<![CDATA[Microcontroller-based system training requires participants to understand fundamental logic and programming concepts before directly implementing hardware-based applications. This study analyzes the improvement of participants' basic competencies through the initial stage of an ESP32-based Smart Watering System training program designed as a progressive learning sequence from logical concepts to visual programming. The initial training stage was conducted for six days and covered mathematical logic and logic gates, visual programming using Scratch, and mobile application development using MIT App Inventor. Prior to the training, participants completed a 20-item pre-test to measure their initial competence, while a post-test was administered after completing the entire initial training stage. A total of 34 participants were registered at the beginning of the program, of whom 21 completed all training activities and participated in the post-test. The results showed that the participants' mean score increased from 68.33 in the pre-test to 86.67 in the post-test, representing an improvement of 18.33 points. A paired-samples t-test indicated a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores with t(20)=4.36 and p<0.001. Cohen's dz effect size of 0.95 indicated a large magnitude of change. These results suggest that progressive learning through mathematical logic, logic gates, Scratch, and MIT App Inventor can support the development of participants' fundamental competencies before proceeding to C programming, Arduino, and the implementation of an ESP32-based Smart Watering System.]]>
