Programming Design Challenge w/ Arduino (Computer Science/Engineering)

Working in groups, students experience an engineering design process in the designing, building, and programming of an automated machine which solves a given problem. The lesson provides students the option to solve one of four different problems each requiring a combination of programming, electronics prototyping, and physical building. Students are asked to document their design process in an engineering notebook. The following is an example of one of these problems:

Railroad Crossing Problem: A prototype of a railroad crossing gate and warning light is needed which senses the lights of a train and provides car drivers proper warning.

I used the Vilros Arduino Uno 3 Ultimate Starter Kit with my students (link below) but you could use other electronic prototyping platforms or modify the activity to work with the browser-based Arduino simulator provided by TinkerCAD (link below). I didn't limit students to a particular set of materials, but cardboard and tape would likely be all you need. Lesson also includes a rubric.

Arduino Uno 3 Ultimate Starter Kit

TinkerCAD Arduino Simulator