ICS2O-E Independent Study Projects (ISPs): Fall 2019

Independent Study Projects. Please read the philosophy of 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, possibly, a problem that needs a solution. Boyan Slat did at age 17 when he was in high school; four years later he was 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. Above all, remember this is your education. You can choose a path of little resistance, but who would you be short-changing?

You'll be expected to maintain the progress of your ISP so have your phone handy to at all times to capture the images of your journey. Be conscious of the fact that a two-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 for sale in the Dragon's Lair or beyond, reaching an even a broader audience. Previous Year's ISPs

ACE
TITLE
DESCRIPTION (copied directly from the author's proposal)
Connor C.
Auto Fish Feeder
This device will be able to automatically feed the fish in my backyard by using a light sensor to determine whether or not it is time to feed the fish.
Liam C.
The Analog Noise Level Meter
A microphone will be used as an input and the output will be displayed on four led bar graphs driven by LM3914 chips.
Xander C.
The Analog Traffic Light
A traffic light with a bi-color LED as the pedestrian signal and a 7-segment display as the countdown timer.
Sebastian G-V.
Proximity Water Dispenser
A 3D printed water tank will hold water, above it will be a proximity sensor. Using this proximity sensor the circuit will not dispense water when the button is pressed if there is not enough water, this will be shown by a bicolor LED changing from green to red.
Jack G.
The Student Counter
This project will be able to tell students what day it is (day 1, 2 etc.), as well as display what classes they have that day. This would most likely be personalized. This circuit would use multiple 555 timer chips to supply a clock to the decade counter. The outputs of the decade counter would display information through a segment display (Number of segments to be decided). This would accommodate for community time and things of the like
Marten L.
Game Show Buzzer Circuit
There will be two buttons that will be operated by two different people. Like a game show, the two people will be asked a quiz question, and if one knows the answer, they will press their button. The one who presses their button first will have their LED and buzzer (connected to their button) continuously go off until the game organizer presses the third button that resets the whole circuit.
Aiden M.
Capacitor
In this project I will try to create a functioning capacitor. I will try to make it a low voltage capacitor and I will try to make it breadboard compatible.
Julian M.
LED Pressure Sensor

Using a proximity(?) SENSOR, I will make LEDs turn on how close an object is to the sensor.

Fraser S.
Thermometer
A thermometer with an ammeter to show its output.
Christian V.
 
Aidan C.
The Noisy Buzzer
My project will consist of 3 LED’s: one green, one yellow and one red. It will also have a microphone and a Buzzer. The microphone will pick up sound in the room and the green, yellow or red light will turn on varying on the decibels the microphone picks up. If the noise reaches a certain level, the buzzer will go off until the noise comes down.
Gregory C.
The Loud Noise Monitor
This project will be designing a circuit that measures my volume while at my desk through the use of microphone, a bar graph, a buzzer and LED. This project will have two settings, day mode: which allows more volume before alerting the user, and night mode: which is more sensitive. This device will alert me when I am being too loud while at my desk, and will let me know my maximum amount of volume before having to quiet down.
Yarema D.
Light Activated Security System
This project will create a security system which will be triggered when the light sensor is tripped. When the light sensor is tripped an LED will turn on. This is useful for applications like locker and toolbox security. When they are closed it is dark inside them, but when they are opened light will flood them and trigger the LED (alarm).
Callum F.
The Piano Keyboard
This project uses an NE555 IC chip and 8 buttons to create a piano in which you can play different notes. The sound for this piano comes out of the buzzer.
Charlie L.
Bargraph Microphone
For this project there will be a bar graph linked to a microphone to measure the  amount of sound that is being projected. the microphone will first be in a breadboard then will switch to a breadboard style pcb like what was used in the altoid tin project.
Harry M.
Bargraph Thermometer
A column of LEDs ranging from blue to red are connected to a lm3914 bar graph driver. The lm3914 uses a lm35 thermometer as it’s input. As the temperate lowers the LEDs starting at the top red end will go out.
David N.

Digital Thermometer
This project uses two main chips, three transistors and two seven segment displays. The most important of all pieces is the lm35 temperature sensor. It tells the temperature which is then converted in the chip to an analog voltage. This is used to show the temperature on the three seven segment displays.
Harry P.
The Lightsaber
The Lightsaber is designed to work exactly like a lightsaber from Star Wars. Therefore, it will be designed to first, when the button is pressed, have the LEDs light up one after the other while all staying on. When the button is pressed a second time, they will go off in the reverse order they went on.
Adam S.
Volume Challenger
A microphone will pick up noise and display the amount of noise on a bar graph. If the bar graph goes above a certain amount of LED’s lit up, it will allow current to pass through. That current will activate an LED.
Owen V.
Airplane Lights Simulator
This project simulates the light patterns of a commercial airplane. It has 3 LED’s that do not change color, and 3 LED’s that flash. This is done by using the NE555 chip, and the CD4017 chip.
Sean W.
Motorized LEGO Car
My project will be a Lego car that is powered by motors and controlled by switches and potentiometers. The car will go forwards and backwards and the speed can be increased or decreased.  
Grade Contribution to Final Mark
10
30%
11
S:M = 10%:30% = 40%
12
S:M:L = 10%:20%:30% = 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.