game on a physical device. Seven segment displays will be used to present the score and the number. 100% ASM! |
Flex Equalizer Processor: 328P Language: ??? Power: 3.6V SolarFilm Additional ICs: MSGEQ7 Description: A 7x4 LED matrix will be constructed as a display for the audio spectrum analyzer |
Binary Game Console Description: A wall-mounted version of the Binary Challenge played by Grade 10 ACES. Guests and other visitors to the DES can take a crack at the as it wil lbe mounted at the front door of the DES. |
Schaffer, J. |
Title: Recordable EASY Button Part: EASY Button and Digital Recorder Description: I will modify the EASY Button to output customized voice recordings. Power: 9V Processor: ? CAD: The Button Box |
PID Ball-Balance Beam Description: This project will use PID to when, and by how much to tilt a beam to balance a ball in the middle of the beam (PID: Proportional-Integral-Differential) |
Piano Game Processor: 328P Language: Arduino C Power: 3.6V SolarFilm Additional: SMD buttons and buzzer Description: Each of 4 buttons return an audible frequency |
Rubik's Cube Mechanical Solver Servos attached to the faces of the cube will implement my algorithm for solving a Rubik's Cube.
|
Sheeres-Paulicpulle, A. |
Automatic Cooler Part: 12V DC Fan Description: A temperature sensor will be cooled by a fan. until as desired temperature is reached. The fan will then remain on to keep it at that temperature. Power: 12V Processor: ATmega328P CAD: Project Box |
Self-Stirring Cup Description: The project will stir a cup, display the speed and offer the user a choice of speeds. |
Magnetic Lock Processor: 85 Language: Arduino C Power: 3.6V SolarFilm Additional ICs: none Description: Switch enabled in-page coil creates a field that induces a lockable external device |
RC Hovercraft Description: Arduino controlled RC communicates with the Hovercraft via NRF24L01 |
| Grade | Contribution to Final Mark |
|---|---|
10 |
30% |
11 |
50% |
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. Fortunately (hopefully) you will put this knowledge and skill to good use in your future. However, jumping through someone else's hoops alone does not, typically, secure future success. For that, you must demonstrate your own initiative, motivation, and passion. These qualities need to be cultivated and our Grade 10 hardware course is a perfect place to start. There is so much to learn and there are so many great projects out there that offer stimulating contexts within which to develop and refine your interests.
