I love these ask and educator Q&As on adafruit.com. Here is a collection for reference. They contain boat loads of useful information for and engineering student. Enjoy!!

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.

via adafruit industries blog http://bit.ly/O7eYxO