Description
The Railroad Gate Lever is a hands-on mechatronics kit designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of mechanical motion, motor control, and automation. Using a system of interlocking structural components, gears, and a motor, students build a functional gate mechanism that physically raises and lowers—mirroring real-world automated infrastructure.
Powered and controlled by the C2G Mini Microcontroller, the Railroad Gate Lever goes beyond simple mechanical assembly. Students program the motor to control direction, speed, and timing, gaining practical experience with how electronic systems interact with mechanical designs. This makes the kit an ideal bridge between foundational engineering concepts and introductory robotics.
The project scales naturally across grade levels. Younger students focus on understanding basic motion, cause-and-effect, and sequencing, while older students explore programming logic, automation concepts, and system optimization. Through building, testing, and iterating, learners develop problem-solving skills and a concrete understanding of how machines are designed to perform repeatable tasks.
The Railroad Gate Lever is well-suited for classrooms, clubs, and labs seeking an engaging introduction to mechatronics—combining physical construction, powered movement, and programmable control in a single, approachable project.
