Beyond Binary: Building Blocks of Digital Decisions

Online Materials:

• Tinkercad: tinkercad.com
• (optional) LED resistor calculator: https://circuitdigest.com/calculators/led-resistor-calculator (for students who want to change/edit proposed designs)
• Google Forms (to introduce the design scenarios and guide student thinking and planning)
• • Smart Pet Door Design (4 student roles)
  • Automatic Headlight Control System (4 student roles)
  • Small Business Security System Project (4 student roles)
  • Injury Prevention System for a Mechanical Press (4 student roles)
  • Chemical Production Plant Safety Device (3 student roles)
  • Smart Greenhouse Ventilation System (3 student roles)

Note: Within these forms there are links to two YouTube videos to help students review logic gates and truth tables. The links to these videos are below:

• • Logic Gates Explained (8:40 minutes)
  • Understanding Logic Gates (7:27 minutes)

Each group needs:

• 1 roll of copper tape (each student needs approximately 30 cm)
• 7 transistors (2N2222)
• 1 9V battery 
• 1 9V battery connector 
• 1 roll of masking tape 
• 1 pair of scissors
• assorted resistors
• assorted LED diodes 
• (optional) 1 breadboard 
• (optional) 30 jumper wires for breadboarding
• (optional) 1 push button for breadboard
• (optional) OR gates-premade 
• (optional) AND gates-premade
• (optional) NOT gates-premade 
• (optional) multimeter for checking connectivity or troubleshooting gates

Each student needs:

• 1 laptop or tablet with access to Google Forms (however, the instructions from these could be printed)
• 1-2 notecards (each student needs at least one)
• Beyond Binary Worksheet (PDF)
• Beyond Binary Quiz (PDF)

For the entire class to share:

• 1 laptop or tablet with a projector and internet access (to show YouTube videos in Beyond Binary Presentation (PPTX))
• whiteboard and dry erase markers

For the teacher:

• 1 Beyond Binary Worksheet Answer Key (PDF)
• 1 Beyond Binary Quiz Answer Key (PDF)
• 1 Logic Equations, Diagrams, and Truth Tables Slideshow (PDF)
• (optional) Google Form pdfs to create Google Forms:
• • Smart Pet Door System Google Form (PDF)
  • Smart Automobile Headlight Control Google Form (PDF)
  • Security System for a Local Small Business Google Form (PDF)
  • Injury Prevention System for a Mechanical Press Google Form (PDF)
  • Chemical Manufacturing Safety System Google Form (PDF)
  • Smart Greenhouse Ventilation System Controls Google Form (PDF)
• Materials necessary for building each type of gate (to better understand the construction process and anticipate potential challenges)