In this project we learned about breadboards and programming. To do this, we (with a partner) went through a series of packets. The first was to introduce electronics. We used Alligator clip wires and other large scale electronics. This helped us get the idea of parallel and series circuits. These experiments started out as fun but got tedious and slow. Me and my partner, Lexi, were ready for the next packet. In this packet, we applied the knowledge from the first packet and worked with smaller scale electronics and breadboards. These were are harder but more fun. we used multimeters to measure volts and amps and learn about the flow of electricity. Finally, the third packet, introduced programming. We used a breadboard and Arduino to try several experiments. The experiments were shown to us in the Arduino booklet and the code was given to us. However, we still have to examine the code and learn what each line did so we could write our own code later. Then, we could move on to our final project. Our robot for the robot art show. Using the knowledge we had gathered, we used the arduino and breadboard to be make circuit and write code that did whatever we want. Me and Lexi decided to make a Karaoke machine. A buzzer would play the some "Somewhere over the rainbow" and an LCD screen would display the words. I did most of the programming. I started with some of the premade code and then modified it to do what we needed. For a reason I can't figure out, the first verse of the song repeats three times and then continues with the rest of the song. You can see the code below.
Reflection: I am very happy with the way this project went. I have been trying to learn more programming and this was a great opportunity. The project did get very stressful. I kept on getting curly braces in the wrong places in the code which messed thing up. Their were many times where I felt like giving up and to do an easier project. However, we had many people tell us this project was to ambitious, for our pride, we needed to get this project to work. So I kept working on it. Lexi was a great at helping. Even though she did not understand the code as well as I did she kept me calm and focused. I also would like to thank Matt and Jacob. They both assisted me with the code when I need a new perspective. I don't think I would have been able to finish with out these three people's support. They are still somethings that could have been better. I wish we could have focused more on the first packets so we could get more final build time. I also wish that I would have kept a more level head when it came to challenges with the program. I could have freaked out less and stayed more calm. My final pit would be that we never got the code to work 100%. It still repeats the first verse three times and then continues with the rest of the song. Please use the contact form if you are able to figure out why the code does this. Yet, even with the pits, me and Lexi both felt very accomplished. We were working up to the last second and got the code to do something. I loved working with Lexi. I also enjoyed learning more about programming. I hope to continue improving my skills in the area.
Vocabulary covered for this project:
Circuit: Loop of conductive material from one power source terminal to the other. Resistance: The about of slowing of the current through an obstacle. Current: The flow of charge/ electricity through the current Voltage: The potential energy difference from on side of a component Power: the amount of flow with a potential energy difference. Series: When the voltage has only one pathway Parallel: When the voltage spits into multiple pathways Resistors: something you put in a circuit to reduce current flow and lower the voltage. Breadboard: A place where you can put electric components in a circuit without it being permanent. Coding: Instructions in a computer's language that tell it to do something.