01Interactive workshop
Inside a smartphone
A pocket-sized meeting of light, energy and computing.
✳FOR THE ALWAYS-CURIOUS
Everyday things.
Extraordinary
Go beneath the surface of the technology around you. Take it apart. See how it works. Discover the people who made it possible.
No account neededYour curiosity. Your pace.
FIG. 01 / THE SMARTPHONE
Source-linked learningMade for low-data learningYour discoveries stay yours
FIND YOUR NEXT “HOW?”
Small parts. Big discoveries.
Start with a whole device, or follow one idea deeper.
Everyday tech · 7
By Dialearn team
02
Systems anatomy
Systems anatomyMechanical wristwatch
Follow stored spring energy through the gears to the hands.
28
Systems anatomy
Systems anatomyWireless earbuds
Follow radio data through audio processing to a miniature sound driver.
31
Systems anatomy
Systems anatomySmart watch
Explore a wrist computer with optical sensing and haptic feedback.
34
Systems anatomy
Systems anatomyDigital SLR camera
Follow the optical viewfinder path and the separate exposure path.
37
Systems anatomy
Systems anatomyElectric toothbrush
Follow electrical drive into a rapidly moving brush head.
50
Systems anatomy
Systems anatomyOver-ear headphones
Explore the headband, padded earcups and the tiny drivers that turn signals into sound.
LEARN IT. BUILD IT.
Your next small invention.
Explore the parts, trace the circuit, then try a guided build. No kit needed to start.
ARDUINOEXPLORE + BUILD
DIY Arduino rover
By Dialearn teamBuild a small rover and turn code into movement, one subsystem at a time.
You’ll need: Arduino UNO, motor driver, two motors and wheels, chassis, AA batteries and jumpers.
RASPBERRY PIEXPLORE + BUILD
DIY Raspberry Pi station
By Dialearn teamMake a local weather logger with a small computer and an environmental sensor.
You’ll need: Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, BME280 sensor, microSD card, power supply and four jumpers.
ARDUINOEXPLORE + BUILD
Arduino breadboard light
By Dialearn teamTrace a simple circuit through an Arduino, resistor and LED.
You’ll need: Arduino UNO, breadboard, LED, 220 Ω resistor, jumpers and USB cable.
ARDUINOEXPLORE + BUILD
Arduino reaction timer
By Dialearn teamBuild a breadboard game with a light, a button and a timer.
You’ll need: Arduino UNO, breadboard, pushbutton, LED, 220 Ω resistor and jumpers.
ARDUINOEXPLORE + BUILD
Arduino plant waterer
By Dialearn teamFollow the feedback loop from a soil sensor to a small water pump.
You’ll need: Arduino UNO, soil sensor, pump, driver, diode, tubing and a separate pump supply.
A GOOD QUESTION IS A GREAT BEGINNING.
“How does that actually work?”
Keep asking. Everything around you has a story waiting to be discovered.
Save for offline
Save the learning site on this device. External source links still need internet.