Programming and Robotics
This has to be my most favorite project of this year. It was so much fun! This project we had to create our own light show using computers and Arduino kits. However we had to go through a couple steps before we go there.
Learning and Creating Closed Circuits
First we learned what makes a closed circuit. A closed circuit when you connect a positive charge to a negative charge and create a continuous loop. Once we got the basics Mr.Williams gave us packets that involved us creating different kinds of circuits, and in different combinations. This included mixing and matching series and parallel circuits. A series circuit is when you have to different resistors right next to each other with no separate branches. A parallel circuit is when you have two different resistors on two different branches coming from one end of a battery. The circuits we created used these things called alligator clips (similar to the ones used to start a car battery), light bulbs, nichrome wire, and a battery.
Breadboards
The next thing we did was a smaller packet that instead of using alligator clips we used actual wires. A breadboard is a board with a series of holes next to each other that in some way has other holes linked to it. Once we were all done with our packets we moved on to some actual programming.
Programming and Lights
After the packets were finally able to start programming. We started off by getting the great news that the STEM program received generous funds to put towards getting our own laptops. These laptops were AWESOME. They are super easy to use and they are just for the STEM program. First we downloaded the Arduino program and set it up so that there were guides to each of the different circuits. These guides showed us what code was used to make certain circuits function. Then we assembled our kits. These kits came with wires, resistors, motors, lights, a red board(mini motherboard), and a bunch of other cool devices. These kits also came with a guide so that we setup the circuit then went to the computer to look at the code and how it was programmed. This was so cool! Once we went through the whole the through circuit guide we could start working on our own things. I chose to design a circuit and code the Halo 3 theme song and make it so that a different light played every time. This worked by using a bunch of LED's and resistors all set up parallel to each other. Luckily I was able to get it done in time for the deadline and it turned out great.
Learning and Creating Closed Circuits
First we learned what makes a closed circuit. A closed circuit when you connect a positive charge to a negative charge and create a continuous loop. Once we got the basics Mr.Williams gave us packets that involved us creating different kinds of circuits, and in different combinations. This included mixing and matching series and parallel circuits. A series circuit is when you have to different resistors right next to each other with no separate branches. A parallel circuit is when you have two different resistors on two different branches coming from one end of a battery. The circuits we created used these things called alligator clips (similar to the ones used to start a car battery), light bulbs, nichrome wire, and a battery.
Breadboards
The next thing we did was a smaller packet that instead of using alligator clips we used actual wires. A breadboard is a board with a series of holes next to each other that in some way has other holes linked to it. Once we were all done with our packets we moved on to some actual programming.
Programming and Lights
After the packets were finally able to start programming. We started off by getting the great news that the STEM program received generous funds to put towards getting our own laptops. These laptops were AWESOME. They are super easy to use and they are just for the STEM program. First we downloaded the Arduino program and set it up so that there were guides to each of the different circuits. These guides showed us what code was used to make certain circuits function. Then we assembled our kits. These kits came with wires, resistors, motors, lights, a red board(mini motherboard), and a bunch of other cool devices. These kits also came with a guide so that we setup the circuit then went to the computer to look at the code and how it was programmed. This was so cool! Once we went through the whole the through circuit guide we could start working on our own things. I chose to design a circuit and code the Halo 3 theme song and make it so that a different light played every time. This worked by using a bunch of LED's and resistors all set up parallel to each other. Luckily I was able to get it done in time for the deadline and it turned out great.
Video-
Resistors- the short wirey things with a bulge in the middle.
Wires- the multi-colered strings coming from set
Breadboard- the thing where everything is inserted (the bottom or platform)
Reflection
This project was great! My favorite one of the year. Our table group was split into two so that we only had one person to work with and that might be one of my most favorite parts about it. I was able to have a smart humored team member so that we got it done on time, quickly, and efficiently but still had some fun doing it. I would not have been able to code anything without him. However as far as the project goes, I thought it was a little chaotic sometimes but in the end I got it done. I can not stress enough that this was my most favorite project of the year. I do not even really know why. I just know that I loved doing it.
Resistors- the short wirey things with a bulge in the middle.
Wires- the multi-colered strings coming from set
Breadboard- the thing where everything is inserted (the bottom or platform)
Reflection
This project was great! My favorite one of the year. Our table group was split into two so that we only had one person to work with and that might be one of my most favorite parts about it. I was able to have a smart humored team member so that we got it done on time, quickly, and efficiently but still had some fun doing it. I would not have been able to code anything without him. However as far as the project goes, I thought it was a little chaotic sometimes but in the end I got it done. I can not stress enough that this was my most favorite project of the year. I do not even really know why. I just know that I loved doing it.