Free educator handout · averyjparker.com · 2026
ESP32 classroom lab pack
Lesson-plan wrapper around the free ESP32 Starter Kit for STEM clubs and intro maker courses.
Learning outcomes
- Flash and run a first ESP32 sketch safely
- Wire a button, LED, and one sensor with a labeled diagram
- Document expected vs actual output (IT-grade honesty)
- Optional: publish telemetry to a classroom MQTT broker (advanced period)
Suggested schedule (5 × 50 min)
| Session | Focus | Done when |
|---|
| 1 | Toolchain + blink | Board enumerates; LED blinks from student sketch |
| 2 | Input (button) | Debounced input changes serial output |
| 3 | Sensor | Stable readings with units written down |
| 4 | Actuator (low-V relay/LED load) | Safe load toggles; no mains work |
| 5 | Show & post-mortem | One-page lab report: goal, result, what broke |
Classroom BOM (example ×10 stations)
| Item | ×10 | Notes |
|---|
| ESP32 DevKit | 10 | USB data cables (not charge-only) |
| Breadboard + jumpers | 10 | Labeled spare bag per table |
| LEDs + resistors pack | 10 | Current-limit resistors required |
| Pushbuttons | 20 | Extras fail first |
| DHT22 or BME280 | 10 | Pick one sensor family for the term |
| Opto relay (low-V practice) | 5–10 | No mains in class |
Standards alignment notes (flexible)
Map locally to your state’s CTE / computer science / engineering strands. This pack supports: computational thinking, systems troubleshooting, data measurement, and safe lab practice. Not a certified curriculum product — adapt freely.
Safety non-negotiables
- No mains voltage projects in K–12 labs without qualified supervision and policy
- USB power only for core labs
- Eye protection when clipping/soldering if your lab allows solder
Student deliverable template
- Goal (one sentence)
- Wiring photo or sketch
- Code link / paste
- Expected output
- Actual output
- What broke / what you’d change
Companion: Start here · ESP32 hub · Free kit HTML/PDF on the shop page.