Tag: Academia – Python Prog

Week 1 – DRE2213 / BTE1522 – Class On Boarding and Step 1

Onboarding, Pre Survey, Basic Concepts in Python Programming. Game Canvas, Snake Creation.

Have a shot – Play With It

This week, we started building the foundation for our programming journey. Before we can create a complete game or work with sensors, we first need to understand how to communicate with a computer through code.

Setting Up: Thonny and Our First Game Window

We began by setting up Thonny as our Python programming environment and getting our first game window running.

Along the way, we explored an important concept for game development: coordinates and pixels.

A screen can be thought of as a coordinate system where the position of an object is represented using values such as X and Y. Understanding coordinates will become increasingly important as we start moving our game objects in the coming weeks.

We also had our first look at colour representation using RGB values, which allows us to define colours digitally.

Step 1: Building Through a Tiered Activity

After completing Step 1, we moved into our first hands-on activity using the Fill-in → Debug → Extend → Create progression:

      1. Fill-in – Complete the missing parts of the code.
      2. Debug – Find and correct errors in the program.
      3. Extend – Modify the existing program to add or change something.
      4. Create – Use what you have learned to create your own solution.

Alongside these activities, we also included:

      1. Concept – What Python concept are you learning?
      2. Reflect – What did you discover, and what did you find challenging?

The idea is simple: don’t just make the code run—understand what you are doing.

Programming Is Like Talking to a Computer

Learning programming is, in many ways, like learning how to communicate or give instructions to a computer.

Computers are very precise. They follow the instructions we provide, but they do not automatically understand what we meant.

This week, you may have already noticed some important characteristics of Python:

      1. Python is case-sensitive.
      2. Spaces and indentation matter.
      3. Small typing differences can change the meaning of a program.
      4. The computer executes the instructions according to the code we provide.

These may seem like small details, but they form the basic “language rules” we need to follow when communicating with a computer.

A First Look at the Command Line

You may also have noticed that we started using CMD / Command Prompt when installing Python libraries.

This is another important skill.

Programming is not only about writing code inside Thonny. As we progress, you will encounter different tools and environments for installing libraries, running programs, and interacting with your development environment.

So, don’t be afraid of the command line! ????

What’s Next?

For next week, we will continue our journey with Step 2 and Step 3 of the game development.

We will gradually introduce more programming concepts while continuing to build our game.

Remember:

Don’t rush to finish the game. Focus on understanding the code as you build it.

Important: Activity 1 Submission

Please make sure you submit Activity 1 through the web platform.

I will be referring to your Activity 1 submission for class attendance, so please make sure it is completed and submitted.

See you in Week 2!

Keep coding, keep debugging, and keep asking: “Why does this code work?”

DRE2213

BTE1522

Welcome on Board BTE1522 and DRE2213

Hi everyone,

A warm welcome to all BTE1522 – Innovation and DRE2213 – Programming and Data Structure students!

This semester, we are bringing a refreshed approach to learning programming. Both courses are designed to build your competencies in Python programming, innovation, and data structures—but instead of learning programming only through examples and exercises, we will be building, experimenting, troubleshooting, and making things work.

 

Phase 1: Learn Python by Building a Snake Game

We will begin with something familiar and fun: a Snake game.

As you build the game step by step, you will encounter and apply Python concepts such as:

      1. Variables and data types
      2. Lists and data structures
      3. Functions
      4. Loops
      5. Conditional statements
      6. Boolean logic
      7. Input and event handling
      8. Mathematical operations
      9. Game states and logic

The game is not simply the end product. The code is the learning environment.

When something does not work, you will troubleshoot it. When the snake behaves unexpectedly, you will investigate why. When you modify the game, you will need to understand what the existing code is doing.

That is where programming starts to make sense.

Phase 2: From Digital to Physical – Meet LilEx

Once we have built our programming foundation, we will move from the digital world into physical computing.

