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How to Use MakerEdu Creator: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

Image of MakerEdu Creator
Cirkit Designer LogoDesign with MakerEdu Creator in Cirkit Designer

Introduction

The MakerEdu Creator by Makerlabvn is a versatile educational platform designed for hands-on learning. It enables users to create, prototype, and experiment with electronics and coding projects. This component is ideal for students, educators, and hobbyists who want to explore the fundamentals of electronics and programming in an interactive and practical way.

Explore Projects Built with MakerEdu Creator

Use Cirkit Designer to design, explore, and prototype these projects online. Some projects support real-time simulation. Click "Open Project" to start designing instantly!
MakerEdu Creator with Bluetooth, IR Sensors, LCD Display, and Push Button Interaction
Image of MKL Distance Measurement: A project utilizing MakerEdu Creator in a practical application
This circuit features a MakerEdu Creator microcontroller board interfaced with two MKE-S11 IR Infrared Obstacle Avoidance Sensors, a MKE-M02 Push Button Tact Switch, a MKE-M15 Bluetooth module, and a MKE-M08 LCD2004 I2C display module. The push button is connected to a digital input for user interaction, while the IR sensors are likely used for detecting obstacles. The Bluetooth module enables wireless communication, and the LCD display provides a user interface for displaying information or statuses.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
I2C LCD and LED Control via BlynkGate with MakerEDU Shield
Image of kxnTest: A project utilizing MakerEdu Creator in a practical application
This circuit is designed to interface with Blynk, a platform for controlling Arduino over the internet, and display data on an LCD screen. It includes a MakerEDU Shield connected to two MKE-M01 LED Modules and two MKE-M07 LCD1602 I2C displays for user interaction. The BlynkGate modules are likely used for communication with the Blynk service, and the MTiny Programmer is for programming the microcontrollers. The embedded code suggests that the circuit can receive input via Blynk and display values on the LCDs while also controlling the LEDs.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
ESP32-Based Obstacle-Avoiding Robot with Ultrasonic Sensors and MPU-6050
Image of mazesolvingrobot: A project utilizing MakerEdu Creator in a practical application
This circuit is a maze-solving robot that uses an ESP32 microcontroller to control two DC motors via an L298N motor driver, guided by three HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection and an MPU-6050 for orientation sensing. The robot navigates by reading sensor data and adjusting motor speeds to avoid obstacles, powered by a 2x 18650 battery pack with a voltage regulator.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino-Controlled Obstacle Avoiding Robot with Ultrasonic Sensor and L298N Motor Driver
Image of مشروع مركبة ذاتية تتفادى الحواجز: A project utilizing MakerEdu Creator in a practical application
This is a mobile robot platform controlled by an Arduino UNO with a sensor shield. It uses an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor for obstacle detection and a servo motor for directional control. The robot's movement is powered by gearmotors controlled by an L298N motor driver, and it is designed to navigate by avoiding obstacles detected by the ultrasonic sensor.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Explore Projects Built with MakerEdu Creator

Use Cirkit Designer to design, explore, and prototype these projects online. Some projects support real-time simulation. Click "Open Project" to start designing instantly!
Image of MKL Distance Measurement: A project utilizing MakerEdu Creator in a practical application
MakerEdu Creator with Bluetooth, IR Sensors, LCD Display, and Push Button Interaction
This circuit features a MakerEdu Creator microcontroller board interfaced with two MKE-S11 IR Infrared Obstacle Avoidance Sensors, a MKE-M02 Push Button Tact Switch, a MKE-M15 Bluetooth module, and a MKE-M08 LCD2004 I2C display module. The push button is connected to a digital input for user interaction, while the IR sensors are likely used for detecting obstacles. The Bluetooth module enables wireless communication, and the LCD display provides a user interface for displaying information or statuses.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of kxnTest: A project utilizing MakerEdu Creator in a practical application
I2C LCD and LED Control via BlynkGate with MakerEDU Shield
This circuit is designed to interface with Blynk, a platform for controlling Arduino over the internet, and display data on an LCD screen. It includes a MakerEDU Shield connected to two MKE-M01 LED Modules and two MKE-M07 LCD1602 I2C displays for user interaction. The BlynkGate modules are likely used for communication with the Blynk service, and the MTiny Programmer is for programming the microcontrollers. The embedded code suggests that the circuit can receive input via Blynk and display values on the LCDs while also controlling the LEDs.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of mazesolvingrobot: A project utilizing MakerEdu Creator in a practical application
ESP32-Based Obstacle-Avoiding Robot with Ultrasonic Sensors and MPU-6050
This circuit is a maze-solving robot that uses an ESP32 microcontroller to control two DC motors via an L298N motor driver, guided by three HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection and an MPU-6050 for orientation sensing. The robot navigates by reading sensor data and adjusting motor speeds to avoid obstacles, powered by a 2x 18650 battery pack with a voltage regulator.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of مشروع مركبة ذاتية تتفادى الحواجز: A project utilizing MakerEdu Creator in a practical application
Arduino-Controlled Obstacle Avoiding Robot with Ultrasonic Sensor and L298N Motor Driver
This is a mobile robot platform controlled by an Arduino UNO with a sensor shield. It uses an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor for obstacle detection and a servo motor for directional control. The robot's movement is powered by gearmotors controlled by an L298N motor driver, and it is designed to navigate by avoiding obstacles detected by the ultrasonic sensor.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications and Use Cases

