Robotics 1.0 Lesson Plan
Lesson 24: Sound Check

Purpose: Learn how to work with any actuator by selecting one, understanding how it works, connecting it to CPX and Crickit, and controlling it using code, using speaker as the example actuator.

No. of. Classes

1 - (Time : 1:30 minutes, Each group maximum 4 children).

Materials Required

Laptop or desktop with Mu Editor installed.

CircuitPython installed on CPX board.

Circuit express board (CPX), USB cable, Crickit, 5v Battery.

Speaker

Jumper wires.

Curriculum Content 7.4 Speakers
8.3 Exploring Sensors and Actuators
9.1 Learning to connect new sensors/actuators
Prior knowledge

Know how to connect crickit with CPX and worked with external sensors and actuators with crickit and CPX.

Exercises

Exercise 1


  • Choose and Understand the Actuator

    For this lesson, we can select the speaker as the actuator.

    Learn how a speaker works using this official documentation in adafruit crickit page


    • Exercise 2


  • Connect the Actuator

    Connect the speaker to the CPX and Crickit using the correct signal, power, and ground wires.

    Click here for the wiring instructions

    • Exercise 3


  • Test the Actuator with Sample Code

    Use a simple CircuitPython program to make the speaker play a wave file.

    Click here for the sample code.
    Click here to download a sample wave file for playing

    • Solution


  • Click here to see the solution video for Exercise 3
  • Click here to see the code explanation for Exercise 3
    • Teacher's Instruction
    1. Explain what an actuator is and how it is different from a sensor.
    2. Introduce the speaker as the actuator used in this lesson.
    3. Discuss how a speaker converts electrical signals into sound.
    4. Show how to connect the speaker to the CPX and Crickit correctly using power, ground, and signal pins.
    5. Explain that the same learning steps can be used for other actuators like motors, servos, and lights.
    6. Guide students in testing and troubleshooting wiring or sound issues.
    7. Explain why only certain speakers (such as 4O or 8O speakers) work safely with this setup.
    8. Discuss how actuator specifications like resistance, voltage, and current affect performance and safety.
    9. Explain that using the wrong type of actuator can result in low output, distortion, or damage.
    10. How would you decide whether an actuator should be powered directly from the board or from an external power source?