FAQ

We provide a summer program in the area of IoT (Internet of Things) and will expand to relevant courses in the future. The vision is to educate high school students to pursue technology careers by giving them the opportunity to explore technological areas encompassing electrical, electronics and computer sciences.

As of now we have Internet of Things Summer Program. However, in future the goal is to expand to relevant areas. Not just for certification but also innovation in area.

How is "AIoT Smart Labs" different from "BASIS Ahwatukee IoT and SMART Computing Club"?

"AIoT Smart Labs" is the overarching organization that manages chapters of clubs (e.g. "BASIS Ahwatukee IoT and SMART Computing Club"). Currently Managment team of AIoT Smart Labs is executing the same course work as summer program in BASIS Ahwatukee in the form of club.

Upon going through the course offered by this site, one can start their own club in their respective schools and AIoT Smart Labs will provide necessary guidance to get you started.

Is "AIoT Smart labs" a non-profit?

Currently, the AIoT Smart Labsis not a non-profit organization as we do not take any money in the form of fees or any donations. We are currently NOT registered as a non-profit or as a for-profit company. Think of this as a channel to help other high school students to spin IoT clubs in their schools. This is by organizing educational programs to get you started.

Do you accept donations?

No. We do NOT accept any donations. We do NOT take any fees.

Do you offer programs?

We do offer Summer Programs. Click here to check program overview

What else do you do?

We primarily work with the vision of transforming high school students into tech leaders. Summer programs are the starting point. From here, we encourage several high school students to start similar clubs. And from there, we want to evolve our activities to further expand this area in multiple areas. Such as community outreach, innovation, and application on an industrial scale. However, these are just my current thoughts. I have to see how these things will evolve in the future.

Are any of the positions paid?

None of the positions are paid. Any position here on the site is entirely a volunteering activity.

If I volunteer for the club, do they count as volunteer hours?

If your activity is considered a volunteer activity, it will count as volunteer hours. Below are the criteria.

Considered a volunteer activity:

Helping with any events, such as being a mentor for AIoT Smart Labs activities
Help reach out to people regarding AIoT Smart Labs or working in any position as a volunteer.
Starting a club in similar lines in your school by working with your school management.
It is up to you on how you want to contribute. A person can even come up with course work relevant to this. If our team approves that you can run the course as well via our platform. If the work is in line with the vision and mission of the AIoT Smart Labs, we can give volunteer hours. If you have more questions let us know via Contact Us form.

Note: Additionally, you can check your hours on the Certificate/Hours Verification Page.

NOT Considered a volunteer activity:

Taking the course is not considered volunteer. This is for your learning.

Summer Program FAQ

What is the summer program name?

Internet of Things Summer Program

How can I join?

We have recorded online and also live online at different times of summer.

Content in all dates, including the recorded ones, is the same. You may pick one based on your availability and also on available slots in each batch. There is no limit on the number of people to sign up for the online recorded version.

Check the Dates & Enrollment page to enroll.

Do I have to pay for the Summer Program?

We do NOT charge any fee. This year (2024) we will be using an online website (www.wokwi.com) for all of the projects that we do. The Summer Program (2024) is completely FREE to attend.

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OPTIONAL:

However, if you want to follow along with physical materials below are the resources. Note that projects with the physical materials will NOT be the focus of the Summer Program this year (2024). We will be using software as explained above.

The mandatory kits that you purchase from Amazon will not cost more than $100. Probably less based on how you procure the recommended list below.

Note: The Amazon links provided are NOT affiliate links. AIoT Smart labs or the organizers do not get any money from sellers/vendors of these materials directly or indirectly.

We recommend the suggested materials to do the projects mentioned in the course. Electronic items can be tricky. Sometimes you have to troubleshoot if something is working or not, same product can be made by several manufacturers and sometimes the configurations may be little different. So please be careful when buying from other sellers/vendors.

Recommended Kits that you would need to execute the projects (OPTIONAL):

Mandatory Items to execute the projects (Total Cost is around $100).

Rex Qualis Electronic Kit - Mandatory
Digital Multimeter - Mandatory
Batteries 9V Set 1 (2 Pack) - Mandatory (You would only need one 9V battery, you may buy one at Dollar Store)
Battery Clip (2 Pack)(Out of Stock) -> Purchase: Battery Clip (5 Pack) - Mandatory (One pack is necessary for our projects)
Micro Controller ESP 32 (2 Pack) - 38 Pin NARROW - Mandatory (One pack is necessary for our projects)
Ultrasonic Sensors (2 Pack) - Mandatory (One pack is necessary for our projects)
Micro USB Cable (3 Pack) - Mandatory (One pack is necessary for our projects).
- Note: Make sure you get a cable that can transfer data. Some charging cables might not have this function. If you have a cable that transfers data at home, you may use that.