  • Educational projects for learning electronics and coding
  • Rapid prototyping of small-scale electronic circuits
  • Interactive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshops
  • DIY projects and maker activities
  • Integration with microcontrollers like Arduino and Raspberry Pi

Technical Specifications

The MakerEdu Creator is designed to be user-friendly and compatible with a wide range of components and microcontrollers. Below are its key technical details:

Key Technical Details

Parameter Specification
Operating Voltage 5V DC
Input Voltage Range 4.5V - 5.5V DC
Maximum Current Output 500mA
Communication Protocols I2C, SPI, UART
GPIO Pins 8 (Digital/Analog configurable)
Dimensions 80mm x 60mm x 15mm
Weight 50g
Compatibility Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, etc.

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

The MakerEdu Creator features a simple pin layout for easy integration with other components. Below is the pin configuration:

Pin Number Label Description
1 VCC Power input (5V DC)
2 GND Ground connection
3 GPIO1 General-purpose I/O pin (Digital/Analog)
4 GPIO2 General-purpose I/O pin (Digital/Analog)
5 GPIO3 General-purpose I/O pin (Digital/Analog)
6 GPIO4 General-purpose I/O pin (Digital/Analog)
7 SDA I2C Data Line
8 SCL I2C Clock Line

Usage Instructions

The MakerEdu Creator is designed to be beginner-friendly while offering advanced features for experienced users. Follow the steps below to use the component effectively:

How to Use the MakerEdu Creator in a Circuit

  1. Power the Board: Connect the VCC pin to a 5V DC power source and the GND pin to ground.
  2. Connect Peripherals: Use the GPIO pins to connect sensors, actuators, or other components. Configure the pins as digital or analog as needed.
  3. Communication: Use the I2C (SDA, SCL) or UART pins to interface with microcontrollers like Arduino or Raspberry Pi.
  4. Programming: Write and upload code to your microcontroller to control the MakerEdu Creator and connected peripherals.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

  • Ensure the input voltage does not exceed 5.5V to avoid damaging the board.
  • Use pull-up resistors for I2C communication if not already included in your setup.
  • Avoid drawing more than 500mA of current to prevent overheating.
  • Double-check all connections before powering the board to prevent short circuits.

Example: Using MakerEdu Creator with Arduino UNO

Below is an example of how to use the MakerEdu Creator with an Arduino UNO to read an analog sensor and control an LED:

// Example: Reading an analog sensor and controlling an LED with MakerEdu Creator

const int sensorPin = A0; // Connect the sensor to GPIO1 (Analog pin A0)
const int ledPin = 9;     // Connect the LED to GPIO2 (Digital pin 9)

void setup() {
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); // Set GPIO2 as an output pin
  Serial.begin(9600);      // Initialize serial communication
}

void loop() {
  int sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin); // Read the analog value from the sensor
  Serial.println(sensorValue);            // Print the sensor value to the Serial Monitor

  // Map the sensor value to a PWM range (0-255) and write to the LED
  int ledBrightness = map(sensorValue, 0, 1023, 0, 255);
  analogWrite(ledPin, ledBrightness);

  delay(100); // Small delay for stability
}

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues and Solutions

  1. The board is not powering on.

    • Ensure the VCC pin is connected to a stable 5V DC power source.
    • Check for loose or incorrect connections.
  2. I2C communication is not working.

    • Verify that the SDA and SCL lines are correctly connected to the microcontroller.
    • Use pull-up resistors (typically 4.7kΩ) on the SDA and SCL lines if required.
  3. GPIO pins are not responding.

    • Confirm that the pins are configured correctly in your code (e.g., as INPUT or OUTPUT).
    • Check for short circuits or incorrect wiring.
  4. The board overheats during operation.

    • Ensure the current draw does not exceed 500mA.
    • Check for any components that might be causing a short circuit.

FAQs

Q: Can the MakerEdu Creator be powered by a battery?
A: Yes, as long as the battery provides a stable voltage within the range of 4.5V to 5.5V.

Q: Is the MakerEdu Creator compatible with 3.3V logic devices?
A: Yes, but you may need level shifters to safely interface 3.3V devices with the 5V GPIO pins.

Q: Can I use the MakerEdu Creator with a Raspberry Pi?
A: Absolutely! The MakerEdu Creator is compatible with Raspberry Pi and can be connected via GPIO or I2C.

Q: Does the board include built-in pull-up resistors for I2C?
A: No, you will need to add external pull-up resistors if your setup requires them.

By following this documentation, you can effectively use the MakerEdu Creator for a wide range of educational and prototyping projects.