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TOWER Mini Course

This course was created by HARDWARIO a.s. together with the Technical University of Liberec, with grant support from the Liberec Region. Its aim is to give students and teachers a practical tool for exploring the Internet of Things (IoT) with the HARDWARIO TOWER electronic kit.

The course takes participants from connecting their very first module to building their own IoT applications.

What to expect​

Over five lessons, you will combine theory, practical demonstrations and your own experiments:

  • Getting started with TOWER: installing the environment, uploading firmware, connecting a sensor.
  • Measuring and visualizing data: working with temperature, humidity, light and other sensors.
  • Conditional reactions: logic nodes, responding to inputs, automation.
  • Controlling outputs: LED strips, color effects and interactive elements.
  • Wrap-up and theory: how Node-RED and MQTT work, and a final project that ties it all together.

What you need​

  • A computer with Windows 10 or newer, macOS 15 or newer or a Linux desktop (Ubuntu 24.04 / Fedora 42 or newer is supported), one free USB port and permission to install software and USB drivers.
  • HARDWARIO Playground: a free download; Lesson 1 walks you through the installation.
  • The HARDWARIO TOWER hardware used in the lessons: Radio Dongle, Core Module, Battery Module, Mini Battery Module, PIR Module, Climate Module, Button Module, LCD Module, Power Module, Cover Module, a USB cable, an LED strip, a DC adapter and the 3D-printed enclosures, plus six AAA batteries (four for the Battery Module, two for the Mini Battery Module).
  • Internet access for the downloads. No accounts or cloud services are needed.

Course benefits​

  • Practical STEM education that combines electronics, programming and digital skills.
  • Developing critical and logical thinking, teamwork and creativity.
  • Ready-made teaching materials and guides that make it easy for teachers to bring IoT into their lessons.
  • Inspiration for students to pursue technical careers and get involved in the region's innovation ecosystem.

Who the course is for​

  • High school and university students who want to explore modern technology.
  • Teachers and educators looking for practical materials for lessons in digital technology, computer science or physics.
  • IoT and smart-technology enthusiasts who want hands-on experience.

About the project​

The project ran in the 2024/2025 academic year with support from the Regional Innovation Program of the Liberec Region. The result is a complete IoT teaching methodology, available online and open to further development.

Co-funded by the Liberec Region​

Liberecký kraj