Overview
In this project, we focused on electricity, circuits, robotics, breadboards, arduinos, and programming. We studied how electricity works within circuits, and the components that allow it to work. Then we moved on to breadboards. We learned how to set them up, and how to read circuit diagrams. Once we had mastered that, we started working with arduinos and programming. We learned how to set it up, and how to make our own. We also learned how to read and write code.
During this unit, our main goal was to eventually make our own robot art show. We had to create something on an arduino board using different circuits and code, and present it to the class. To do these projects we paired up. My partner and I had limited knowledge on the information in this unit, so it was difficult for us to make our circuit in the time that we had. Our circuit was a piano where each button created a different note. The notes were different octaves of the C note. We also had an LCD board attached to it. It was supposed to display a message such as "Make you own song," but due to lack of time and experience, we could only get it to light up. All in all, I was happy with our end product. Below is a video of it working and pictures of the circuit and circuit diagram.
During this unit, our main goal was to eventually make our own robot art show. We had to create something on an arduino board using different circuits and code, and present it to the class. To do these projects we paired up. My partner and I had limited knowledge on the information in this unit, so it was difficult for us to make our circuit in the time that we had. Our circuit was a piano where each button created a different note. The notes were different octaves of the C note. We also had an LCD board attached to it. It was supposed to display a message such as "Make you own song," but due to lack of time and experience, we could only get it to light up. All in all, I was happy with our end product. Below is a video of it working and pictures of the circuit and circuit diagram.
Below is our code to make the circuit work.
Concepts
Circuit- A loop of conductive materials that run from the positive to the negative side of a power source. ex. This is what we made in our project.
Resistance- Something that limits the amount of current that runs through the circuit. ex. light bulbs
Current- The "flow" of electricity through a circuit. It is measured in Amps. ex. This is how much power goes through the circuit and how different objects like light bulbs will react.
Voltage- The difference in potential energy between points in a circuit. It is measured in volts. ex. This is what batteries are measured in.
Breadboard- A board for making experimental models of electrical circuits
Arduino- An open source electronics platform (for images see circuit pictures above).
Reflection
I learned a lot during this project. Some of it I really enjoyed, and others, not so much. Some of it was frustrating at times, and other things were fun to work through. Due to my limited background knowledge going into it, I struggled with some of the material at first then eventually I understood. Overall I thought it was a good experience. I realized I really enjoyed setting up circuits, and I learned a little bit of coding.
Pits: I got really frustrated with the material sometimes, especially when I kept trying something over and over again and I still couldn't get it to work. One particular circuit took me and my partner eight attempts before we finally got it to work.
Peaks: My partner and I worked well together. We had fun doing the projects, but still worked hard. Another peak was that we tried really hard to get our circuits to work. We made multiple attempts on certain ones if we didn't get it right the first time, and stayed later (after school and at lunch) to finish our project.
I thought this unit was a great experience to learn new things about robotics,electricity, and circuits. I had a lot of fun, even if it was difficult at times. I didn't know a lot about circuits and coding to begin with, but now that I've learned some of the basics, I found that I enjoy it, and could possibly get into a career involving it later on.
Pits: I got really frustrated with the material sometimes, especially when I kept trying something over and over again and I still couldn't get it to work. One particular circuit took me and my partner eight attempts before we finally got it to work.
Peaks: My partner and I worked well together. We had fun doing the projects, but still worked hard. Another peak was that we tried really hard to get our circuits to work. We made multiple attempts on certain ones if we didn't get it right the first time, and stayed later (after school and at lunch) to finish our project.
I thought this unit was a great experience to learn new things about robotics,electricity, and circuits. I had a lot of fun, even if it was difficult at times. I didn't know a lot about circuits and coding to begin with, but now that I've learned some of the basics, I found that I enjoy it, and could possibly get into a career involving it later on.