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Pulse Width Modulation Kit

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A 9th-grade lesson kit that teaches PWM by dimming an LED with a potentiometer, with an OLED for output.

Source book: Learning MicroPython
Kit page: https://dmccreary.github.io/learning-micropython/kits/pwm/
Printable one-pager: pwm-one-pager.html

Features

  • Explain the concept of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
  • Assemble a basic circuit on a breadboard
  • Program a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller
  • Understand the relationship between duty cycle and LED brightness
  • Analyze how PWM is used in everyday technology

Benefits

  • Free, open lessons: the Learning MicroPython textbook has the kit page, wiring, and MicroPython code.
  • Ready-made curriculum: 4 additional lab pages walk students through the build step by step.
  • Classroom friendly: built on a solderless breadboard or no-solder connectors.
  • Try before you build: an interactive MicroSim on the kit page runs in the browser.
  • Instant feedback: students see their code's results on lights or a display.
  • Budget: about $19 (sum of the listed parts: Pico $4, breadboard $1.75, potentiometer $0.50, LED $0.05, OLED $13).

Parts

  • Raspberry Pi Pico ($4) — Microcontroller
  • 10K Potentiometer — Input knob
  • SG90 Micro Servo — Motor / actuator
  • Single-Color and RGB LEDs — LEDs
  • SSD1306 128×64 OLED — Display
  • 830-Point Breadboard ($1.10) — Breadboard
  • Micro-USB Data Cable ($2.50) — Power and programming cable