MAX98357A I2S Amplifier Kit
Replaces the robot's single-tone piezo beep with a class-D amplifier chip that drives a real speaker loud enough to fill a room on three AA batteries.
MAX98357A I2S Amplifier Kit
Key Features
- Lab 1. Meet Your Kit - turn it on and try
- Lab 2. Your First Sound - connect to
- Lab 3. Press the Button - the R2D2 sound
- Lab 4. Light Up the Display - draw
- Lab 5. Turn the Dial - the potentiometer,
- Lab 6. Volume Control Lab - the full
Key Benefits
- Free, open lessons. The STEM Robots textbook has the kit page, wiring, and MicroPython code.
- Ready-made curriculum. 6 additional lab pages walk students through the build step by step.
- Classroom friendly. Built on a solderless breadboard or no-solder connectors.
- Instant feedback. Students see their code's results on lights or a display.
- Budget. About $11–$15 (amplifier about $8–$12 on eBay, small 8 ohm speaker about $3).
Parts
| Part (price) | Role |
| Cytron Maker Pi RP2040 ($10) | Controller board (built-in RP2040) |
| 10K Potentiometer | Input knob |
| 8 Ω 50 mm Speaker | Sound output |
| TT DC Gear Motors | Motor / actuator |
| GC9A01 Round TFT ($3.19) | Display |
| MAX98357A I2S Amplifier ($0.99) | Audio amplifier |
| Momentary Push Buttons | Input button / switch |
| Piezo Buzzer / Speaker | Sound output |
| SG90 Micro Servo | Motor / actuator |
| 830-Point Breadboard ($1.10) | Breadboard |
| Micro-USB Data Cable ($2.50) | Power and programming cable |
Microcontroller listed first. Prices shown only where known; see the source book for quantities, wiring, and current prices.
About this kit: From the STEM Robots collection.
Source: STEM Robots
Source: STEM Robots