I am excited to introduce LilEx – the sensor node to the class.

Here, you will begin working with real sensors and real data.

You will learn how to:

SENSE → STORE → VISUALISE

You will read data from sensors, process and structure the data, store it in a database, and eventually present it through a dashboard.

This is where Python moves beyond the screen.

Your program will no longer simply move a character on a game window. Your code will interact with the physical world.

And What About AI?

Yes, you could ask AI to generate the Snake game.

You could also ask AI to generate the sensor code, database, and dashboard.

But that is not the main purpose of this semester.

For this phase of your learning, we will intentionally focus on developing the fundamental competencies step by step, without AI assistance during class activities.

Why?

Because I want you to experience the process of thinking through the code.

When you eventually use AI for a larger project, you should be able to look at the generated code and ask:

What does this code actually do?
Why does it work?
Is this the right solution?
How can I modify it?

That is very different from simply copying and running AI-generated code.

Code with AI, not code by AI.

AI can become a powerful learning and development partner—but first, we need to build the foundation that allows us to work with AI intelligently.

So, Welcome Aboard!

This semester will be about more than learning Python syntax.

It will be about building competency through making:

Learn → Build → Break → Troubleshoot → Understand → Improve → Create

From a Snake game to LilEx sensor-based systems, we will gradually move from digital programming to physical computing, data structures, IoT, and dashboards.

I am excited to have both BTE1522 and DRE2213 on board this semester.

Let’s learn, build, experiment—and see where your ideas take us.

Welcome to the class!

Raspberry Pi Programming 2026/1 – Mentor Training

*UMPSA STEM Lab Raspberry Pi Programming Synopsis can be found here.

In the Raspberry Pi IoT session, 24 UMPSA mentors were introduced to the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) using Raspberry Pi on the UMP STEM Cube, a pico-satellite learning kit specifically designed to facilitate engineering learning.

The content covered basic digital input/output operations on onboard LEDs, as well as topics such as dashboard design using gyro meter and BMU280 sensor data, including collecting and storing data in a cloud database. Participants learned to interface sensors with Raspberry Pi boards and develop IoT applications for real-world scenarios. The session provided students with valuable insights into IoT technology and its applications in various domains.

A special appreciation is extended to En Mohd Jamil Jaafar for coordination in facilitating communication between the participants and the UMPSA STEM Lab :).

 

IMG_4939

Learning from Practice – Reflections on a Sharing Session with Prof Hilman

I recently attended a sharing session by Prof Hilman on research and teaching technology in Electronic Engineering, and it left a strong impression, particularly in terms of how much care and thought he puts into his teaching.

What stood out most was Prof Hilman’s creativity and long-term commitment to his classroom. Over the years, he has developed a series of learning kits that are used across different levels of the programme, from first year right up to final year. These kits are not one-size-fits-all; instead, they are modular, covering topics ranging from analog electronics and RF to sensor design. You can clearly see that they were built with progression in mind, allowing students to grow into the complexity of the subject rather than being overwhelmed by it.

Having developed teaching kits myself, mainly for mini robotics, embedded systems, and IoT, I found myself very much on the same page. Designing kits for teaching is rewarding, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to deciding how much to give students and how much to leave for them to figure out on their own.

When I talk about “giving everything,” I’m referring to situations where kits / modules that are highly prepared: dedicated PCBs, predefined functional blocks, and ready-to-use modules. This certainly helps students get started more quickly and reduces frustration. At the same time, we sometimes forget that designing those things, like laying out a PCB or deciding how a circuit or functions (in software programming) should be structured, is also an important part of learning.

On the other end of the spectrum is giving students only the bare minimum and expecting them to build everything from scratch. While this can be very powerful for learning, it is not always easy to manage in a real classroom. Students learn at different speeds, and ensuring that everyone can keep up within a fixed semester timeline can be quite challenging.

