Concept List — Computational Thinking with STEM Robots
240 concepts in pedagogical order. Labels are Title Case, ≤32 characters.
Foundation Concepts (1–10)
- Computational Thinking
- Abstraction
- Algorithm Design
- Decomposition
- Pattern Recognition
- Problem Solving Strategy
- Debugging Fundamentals
- Testing and Iteration
- Physical Computing
- Experiential Learning
Development Environment (11–18)
- Thonny IDE
- Thonny Installation
- REPL Interactive Shell
- Thonny File Upload
- Syntax Highlighting
- UF2 Firmware File
- BOOTSEL Button
- USB Cable Connection
Python Programming (19–54)
- MicroPython Overview
- Python Syntax Basics
- Variables and Assignment
- Integer Data Type
- Float Data Type
- String Data Type
- Boolean Data Type
- Arithmetic Operators
- Comparison Operators
- Logical Operators
- If Statement
- Elif and Else Clauses
- For Loop
- While Loop
- Nested Loops
- Function Definition
- Function Parameters
- Return Values
- Scope and Local Variables
- Global Variables
- Exception Handling
- Try Except Finally
- KeyboardInterrupt Handling
- Importing Modules
- Built-in Libraries
- Lists
- List Indexing
- List Iteration
- Tuples
- Dictionaries
- String Manipulation
- Formatted Strings
- Comments and Code Style
- Modular Programming
- Reusable Functions
- Import Config Pattern
Hardware Platform (55–68)
- Microcontroller Overview
- Raspberry Pi Pico
- RP2040 Chip
- Raspberry Pi Pico W
- Cytron Maker Pi RP2040
- GPIO Pin Basics
- GPIO Pin Numbering
- Digital Input Pin
- Digital Output Pin
- Flash Memory
- Pinout Diagram
- Grove Connectors
- Dupont Connectors
- Castellated Edge PCB
Electronics Fundamentals (69–80)
- Voltage and Current
- Basic Circuits
- Resistors
- Transistors
- Breadboard Layout
- Smart Car Chassis
- AA Batteries
- Battery Pack
- Power Management
- LiPo Battery
- Analog vs Digital Signals
- ADC Analog Digital Converter
Motors and Actuators (81–107)
- DC Motor Overview
- Motor Terminals
- Motor Direction Control
- Motor Forward Motion
- Motor Reverse Motion
- Motor Stop
- H-Bridge Circuit
- H-Bridge Switch States
- DPDT Switch
- Motor Driver IC
- Pulse Width Modulation
- PWM Duty Cycle
- PWM Frequency
- 16-Bit Duty Cycle Values
- Motor Speed Control
- PWM Motor Control Code
- Left Motor Control
- Right Motor Control
- Differential Drive
- Servo Motor
- Servo Angle Range
- Servo PWM Calibration
- Servo Sweep Code
- Linear Range Mapping
- Piezo Buzzer
- Tone Frequency Control
- Sound Feedback
Sensors and Input (108–126)
- Sensor Types Overview
- Time-of-Flight Sensor
- VL53L0X Sensor
- ToF Sensor I2C Setup
- ToF Distance Reading
- Zero Distance Calibration
- Scale Factor Calibration
- Max Distance Limit
- Ultrasonic Sensor
- Ultrasonic Trigger Echo
- Infrared Sensor
- IR Digital Output
- IR Sensor Calibration
- Bump Switch
- Microswitch Wiring
- Potentiometer Input
- Sensor Calibration Process
- Sensor Data Filtering
- Sensor Fusion
Display and Output (127–148)
- NeoPixel LEDs
- WS2816 LED Strip
- RGB Color Values
- NeoPixel Library
- LED Animation
- LED Status Indicators
- OLED Display Overview
- SSD1306 Driver Chip
- I2C Display Mode
- SPI Display Mode
- Display Resolution
- Framebuffer
- Blit Operation
- Display Text Output
- Drawing Lines
- Drawing Circles
- Drawing Rectangles
- Bar Chart on Display
- Live Sensor on Display
- Animated Faces on OLED
- Distance Meter Display
- Servo Meter Display
Robot Behaviors (149–166)
- Open-Loop Motor Control
- Closed-Loop Feedback
- Feedback Loop
- Collision Avoidance
- Obstacle Detection
- Distance Threshold
- Random Turn Direction
- Collision Avoidance Code
- Line Following
- Dual IR Sensor Reading
- Motor Differential Adjust
- Line Following Code
- Robot Dance Sequence
- Timed Motor Patterns
- Config File Pattern
- Pin Assignment Constants
- Secrets File Pattern
- Gitignore File
Networking and Wireless (167–184)
- WiFi Overview
- Raspberry Pi Pico W WiFi
- WLAN Object
- Access Point Connection
- WiFi isConnected Check
- IP Address Retrieval
- Ping Test Slow Mode
- Ping Test Fast Mode
- Web Server Concept
- Socket Programming
- HTTP Protocol
- HTTP GET Request
- HTTP POST Request
- HTML Page Generation
- JavaScript Fetch API
- Port 80 HTTP Default
- IoT Internet of Things
- Secrets File for WiFi
Bluetooth and Swarm Robotics (185–210)
- Bluetooth Overview
- Bluetooth Low Energy BLE
- BLE vs Classic Bluetooth
- BLE vs WiFi Comparison
- BLE Advertising
- BLE Scanning
- GATT Protocol
- GATT Service Definition
- GATT Characteristic
- BLE Central Role
- BLE Peripheral Role
- BLE Connection Pairing
- BLE Message Sending
- bluetooth Module
- BLE Range and Power
- BLE Reliability
- Swarm Robotics
- Emergent Behavior
- Leader-Follower Pattern
- BLE Leader Robot Code
- BLE Follower Robot Code
- Collective Obstacle Avoid
- Swarm Algorithm Design
- Distributed Systems
- Convoy Following
- Synchronized Swarm Dance
Communication Protocols (211–221)
- I2C Bus
- I2C SDA SCL Pins
- I2C Frequency Config
- SPI Bus
- GPIO Interrupt Setup
- IRQ Falling Edge
- Button Debouncing
- Timers and Delays
- Serial Communication
- I2C Scanner Tool
- SPI vs I2C Comparison
Engineering Design (222–240)
- Engineering Design Process
- Build-Test-Improve Cycle
- Prototyping Methods
- Mechanical Design Basics
- No-Soldering Assembly
- Hardware Troubleshooting
- Software Troubleshooting
- Safety Practices
- Code Documentation
- Project Planning
- Team Collaboration
- Version Control Git
- Git Commit Workflow
- State Machine Pattern
- Multithreading Basics
- Asynchronous Programming
- PID Control Overview
- Encoder Motor Feedback
- Data Logging