Modular interactive educational device for teaching scientific and technological concepts.

Abstract

An interactive educational device characterized by comprising a structural chassis, a programmable electronic controller mounted on said chassis, at least one sensor connected to the electronic controller, at least one actuator connected to the electronic controller, and a communication module that allows connection to a screen or external computer equipment.

Description

Modular interactive educational device for teaching scientific and technological concepts TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention falls within the field of educational and scientific experimentation devices, particularly in the area of ​​interdisciplinary STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. The device is intended for hands-on learning through the observation and analysis of physical and mathematical phenomena using a physical system with an electronic controller, sensors, and actuators. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In today's educational landscape, various learning kits and robots exist that focus on developing programming or basic robotics skills. However, these products have significant limitations when the aim is to integrate their use into an interdisciplinary STEAM environment, where educational objectives extend beyond simply controlling motors or sensors and focus on understanding abstract concepts such as motion, energy, physical quantities, proportionality, and feedback. Furthermore, existing devices often offer a closed and predetermined interaction, without allowing direct manipulation that facilitates the visualization and understanding of complex phenomena. The device described in the present invention arises to cover this deficiency by means of a physical, modular and interactive educational device, which combines existing technological components such as line, distance or light sensors with a pre-configured programming environment. Its purpose is to provide a tangible educational tool that allows users to conduct experiments and observe the results obtained on screen or on the device itself. Thus, this device introduces a direct, bidirectional interaction between the user and the technology, allowing for the visualization of physical responses in real time. This capacity for observation and controlled experimentation makes it possible to analyze phenomena that are traditionally abstract or difficult to grasp in compulsory secondary education. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The device described in the present invention consists of a physical and interactive educational device intended for interdisciplinary teaching in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) environments. The device combines electronic and mechanical components controlled by a programmable microcontroller, integrating different sensors and actuators that allow for the visual and experimental observation and analysis of scientific and mathematical phenomena. The device is generally composed of the following elements: A modular structural chassis, made up of interlocking building blocks, allows for precise and reproducible device configuration. This chassis acts as the physical base on which the other components are installed and is designed to ensure the overall stability of the assembly. Main controller, consisting of a programmable electronic unit responsible for processing information from the sensors and sending control signals to the actuators. This controller can incorporate a pre-configured program for managing sensors and actuators, allowing the device to be put into operation with basic configurations. Sensors, comprising a set of interchangeable sensors of various types, including, but not limited to, sensors for light, temperature, distance, acceleration, pressure, color, sound or line tracking. Actuators, which comprise elements capable of producing physical responses to the controller's commands, such as motors, servomotors, LED lights, displays, indicators, or buzzers. Communication and display interface, through which the device can be connected by cable or wirelessly to a computer, tablet or mobile phone, allowing the display of the data obtained. Power supply, comprising a rechargeable battery or an external low-voltage power supply that allows the device to operate autonomously. The device's main advantages are its modular, reproducible, and pre-configured nature, which facilitates its configuration and use in different environments. The combination of a modular chassis with a set of sensors and actuators allows for immediate use of the device, focusing its use on the observation and analysis of phenomena. In this way, the device offers a technical solution that integrates electronic and mechanical components into an operating system configured for experimentation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description being made and to help in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a figure is included in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1.- Diagram of the elements of the interactive educational device. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The following describes a practical embodiment of the device described in the present invention, with reference to the elements represented in Figure 1, without implying any limitation as to possible constructive or functional variants. The interactive educational device is built on a modular structural chassis, assembled using compatible building blocks that allow for a stable and easily replicable configuration. The chassis can be assembled using visual instructions, ensuring the correct placement of the electronic components. An electronic controller is mounted on this chassis, responsible for receiving information from the sensors and sending the corresponding commands to the actuators. Sensors may include, but are not limited to, devices that measure light, distance, temperature, pressure, color, or sound, which allow the measurement of physical variables and the generation of data. The controller can incorporate a pre-configured program that manages communication between sensors and actuators, allowing the device to be put into operation with basic configurations. Actuators execute commands from the controller and can consist of motors, servomotors, LED lights, buzzers, or auxiliary displays, providing a physical or visual response. The device connects to a screen or computer via wired or wireless connection, allowing the visualization of collected data and generated results. The unit is powered by a rechargeable battery or low-voltage source that ensures autonomous use. The industrial application of the device is obvious, as it can be manufactured with standard components and reproduced in educational or experimental settings. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The invention that is the subject of this utility model has clear industrial application, since the device can be manufactured using standard electronic and structural components available on the market, integrated into a reproducible modular system. Its design allows for mass production, configuration according to educational level, and direct implementation in schools, laboratories, or STEAM training environments, facilitating its distribution and maintenance. The device is safe, replicable and adaptable to different contexts, meeting the technical requirements necessary for its manufacture and use in educational and applied research environments.

Claims

1. An interactive educational device characterized by comprising a structural chassis, a programmable electronic controller mounted on said chassis, at least one sensor connected to the electronic controller, at least one actuator connected to the electronic controller, and a communication module that allows connection to a screen or external computer equipment.

2. An interactive educational device according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural chassis comprises modular elements that can be assembled together to support the electronic controller, the at least one sensor, and the at least one actuator.

3. An interactive educational device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor is selectable from among a light sensor, a temperature sensor, a distance sensor, a pressure sensor, a color sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a sound sensor. 4.An interactive educational device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuator is selectable from a motor, a servomotor, a light indicator, a buzzer, or an auxiliary display.

5. An interactive educational device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication module comprises a wired or wireless interface for data exchange with a computer, tablet, or mobile phone.

6. An interactive educational device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a rechargeable power supply or an external low-voltage power input.