Arduino, robotics & electronics
Build your first robot: a 6-week online robotics course for ages 11 to 18
Six weekly, one-to-one sessions, taught live in a free browser simulator. No kit needed to take part.
Book a free consultationHow it works
The whole course runs in Tinkercad Circuits (free), a free browser simulator, so kit is optional. If you already have an Arduino kit, we also build the same project on real hardware alongside the simulation.
We never sell kits. There is nothing to buy from STEMForge at any point in this course.
Week by week
Every week is built in Tinkercad Circuits first. If you have your own Arduino kit, we then build the same circuit on real hardware.
01
Circuits and first code
What a circuit is, breadboards, LEDs and resistors. Write your first Arduino program and make an LED blink.
02
Inputs and decisions
Push buttons, variables and if/else. Project: a working traffic light with a pedestrian button.
03
Sensing the world
The ultrasonic distance sensor and the Serial Monitor. Project: a distance meter that reads out in centimetres.
04
Making things move
Servo motors, then DC motors through an L293D motor driver, with speed control using PWM.
05
The robot's brain
Combining sensors and motors. Writing functions for forward, stop and turn. Project: obstacle detection logic.
06
Build, test and make it yours
Assemble the complete obstacle-avoiding robot, debug it, and add one feature of your choice, such as lights or a buzzer. You keep all your code.
What you need
- A laptop or desktop with a browser.
- A free Tinkercad account.
- A stable internet connection.
- Kit optional — if you already have an Arduino kit, bring it along.
Who teaches
Taught by the same two engineers behind every other subject on this site. Full credentials, including published research, are on our About page.
Ghous Ali
MSc Electronics & Electrical Engineering (Distinction), University of Chester
BSc Electrical Engineering (4 years), Institute of Space Technology (IST)
Visiting Lecturer, UK university
Muhammad Hamza Usman
MSc Robotics with Artificial Intelligence (Distinction), London Metropolitan University
BSc Electrical Engineering (4 years), UET Taxila
Lead Engineer (part time, remote) at a London-based startup
Price
Six weekly one-hour sessions
No kit needed. Hardware optional if you have one.
Safeguarding
This course is taught one-to-one to students under 18. Our full safeguarding policy, including parental consent and contact arrangements, is set out on our policies page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy any kit before the course starts?
No. The whole course runs in Tinkercad Circuits, a free simulator that works in a web browser. If you'd like real hardware later, we'll recommend what to buy. We never sell kits.
What if I have no experience with electronics or code at all?
The course is designed for complete beginners. Week 1 starts from what a circuit is, and because every session is one-to-one, the pace follows your child.
What happens if I already own an Arduino kit?
We use it. Each week's circuit is built in simulation first, then on your hardware. Tell us which kit you have on the consultation call and we'll check what it includes.
What will my child have built by the end of the six weeks?
A complete obstacle-avoiding robot: an ultrasonic sensor, a motor driver, two motors and the code that controls them, working in simulation. With suitable hardware at home, they can build it physically too. They keep all their code.
What happens if a session is missed?
We ask for at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice are charged in full. If we cancel a session for any reason, it is rescheduled at no cost, or refunded in full if a suitable time cannot be found. Unused sessions in a block are refunded on request, less any sessions already delivered at the single session rate.
Ready to book?
No charge for the first call.