Electronics with Brian 

Welcome to Brian's electrical engineering and electronics page! Last year, 2021-22, Brian taught a series of live classes each month, and we've put the recordings for all last year's classes on this page along with the parts lists, schematics, data sheets and resources you need so everything's in one place.

Brian's Electronic Lessons for Academic Year 2021-22

In these ten sessions, Brian provides an overview of various electronic topics.

They are followed by four videos that provide an introduction to transistors.

Sessions #1 & 2

Learn about electrical components, circuit design, and how to work with breadboards and read schematics with this hands-on build class with Brian! Plan to spend at least one hour with us per class as we work together to build your circuit right along together.  This class is open to all ages, all levels. You'll need materials from  the material lists, and we'll be re-using these items throughout the year. Click the link below for the separate itemized material list for this two day class.

Sessions #3, 4, 5 & 6

These classes are meant for all ages, all levels, and no previous experience is required. Please note that the materials for these classes are the same as for Unit 14. If you also have the Science Mastery Diamond program, pull out the packet that says "Electronics I" and also find the digital multimeter from "Alternative Energy" you'll have everything you need. If you'd like to go further after completing these, go here to Unit 14 to continue going further.

Sessions #7 & 8

 You’ll get to make your own electrical circuits with Brian! Refer to the second page of the Material Shopping List for special items you'll need for this week.

Sessions #9 & 10

These classes will go further into our adventure of electronics. You'll need a special of materials to build your circuits, and you can find this list here on page 2 OR purchase a kit directly from Brian at Future Vision Research.

Spring Break 2022: Introduction to Transistors

Brian is going to take you on a full week of electronics and circuit building in this special hands-on workshop! We're going to learn about bipolar junction transistors, amplifying signals, building circuits that control motor speed, and even sneak a peek into learning how to solder. The parts for the Monday-Thursday classes (download class descriptions and material list here) are included in FutureVision Research's Electronics Essentials kit.

 

 

Soldering Basics

In these three videos, Brian teaches the basics of electronic soldering, which is the permanent installation of electronic components onto a circuit board.

These videos show how to build the Soldering Basics kit available from FutureVision Research. Click here for more information on this kit:
fvresearch.com/product/soldering-basics/

 

 

Working with Multimeters

The following two videos provide an introduction to digital multimeters. These tools are used to measure qualities of electricity such as voltage, current and resistance.

Earth Science (May 2021 & 2022) Electronic Detectors

Here are Brian's videos showing how to build the Earth Science Electronic Detectors for May.

You will need specific electronic parts, plus some additional tools and supplies. Click here to download the shopping list and schematics for these projects.

FutureVision Research's Electronics Essentials Kit, provides all the electronic parts needed for these projects. (Multimeter is sold seperately.)

Light Listener

In this project, we’ll build a project to listen to pulses of light that come from fluorescent bulbs and other sources. We’ll use two integrated circuits (IC) called operational amplifiers to increase the signal from a phototransistor. We can then listen to that signal by using a speaker.

Monitor Sunlight

In this project, we’ll build a circuit to measure light from the sun and other sources. We’ll use an integrated circuit (IC) called an operational amplifier to increase the voltage from a solar cell and measure the output using a multimeter.

Wind Speed

In this project, we’ll build a device that uses wind to spin a DC motor. We can then measure wind speed using a multimeter.

Earth Movement Sensor

In this project, we’ll build a circuit to detect the motion of a magnet. We’ll use an integrated circuit (IC) called an operational amplifier to light up an LED when a magnet moves over a coil.

Sun Photometer

In this project, we’ll build a circuit to measure light using a LED. We’ll use an integrated circuit (IC) called an operational amplifier to increase the tiny voltage caused when light hits an LED.

LED Telemetry Transmitter

In this project, we’ll build a circuit to measure temperature using a special kind of resistor called a thermistor. We’ll use a special integrated circuit (IC) called the 555 timer to change the blink rate of an LED based on temperature.

Electronic Cricket

In this project, we’ll build a circuit to measure temperature using a special kind of resistor called a thermistor. We’ll use an integrated circuit (IC) called the 555 timer to change the rate of “chirps” based on temperature.