Optional Items. These are not mandatory for projects in the course, but gives some convenience

Bag to Organize all kits - Optional but recommnded to organize above items. You may use ziplock bags or any other bags as an alternative.
Alligator Clips 2 pairs - Optional - To attach to multimeter probes to hold. You would only need one pair.

Do I have to use the same links to purchase the items? Are other links fine?

Note: This year (2024) we are using software to build the projects so buying physical materials is completely optional. Refer to this section.

You are welcome to buy the material needed from whatever vendor/source. However, we are using the material shown in the links while running the course (2023).

I found kits that are more expensive and have more tools.

Note: This year (2024) we are using software to build the projects so buying physical materials is completely optional. Refer to this section.

Well, it is up to you to make that decision. As far as the mentioned projects in the course are concerned, what we suggested is enough. This will get your foot into the door of IoT and provides enough foundation to explore areas such as electrical, electronics and computer science.

We are going to integrate these hardware components, software and cloud-based apps. And from there, the sky is the limit to how you would want to take the knowledge gained from the course.

I do not want to purchase any material. Instead, I just want to audit (just listen in) the course. Can I still join the summer program?

Note: This year (2024) we are using software to build the projects so buying physical materials is completely optional. Refer to this section.

This year (2024) it is not necessary to purchase any material.

In addition to the kits that I buy, what other equipment is needed?

You need a laptop to join online sessions and also install necessary software to do the projects.

How is this different from college-organized summer programs?

The curriculum of the club is based on summer programs of other universities. Universities offer two-week summer programs and they cost around $4500 (including accommodation though). Add your travel costs (flights etc.), and in total it would be more than $5000.

Whereas in our summer program, the course is free, material cost is nominal, and you join online from your home!

What will I learn from this program?

In the program you will understand IoT and SMART Technologies, learn Electronic Circuits and Components, learn the basics of computer programming, understand and select sensors and design IoT Systems by integrating hardware and software. Go over the course curriculum for more details.

Do you also cover Artificial Intellegence (AI)?

Not currently. Though AI algorithms can be integrated to IoT devices, the current course focus is integrating hardware and software. Refer to the course contents.

What are the qualifications for this program?

We recommend this for high schoolers (9th - 12th Grade) based on intensity of the program. However, this is not a rule. If you are in middle school or in college and would want to sign up, you are welcome to.

Do I need any recommendation letters to join?

No. Simply join by signing up.

Is the program online or on site? How do you organize?

The program is completely online and live sessions. You can join via zoom links sent to you.

How much time and effort is needed?

This is a one-week program (Mon to Fri). Similar to most universities' summer programs, except that it is completely online & live, so you can join from anywhere.

During the program weekdays, on a daily basis, there will be approx. two-hour meeting and about one hour-tasks at home.

I am stuck while doing the project. How do I get help?

It is quite common that one can encounter issues while doing electronic projects. Though the troubleshooting can be daunting, you can solve issues faster with more experience.

We will try our best to help you complete the projects. Via YouTube videos, live sessions, and a discord server.

I have more questions. How can I ask?

Click here for contact us page to ask your questions.

How do I enroll for the program?

Click here for Program Dates and Enrollment

Starting Another Club in my School FAQ

Can Summer Program helps to start a new club in my school?

The summer program helps high school student learn the course content and get a certificate. Once high school students learn via the summer program, it is up to them on how to take it forward:

Simply learn and get a certificate. You or anyone can verify the certificate on this verification link. One may explore their passion further on technology side on scaling up for new projects etc.
The other option is creating clubs with the learned knowlege to share the knowledge with other students via a club. You may run the same content as a club course work in your school.

I want to start and IoT club at my school. How can I do that?

Once you complete the course, if you are confident that you can execute a similar program by spinning a club at your school, you are more than welcome!

Yes, it requires a lot of commitment to execute everything. Leadership means helping others grow. If that is your passion, I recommend going for it. We will be with you to support you with our experience. Below I have some tips to get your started.

What support do I get from you?

Please note starting a club at your school is primarily between you and school management. However, here is how we can help.

I (Founder, Rishi S) will share my story/experiances of how I started a club at the school.
- How I started
- Promoting the club (Creating leaflets, URL links, etc.)
- You may consider the exact same course or modify it based on your skills, interest and needs in your school.
- We will share all the Power Point slides that we used in the course. If your course work is different, you have to work on them.
- Budgeting or costs for the club
- Help review your course content

Please note you are the leader driving the activity. You can decide what you want to execute. This course that you learned can be a starting point and from there you can take it up the way you want.

Can you show my club and my team on this site.

Yes, of course. With your consent, we will post your details under the chapters.