Exploring the Moon and cultivating Earth - STEM projects that inspire, featuring Roland Schulz

Ever wondered what it’s really like for astronauts on the Moon? Or how they collect samples from its rugged surface? In this blog post, Alvik Star Roland Schulz shows you don’t need to blast into orbit to explore the cosmos and learn about space science!

Roland started programming 10 years ago and is now a Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science teacher based in northeast Germany. Over the past six years, he’s been working tirelessly to transform his school’s approach to STEM education.

By incorporating tools such as the Arduino Science Kit R3 and the Physics Lab, he aims to bring scientific concepts to life and make lessons more engaging for his students. And now his latest innovation – the Arduino Alvik moon rover – is taking this mission to new heights.

Move over Perseverance - Alvik is the new rover in town!

Determined to ignite his students’ passion for space exploration, Roland had a brilliant idea: to transform the Alvik robot into a Moon Rover! This innovative and hands-on project is designed to simulate the experience of controlling iconic NASA rovers like Perseverance from the comfort of the classroom.

At the heart of this space-themed mission is a web-based control panel, built on an ESP32 web server. Accessible via mobile devices or computers, the panel allows students to send movement commands to Alvik. Behind the scenes, a Python script drives the robot’s motors, manages the web server and controls the necessary HTML elements such as buttons.

In the first phase of the project, Roland will guide students as they learn how to control Alvik through the web interface. They’ll encounter real-world challenges like communication delays, while developing an appreciation of the precision needed to operate a rover remotely – skills that mirror those used by NASA engineers on actual missions.

But that’s just the beginning. Roland plans to expand Alvik’s capabilities with exciting features like live video feeds and a LEGO®-compatible gripper. These upgrades will allow students to explore simulated lunar surfaces and even practice collecting “samples,” creating a true-to-life exploration experience inspired by NASA’s groundbreaking work.

We can’t wait to see Roland’s project develop over the coming months. So watch this space – Alvik’s mission is only just beginning!

Back to Earth: the smart greenhouse

While Alvik takes students to the Moon, another of Roland’s projects demonstrates how technology can improve life here on Earth. Using various Arduino components, Roland built a smart greenhouse to automate plant care, teaching students how to apply IoT solutions in everyday life.

At the heart of the system is an Arduino Nano RP2040 microcontroller, which is connected to sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, and soil moisture. These sensors ensure optimal conditions by automatically activating a heater or water pump when needed.

The entire setup is remotely controlled via the Arduino IoT Cloud, providing a modern and efficient way to grow plants. Even the greenhouse itself was crafted sustainably using recycled furniture and glass. Inside, Roland and his students grew tomatoes, zucchini, kohlrabi and herbs, which were later transplanted into the garden to produce yields.

This IoT solution provided an automated and efficient way to care for the plants, ensuring optimal growing conditions with minimal manual intervention.

For more information on Roland’s innovative Arduino-based projects, follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Launch your own STEM adventure today!

From Moon rovers to smart greenhouses, Roland proves that STEM education can be as exciting as it is meaningful. His projects spark curiosity, encourage innovation and show students that they have the power to change the world – whether they’re exploring space or nurturing the Earth.

Feeling inspired? Visit the Arduino Alvik store page to kickstart your journey into programming and robotics today!