Integrating microcontrollers and data analysis in mechanics education: a STEM approach to free fall. SANTOS, Jéssica Fabiana Mariano dos; NUNES, Luiz Antônio de Oliveira.
Abstract: This article presents a STEM-based approach to teaching free fall by integrating Arduino, PLX-DAQ, and Excel. PLX-DAQ, originally an Excel add-in for serial communication with Arduino, was modified in this work, and these changes were important to enable full bidirectional communication. Through a custom-developed graphical interface in Excel, parameters can be sent to the Arduino, allowing experiment configurations to be adjusted in real time while also enabling efficient data acquisition and analysis. A photogate system was connected to an Arduino Uno, enabling precise measurement of the fall times of an acrylic bar of alternating stripes of different masses. The results show that the system enables highly accurate calculations of gravitational acceleration, with deviations of less than 2% from the expected values. This experimental setup offers educators a low-cost and effective tool to address common student misconceptions about free fall, while fostering a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles governing motion and reinforcing the role of the scientific method in physics education.
IEEE Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnologias del Aprendizaje-IEEE RITA
v. 21, n. 13, p. 101-107 - Ano: 2026
Fator de Impacto: 1,0
@article={003293326,author = {SANTOS, Jéssica Fabiana Mariano dos; NUNES, Luiz Antônio de Oliveira.},title={Integrating microcontrollers and data analysis in mechanics education: a STEM approach to free fall},journal={IEEE Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnologias del Aprendizaje-IEEE RITA},note={v. 21, n. 13, p. 101-107},year={2026}}
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Abstract: This article presents a STEM-based approach to teaching free fall by integrating Arduino, PLX-DAQ, and Excel. PLX-DAQ, originally an Excel add-in for serial communication with Arduino, was modified in this work, and these changes were important to enable full bidirectional communication. Through a custom-developed graphical interface in Excel, parameters can be sent to the Arduino, allowing experiment configurations to be adjusted in real time while also enabling efficient data acquisition and analysis. A photogate system was connected to an Arduino Uno, enabling precise measurement of the fall times of an acrylic bar of alternating stripes of different masses. The results show that the system enables highly accurate calculations of gravitational acceleration, with deviations of less than 2% from the expected values. This experimental setup offers educators a low-cost and effective tool to address common student misconceptions about free fall, while fostering a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles governing motion and reinforcing the role of the scientific method in physics education.
@article={003293326,author = {SANTOS, Jéssica Fabiana Mariano dos; NUNES, Luiz Antônio de Oliveira.},title={Integrating microcontrollers and data analysis in mechanics education: a STEM approach to free fall},journal={IEEE Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnologias del Aprendizaje-IEEE RITA},note={v. 21, n. 13, p. 101-107},year={2026}}