This is something I’ve often thought about through the lens of the white‑box versus black‑box approach, which I also discussed in my earlier works on tiered scaffolding approaches in Python Slider Game and the STEMCube platform. Both approaches have their place, and the real question is how to strike the right balance.

During the session, I raised this question with Prof Hilman, and we had a good discussion around it. What I found particularly insightful was his view that modularity helps bridge the gap between these two extremes. By designing kits in modules, we can decide which parts are “given” and which parts students are encouraged to develop themselves. As students progress, more of the system can be opened up to them. This makes the learning process more flexible and helps accommodate different learning paces within the same class.

We also touched briefly on the role of AI in analog design, especially during the early design and optimisation stages. While still an evolving area, it sparked an interesting discussion about how such tools might eventually support both teaching and research in electronics engineering.

Overall, the session was a good reminder that effective teaching innovation doesn’t come from choosing one extreme over another, but from carefully designing learning experiences that evolve with students. Prof Hilman’s modular approach is a practical example of how this balance can be achieved, and it’s certainly something I will continue to reflect on in my own teaching practice.

Nurul – March 9th

BTE1522 DRE 2213 – Project Submission

Well done everyone!

Students from BTE 1522 and DRE2213 presented their final projects, and the outcomes were impressive =).

What began at the start of the course as an introduction to beginner Python programming through a simple Pygame slider game (Pygame assignments) has now evolved into fully functional sensor-based systems using Raspberry Pi and the BME280 environmental sensor.

This transition from a purely digital game environment to a real-world, physically embedded system, was intentional =).

By first grounding students in Python fundamentals (variables, loops, conditionals, event handling, and logic flow) through game development, students were able to focus later on how their code interacts with the physical world.

BTE1522 – IMU Data Collection

Learning Python Through Motion, Data, and Innovation: BTE1522 Project Showcase

Students from BTE1522 – Innovation (Python) recently presented their final projects, and the results clearly demonstrated how hands-on, sensor-driven learning can elevate Python programming skills.

In this course, students worked with the MPU6050 motion sensor on the LilEx 5 platform, moving beyond basic scripting to build end-to-end data-driven systems involving sensing, storage, and visualization.

Project Focus

Each student group was tasked to:

      1. Read motion data from the MPU6050 using Python

      2. Design and conduct structured data collection for different human movements

      3. Store the data in a database of their choice

      4. Build a dashboard to visualize and interpret the collected data

This workflow mirrors real-world IoT and data engineering pipelines.

Movement-Based Data Collection

Students collected sensor data based on well-defined criteria, including:

      1. Standing

      2. Leaning left and right (roll)

      3. Bending forward and backward (pitch)

      4. Lying down

They carefully controlled parameters such as:

      1. Sampling rate

      2. Timeframe per movement

      3. Sensor placement

      4. Calibration procedures

This encouraged students to think critically about data quality, consistency, and repeatability, not just code correctness.

From Raw Sensor Data to Insight

Using Python, students transformed raw accelerometer and gyroscope readings into structured datasets. They then explored different tools and platforms to:

      1. Build databases

      2. Create dashboards for visualization and interpretation

Through this process, students learned that innovation is not only about building something new, but also about making data understandable and useful.

Physical Embodiment as a Learning Strategy

Similar to DRE2213, this course emphasized learning through physical embodiment. Students could directly observe how body movement affected sensor readings, reinforcing their understanding of:

        1. Coordinate axes

        2. Sensor fusion concepts

        3. Time-series data behavior

By linking physical motion to Python code and visual dashboards, abstract programming concepts became concrete and intuitive.

Overall, student performance was very satisfying. Good job everyone.

The projects demonstrated strong engagement, creativity, and a growing confidence in Python programming.

The project videos embedded below highlight how students applied Python not just as a programming language, but as a tool for sensing, data analysis, and innovation.

