Gearbox Labs has worked with all of the devices on this page. Many appear in one or more of our publications.

Links to videos, more information and ordering the devices on our store are included. After each sensor listing are some ideas that would be great science or engineering fair ideas.

These devices can be used to store and report data.

Microcontrollers

  • Uno - This is the original microcontroller. Perfect for starting out with just enough connections to do most starter projects. Add a shield for easier builds. Store Link - Uno Only | Store Link Uno with IO Shield | Store Link Add-on Prototyping Shield
    DFRDUINO
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  • ESP32 WROOM 32D Dev Kit C An Arduino compatible microcontroller with Bluetooth (both BLE and Standard) and Wi-Fi. This includes a breadboard-friendly feather board to make prototyping fast and easier. 4 megabytes of onboard storage make this microcontroller even more powerful. This is the microcontroller of choice for our IoT and STEM Data curricula. Store Link
    ESP32
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  • ESP32 32E - Firebeetle The next generation of ESP32 from DFRobot. Features pin headers for fast connections without a breadboard. Store Link
  • Leonardo - A faster microcontroller than the Uno with more connection pins. Includes the Xbee socket for IoT upgrades. Store Link
  • Mega - Do you need an Uno friendly board but with more pins than we can count (just kidding). The Mega is a familiar board with Uno capabilities and form factor but with a ton of digital and analog pins. Store Link
  • ESP32 LoRa - this is a microcontroller with Bluetooth (Both kinds), Wi-Fi and a LoRa radio. LoRa is a lower data rate radio that can connect at distanced up to 50 km. It can be programmed just like the Uno but has these connectivity capabilities built in. 

Bluetooth

  • HC05 - this is a Bluetooth Module used in conjunction with the Uno. A very inexpensive way to add Bluetooth capability to a project. Store Link
  • ESP32 - this is a microcontroller with Bluetooth (Both kinds) and Wi-Fi. It can be programmed just like the Uno but has these connectivity capabilities built in. ESP32 WROOM 32D Store Link | ESP 32 32E Store Link

Wi-Fi

LoRa (Long Range)

  • ESP32 LoRa - this is a microcontroller with Bluetooth (Both kinds), Wi-Fi and a LoRa radio. LoRa is a lower data rate radio that can connect at distanced up to 50 km. It can be programmed just like the Uno but has these connectivity capabilities built in. 

Camera

  • Husky Lens AI Camera System - A great camera system friendly to a variety of machine learning codes. Store Link

Displays

  • Liquid Crytal Display (LCD) - Usually a single-color best to display text and data. Easy to control. The standard LCD has 16 characters in 2 rows on the screen. Store Link
  • Thin Film Transistor (TFT) - These are small cell phone screens that can display thousands of colors. Really best for displaying complex data and for graphing data in real-time. View Video | Store Link 
  • RGB Matrix-Displays letters, numbers, emojis, many different colors. Can be chained together to make longer or wider displays. Store Link
  • 7219 Matrix-displays data and letters using chained together 8x8 LED matrices. Store Link
  • Seven Segment Display- Display numbers by segments. 4-digit seven segment displays are great for clocks, timers, and simple number or letter displays. Store Link
  • 8x8 LED Matrix - A small display with 64 single color LEDs for making simple signs. Store Link Red | Store Link Blue | Store Link Orange | Store Link Yellow/Green

Storage

  • SD Card Reader - The card reader can be added to just about any project to store data. Store Link

Breadboards

  • 830 Point (Large) - Manage large project wiring with the large breadboard. Share power and move data easily. Snap apart as needed and use the double-sided tape to affix the breadboard to a surface. Store Link
  • 400 Point (Small) - Manage the typical project wiring with the small breadboard. Share power and move data easily. Snap apart as needed and use the double-sided tape to affix the breadboard to a surface. Store Link
  • 170 Point (Mini) - When space is at a premium or the connection wires fairly few use the mini breadboard. Share power and move data easily. Snap apart as needed and use the double-sided tape to affix the breadboard to a surface. Store Link

Power

  • 9v Battery Barrel Connector - Make your Uno projects portable with this handy connector. Store Link

Connectors

  • 3-Wire Block - Make the connection between a sensor and the breadboard that much easier with a block to connect the sensor wires to and then on to the breadboard. Store Link
  • Male - Female Jumper Wires - These come in various lengths generally in ribbons with one end having a pin and the other having a receptacle. Often called Dupont wires. Store Link
  • Male - Male Jumper Wires - These come in various lengths generally in ribbons with one end having pins on both ends. Often called Dupont wires. Store Link
  • Pre-formed Jumpers - Often called flat jumper wires. Store Link

Location

  • Global Positioning System (GPS) - adding GPS to a project is pretty straightforward and allow the project to collect time and location data quickly using GPS. Store Link
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    Sounds

    • Buzzer- Sounding device that can convert audio signals into sound signals. It is usually powered by DC voltage. Passive buzzers are the best for making complex and varying tones. Store Link
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    Voice Recording

    • I2C Voice Recording Module - a simple device for recording voice and playback. Store Link

    Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

    • Single Colors - The lens can be colored, or the diode can make the color. Store Link Mix Pack | Store Link Bulk Single Colors
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    • RGB LEDs- These LEDs have three color making diodes inside the lens that when controlled properly can make over 16 million colors. These come in two polarities, anode and cathode. Store Link

    Controls

    • 2N2222 Transistor- Used for general purpose low-power amplifying or switching applications. Often used with a motor or fan Store Link
    • DRV8833 Driver- Bidirectional control of DC motors. This provides greater control of the DC motor for wheels and gears. Store Link

    Switches and Pushbuttons

    • Pushbuttons - These come in a variety of shapes, sizes and actions. Store Link
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    Keypads

    • Keypad - The standard keypad has 16 buttons to press that include the ten single digit numbers, letters A, B, C, and D with the "#" and "*" characters. Great for controlling access to open or close servos. Store Link
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    Interface Devices

    • Fingerprint Sensor - Just as the name indicates, this sensor can capture a fingerprint and with a bit of processing against stored known fingerprints confirm the identity of a person. Store Link

    Disclaimer. The sensors are meant to be used for prototyping, informational, and demonstration purposes only. The sensors are not meant to be used as replacements for certified professional sensors that have been independently tested and certified for use in health and safety applications.