School teacher Adam Kemp tackles your questions in our “Ask an Educator” column! If you’ve got a question, ask away! Here’s a recap of this year’s questions so far:

STEM

• What undergraduate majors are encompassed by STEM? 
• Is there any sort of Wikipedia for STEM curriculum? 
• How do you inspire middle/high school girls to get involved in STEM courses? 
• How do you teach STEM concepts to kindergartners and 1st/2nd graders? 
• What are some STEM resources for making lesson plans?

Electronics

• How can I use IR sensors to detect where someone is sitting in a room? 
• What is the difference between the different types of diodes? 
• Can I use a 3V lithium battery in a 3.3V circuit? 
• How do I verify Ohm’s law when using a battery? 
• Can I power an EL sheet with a 3V battery? 
• How can I control a solenoid or motor with an H-Bridge? 
• How can I convert an analog value to a digital one? 
• Making a non-inverting op amp circuit on a breadboard 
• What is the functional difference between stranded and solid-core wire? 
• How do I choose resistors to match a multiplexed led matrix? 
• Can scrap EL sheet still be used? 
• Can 3.3VDC, 5VDC and 9VDC share a common ground?

Microcontrollers

• Whats the difference between Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard, etc? 
• How do I make things move with an Arduino? 
• Is there a free AVR simulator I can download or use online? 
• Is there a way for an Arduino to turn itself off? 
• How can I control the speed of a motor with Arduino? 
• How can I control a security gate with my Arduino? 
• How can I control an old RC car with an Arduino? 
• What is the best path if you want to progress from Arduino to bare AVRs? 
• How can I use a microcontroller to monitor a VAWT?

Education

• How can I suggest that Arduinos be introduced into my university computer science curriculum?
• How do I add a robotics class to my high school classroom? 
• How do I start a robotics program at our small academy in Ibiza, Spain! 
• How do you teach Art and Design to science/engineering students? 
• What are the first things that students new to engineering should learn in the classroom? 
• How do you teach a subject that you are not an “expert” in? 
• Where can I learn about basic electronics if my school doesn’t offer any courses? 
• How can I teach my 12 year old to code? 
• Math & Electrical Engineering? 
• How can I teach electronics concepts to 1st graders? 
• How can I explain a sine-wave to a 13 year old? 
• How can I visualize what transistors and capacitors do? 
• What would you suggest for a Arduino workshop for 7-10yr. olds?

Miscellaneous

• Can EL wire be used as guitar strings? 
• How can I maintain temperature of my home-brew while it ferments? 
• How can I keep power to an AUX device in my car? 
• What software would you use to design a 3D printer? 
• How can I measure the height of my model rocket?
• Where can I find materials for my projects?
• How can I focus a 1W laser diode for a laser engraver project?

Adafruit for Educators! #backtoschool

Please visit our educator’s section to learn more about:

• Adafruit volume discounts and programs for educators, discounts galore!
• Adafruit electronic kits, products, Arduino & Raspberry Pi products for education, we have’em!
• Adafruit products and Arduino for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Used in schools!
• The Adafruit System, the best way to learn electronics!
• Adafruit iron-on “skill badges” / patches and partners, celebrate skills building!
• Resources for educators, our picks for educators!
• Adafruit for educators content on Adafruit.com, daily posts for educators!
• Circuit Playground – iPad/iPhone App For Educators, volume discounts via Apple’s edu program!
• Adafruit copyright permission for educators, educators can use them, hassle-free!

Visit.