DRE2213 – BM280 Data Monitoring – SULAM

Project Highlights

In their final projects, DRE2213 students successfully demonstrated:

  1. Closed-loop sensing systems
    Integrating the BME280 sensor with Raspberry Pi using Python, where sensor readings triggered real-time responses such as LEDs and buzzers.

  2. Data logging and storage
    Students independently explored multiple database solutions:

      • Firebase

      • Google Sheets / Spreadsheet-based logging
        This showed strong initiative and adaptability beyond what was explicitly taught.

  3. Dashboard development and visualization
    A wide range of dashboard approaches were implemented, including:

      • HTML-based dashboards

      • Adafruit IO

      • Flask web applications

      • Streamlit dashboards

Each solution reflected different design choices, yet all achieved the same goal: making sensor data meaningful, visible, and interactive.

https://youtube.com/shorts/KYIy1CRj6Nk?si=2cHH3TGO1eFjDp9y

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KYIy1CRj6Nk

https://youtube.com/shorts/KYIy1CRj6Nk?si=2cHH3TGO1eFjDp9y

 

 

Learning Through Physical Embodiment

What stood out most was how BTE1522 and DRE2213 students connected abstract Python code to tangible outcomes. Seeing a buzzer activate, an LED respond, or a dashboard update in real time helped students understand what their code is doing, not just whether it runs.

This combination of:

      1. Digital embodiment (game-based learning with Pygame), and

      2. Physical embodiment (real sensors, real data, real feedback)

proved to be a powerful approach in helping students grasp programming concepts more deeply and confidently.

Reflection

The quality of the projects and the variety of technical approaches exceeded expectations. Students demonstrated not only programming skills, but also problem-solving, system integration, and creativity.

The embedded project videos below showcase their work and reflect a learning journey that truly bridges Python programming and real-world applications.

 

Nurul Hazlina – Feb 4th

Python Programming for Beginners – BHE 2526 Sem I

Explore Programming with the Slider Game

  1. Learn basic Python via Slider game
  2. Installation of Computer visual code (cvs) for advance application in image and data processing

Today students from BHE 25/26 I participated in a hands-on programming training session designed to make learning Python both engaging and intuitive. The session ran from 8:30 AM to 12:45 PM and combined game-based learning with practical tool setup for future advanced applications.

The training introduced students to core programming concepts through an interactive Slider Game, followed by the installation of Visual Studio Code (VS Code) to prepare them for more advanced work in image and data processing.

Session 1: Learning Python Basics Through the Slider Game

Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Instead of starting with abstract syntax and long code examples, students learned Python fundamentals by building and modifying a simple Slider Game. This approach allowed concepts to emerge naturally through interaction and experimentation.

Through guided activities, students progressively explored:

      1. Variables – storing and updating player positions, scores, and timers

      2. Mathematical operations – controlling movement speed, scoring, and boundaries

      3. Control structures (loops & conditionals) – managing enemy movement, collisions, and game flow

      4. Event handling – responding to keyboard inputs for real-time player control

      5. Data structures – using lists to manage multiple enemies and game objects

      6. Functions – organizing code for clarity and reusability

      7. Debugging and logical thinking – testing, observing outcomes, and refining logic

By the end of the session, students were not just reading code—they were seeing their code come alive on the screen.

Learning by Seeing and Doing: Digital & Physical Embodiment

A key strength of the Slider Game approach is embodied learning. As students interacted with the game—moving the player, triggering collisions, or adjusting timing—they could immediately visualize the effect of each programming concept.

This form of digital embodiment supports deeper understanding:

      1. Students test hypotheses by changing values and logic

      2. Immediate visual feedback reinforces correct reasoning

      3. Errors become learning opportunities rather than frustrations

By observing how their code directly influences game behavior, students developed stronger intuition about how programming logic works in real systems.

