Comet Kits
We designed and manufactured our own printed circuit board (PCB), 3D printed chassis design, catered software development environment, and a curriculum aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.
What is Comet Kits?
The Problem
Robotics kits that private schools and private programs use cost over $100 per kit. We believe that all kids should have the privilege and access to such learning tools at an affordable price, regardless of their background. Access to robotics kits gives everyone a chance at starting to develop the basic concepts of the STEM field.
Our Solution
Comet Kits are affordable, high-quality robotics kits designed to make STEM education accessible to everyone. These kits allow schools and programs with limited resources to give students the tools they need to explore robotics, problem-solving, and innovation.
Sponsored By
Impact
200+ Students
Schools
Ponderosa Elementary School, Central Park Elementary School, Bracher Elementary School, Don Callejon Elementary School, Laurelwood Elementary School
Recognition
Mayoral Recognition
NBC News Feature
A Custom Curriculum
Collaborating with the teachers in our district, we customized the program to suit the specific needs and interests of students. Seeing how crucial the engineering design process is, our four-week program explores each and every step in an engaging manner. So far, we have conducted the program at multiple elementary schools and received approval from the SCUSD board. We created an instruction manual on how to use the kits and it also explains more advanced concepts such as the PID controller. For the younger kids, we created worksheets with fun challenges and questions to help them understand the concepts better.
An example introductory worksheet
What's Inside?
Custom PCB with Arduino Nano ATMega328
Comet Kits feature an Arduino Nano ATMega328 microcontroller for versatile programming and control.
Learn MoreL293D Motor Driver with 2 Motors and MPU6050
Comet Kits come with motors that support a voltage range from 3V to 12V and offer a wide RPM range from 1500 to 13000, making them versatile for various applications. It also comes with a high quality IMU
Learn MorePower Supply
Comet Kits come with 5000mAH which outputs a 5V (2.1A) connection into the Nano. This large battery provides more than enough power, lasts hours of runtime, and takes less than an hour to charge.
Learn MoreHow does it work?
We created our own PCB board which directly plugs into the Arduino Nano GPIO Pins. The board is all plug and play meaning you can connect your own motors and sensors into it allowing for more endless possibilities. When using the default setup which includes two motors and the IMU (Inertial measurement unit) as well as the 3D printed case, we provide our own software for directly interfacing with the hardware. We also provide our own IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for Comet Kits.
Iterations
Over time, Comet Kits has gone through several iterations, improving design and functionality. Here are some snapshots of our progress:
Iteration 1: Initial Prototype
Iteration 2: Improved PCB Design
Iteration 3: Custom 3D Printed Chassis
Iteration 4: Refined Electronics
Iteration 5: Final Product Design
Meet our team
Our hardworking team that made this project possible.