Now that we have learned everything you absolutely need to know, the fun begins! This will be your first soldering lab.
For this lab, you will need to pick a through-hole project.
1. Contact your instructor to acquire either a "Universal Learn to Solder Kit" or some components and a board so that you may practice through-hole soldering. You should also be shown the solder equipment and tools. If you are not sure not to use them, it is your responsibility to ask. If you receive the universal kit, open just the plastic portion called "Standard Practice Components".
2. Remember everything you have learned so far: safety requirements/rules, techniques for soldering, and that you tin the tip before you solder and again before you leave. Turn the solder station off before you leave the room.
3. When you have completed the practice portion and are confident that you can move on, show the instructor your work. Together you will decide if you are ready to solder your through-hole project. If you want more practice, solder the through-hole portion of the "Insanity Alarm" on the Universal board.
4. When you are ready to solder, your instructor will give you either a "Brain Game" kit or a through-hole solder kit. There are several to choose from.
5. Read the instructions carefully before you begin if you want your project to work. Proceed carefully and ask your instructor if you have any questions.
6. You are finished with your project when it works. Some of the projects run on a single 9 V battery, and others take 3 AA batteries. You may get these from your instructor to test the project, but you need to supply your own batteries to run it. Note: For the "Brain Game", the lead where you attach either the positive or the negative wire of the battery pack to the circuit board may require a jumper wire.
7. If your project does not work, you will need to troubleshoot it. See Module 6 for troubleshooting tips. You probably want your instructor's help with troubleshooting.
When you are finished with the project, take a 30-second video of your project working. If the project is supposed to make noise, include sound. Then, upload your video. You will be graded according to the rubric below.
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