Session 2: Preparing for Advanced Applications

Time: 12:30 PM – 12:45 PM

In the final segment, students were guided through the installation and setup of Visual Studio Code (VS Code)—a widely used development environment for professional and academic programming. This is as part of their preparation for their upcoming flying professor’s class in March 2026.

This step prepares students for:

      1. Advanced Python development

      2. Image processing and computer vision

      3. Data analysis and visualization

      4. Future projects involving AI and intelligent systems

Introducing VS Code early helps students transition smoothly from learning concepts to building more complex, real-world applications.

 

Looking Ahead

This training demonstrated that game-based and embodied learning can significantly enhance how students grasp programming fundamentals. By combining interaction, visualization, and hands-on practice, students build confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills—key foundations for future work in computing and engineering.

Moving forward, similar sessions will continue to explore how interactive digital environments and intelligent scaffolding can further support meaningful learning in programming education.

Further UMPSA STEM Lab work on Slider Game and Digital Embodiment can be accessed here.

 

DRE2213 – Week 13 Project Demonstration – SULAM

Bringing Python, IoT, and Physical Computing Together =)..

Today’s class marked an important milestone for DRE2213 – Programming and Data Structure, as students presented their final projects developed using Raspberry Pi and Python, with a strong focus on environmental sensing using the BME280 sensor. The SULAM session showcased not only technical competence, but also how far the students have progressed in applying programming concepts to real-world systems – in Perpustakaan UMPSA Pekan Monitoring System.

I am truly impressed by the level of achievement demonstrated by the students. Each group successfully implemented a complete IoT-based system, covering three essential components of modern embedded and data-driven applications.

1. Closed-Loop Sensor Integration

Students demonstrated their ability to build closed-loop systems by interfacing the BME280 temperature, humidity, and pressure sensor with the Raspberry Pi. Based on predefined threshold values, the system was able to trigger actuators such as LEDs and buzzers, reinforcing key concepts in sensor reading, decision-making logic, and control flow in Python.

2. Data Logging and Management

Another highlight was the diversity in data management approaches. Some groups opted for cloud-based databases such as Firebase, while others used Google Sheets or local storage solutions. This exposed students to different data structures, data persistence methods, and practical considerations in handling sensor data over time.

3. Dashboard Development and Visualization

Students also demonstrated creativity and flexibility in building dashboards to visualize sensor data. A wide range of tools were used, including:

  • HTML-based dashboards

  • Adafruit IO

  • Flask web applications

  • Streamlit dashboards

This variety reflects students’ growing confidence in selecting appropriate tools and frameworks to communicate data effectively.

From Games to Physical Systems – A Meaningful Learning Journey

At the beginning of this course, students were introduced to Python programming through a slider game developed using Pygame. This approach allowed them to grasp fundamental programming concepts—such as variables, loops, conditionals, and functions—within a digital and interactive environment.

As the course progressed, students transitioned from digital game development to physical computing projects, applying the same programming principles to real hardware and sensors. This combination of digital embodiment (game development) and physical embodiment (IoT systems) provided a strong foundation for understanding how software interacts with the real world.

Learning programming in an interactive and hands-on manner enables students to truly understand what their code is doing. Instead of writing abstract programs, they can see, hear, and measure the outcomes of their code—whether it is a game reacting to user input or a sensor triggering a buzzer based on environmental conditions.

Closing Reflections

Today’s presentations clearly demonstrated that interactive, project-based learning is an effective way to teach programming and data structures. By engaging with both digital and physical systems, students developed not only technical skills but also problem-solving confidence and design thinking.

Well done to all DRE2213 students on your excellent work. Your projects reflect strong effort, creativity, and meaningful learning. Keep building, keep experimenting, and keep pushing the boundaries of what you can create with Python and Raspberry Pi.

