ARDUINO AND INTERNET OF THINGS APPLIED IN EDUCATION AND SOCIAL INCLUSION

Abstract

This study analyzes the application of Arduino and the Internet of Things (IoT) in education, teaching, and social inclusion. The research began with practical activities carried out in an undergraduate course called Introduction to Embedded Computing, which involved hands-on assembly and prototyping with the Arduino platform. The positive results of these initiatives motivated the expansion into extracurricular activities, such as workshops, workshops, and mini-courses, organized as part of the institution's National Science and Technology Week. The positive impact of these initiatives generated significant developments, such as the creation of research projects, the publication of scientific articles, and university outreach initiatives. Over time, the need arose to expand the scope of these initiatives beyond the Computer Science course, reaching other areas of the academic community and promoting the teaching of emerging technologies, especially the Internet of Things (IoT). Notable among these initiatives are projects supported by scholarships for undergraduate students, focused on the development of prototypes for educational and social purposes. These projects will be discussed in detail throughout the work, including the results obtained and the impacts generated. The practices developed throughout the process serve as the basis for this study, which seeks to systematize and reflect on the contributions of Arduino and IoT in building a more practical, accessible, and innovative education. Furthermore, the potential of these technologies as tools for educational and social inclusion for the academic community and vulnerable social groups is highlighted.