 

 

 

BTE1522 DRE2213 – Week 11 BME280 – Cloud and Local IoT Visualisation

This week, Week 11, we reached an important milestone in the IoT learning journey. Building upon the foundations established in Weeks 9 and 10, this week’s activity focused on visualising sensor data through dashboards, using two different approaches:

      1. A cloud-hosted dashboard using Adafruit IO

      2. A self-hosted dashboard using HTML served directly from the Raspberry Pi Pico W (LilEx3)

By the end of this session, you no longer just reading sensors — but you’ve design a complete IoT data pipelines, from sensing to networking to visualisation.

This week is we transit our attention from collecting data to presenting data.

Using the BME280 environmental sensor, you are able to work with:

        1. Temperature

        2. Humidity

        3. Atmospheric pressure

The same sensor data was then visualised using two different dashboard approaches, highlighting important design choices in IoT systems.

Approach 1: Cloud Dashboard Using Adafruit IO – Refer to Act 7 in TINTA and Google Classsroom 

This method introduces students to cloud-based IoT platforms, a common industry practice.

Key concepts:

        1. WiFi connectivity

        2. MQTT protocol

        3. Publishing data to a third-party server

        4. Remote access and visualisation

Code Explanation (Adafruit IO Method)

from machine import Pin, I2C
import network
import time
from umqtt.simple import MQTTClient
import bme280

      • Imports modules for hardware control, networking, MQTT communication, and the BME280 sensor.

i2c = I2C(1, sda=Pin(2), scl=Pin(3), freq=400000)
bme = bme280.BME280(i2c=i2c)

      • Initializes the I2C bus and the BME280 sensor.

wlan = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
wlan.active(True)
wlan.connect(wifi_ssid, wifi_password)

      • Connects the Pico W to a WiFi network.

mqtt_client = MQTTClient(
client_id=mqtt_client_id,
server=mqtt_host,
user=mqtt_username,
password=mqtt_password)

      • Configures the MQTT client for communication with Adafruit IO.

values = bme.values
temp = values[0]
mqtt_client.publish(temp_feed, temp)

      • Reads sensor values and publishes temperature data to the cloud dashboard.

This approach shows how sensor data can be accessed anywhere in the world, but depends on external services and internet connectivity.

Approach 2: Self-Hosted HTML Dashboard on Pico W

This method shifts learning toward edge computing and embedded web servers.

Key concepts:

        1. HTTP client–server model

        2. Serving HTML from a microcontroller

        3. JSON data exchange

        4. JavaScript-based live updates

        5. Local network dashboards

 

Code Explanation (HTML Dashboard Method)

import socket

      • Enables the Pico W to act as a web server.

html = """<html>...</html>"""

      • Stores the dashboard webpage directly in Python memory.

s = socket.socket()
s.bind(('0.0.0.0', 80))
s.listen(1)

      • Starts an HTTP server on port 80.

if "/data" in request:

      • Distinguishes between:

        • Page requests (/)

        • Data requests (/data)

values = bme.values

      • Reads temperature, humidity, and pressure in real time.

fetch('/data')

      • JavaScript on the webpage periodically requests new sensor data and updates the display without refreshing the page.

This approach emphasizes system integration, where the device itself becomes the dashboard — similar to ground stations and embedded monitoring panels.

Comparing Both Dashboard Approaches

Feature Adafruit IO HTML on Pico W
Hosting Cloud Local (device)
Internet required Yes Local WiFi only
Protocol MQTT HTTP
Complexity Lower Higher
Control Limited Full
Educational value Intro to IoT cloud Full-stack IoT

Both approaches are valuable, and understanding when to use each is an important engineering skill.

Bringing It All Together

By connecting:

    1. Weeks 9 & 10 (MPU6050 motion sensing & data logging)

    2. Week 11 (IoT dashboards and networking)

you are now capable of:

      1. Interfacing multiple sensors

      2. Logging and processing data

      3. Transmitting data over networks

      4. Designing dashboards (cloud and local)

      5. Building complete IoT systems

At this stage, you are no longer following isolated tutorials, but are now ready to design and execute their own IoT projects.