We began this project by learning the basics about electronics. We had essentially the same group as for the instruments project, except we were technically split into two groups: Spencer and I, and Patrick and Ben. We learned about different parts of a circuit, including, but not limited to, current, resistance, voltage, power, series and parallels, and how each those interact with each other. We learned about this through the use of alligator clips, large wires, and big batteries.
Once we completed learning the basic parts of a circuit, we began to downsize our parts. This was an important step in learning about electronics and circuitry, since computers and modern electronics are all possible by using smaller and more efficient components. We began using breadboards to build our circuits. These were confusing at first, with everything being on a smaller scale and everything, but once we got the hang of it after a day or two, they became much more fun and versatile than the larger circuits. After that, we were given access to computers, and got into the programming side of the circuits. We began programming using the Arduino Unos in conjunction with the breadboards. The programming was, surprisingly, easier than I thought it would be. The next part of the project was to begin creating a "robot art show", or an automated light and sound piece designed to entertain the audience, or the class.
At this point, Patrick and Ben decided to split off and create their own project, so Spencer and I joined Noah and Eric to create an art show. We decided to create a light show that would be synchronized with the song Sandstorm, by Darude. The program we wrote was fairly simple, only using a void setup to label each pin output as a number, and then the void loop to say which lights glowed, when they glowed, and for how longed they glowed. The circuit itself consisted of a set of lights individually hooked up to the outputs. You can see the coding below and a video of the circuit below that.
Once we completed learning the basic parts of a circuit, we began to downsize our parts. This was an important step in learning about electronics and circuitry, since computers and modern electronics are all possible by using smaller and more efficient components. We began using breadboards to build our circuits. These were confusing at first, with everything being on a smaller scale and everything, but once we got the hang of it after a day or two, they became much more fun and versatile than the larger circuits. After that, we were given access to computers, and got into the programming side of the circuits. We began programming using the Arduino Unos in conjunction with the breadboards. The programming was, surprisingly, easier than I thought it would be. The next part of the project was to begin creating a "robot art show", or an automated light and sound piece designed to entertain the audience, or the class.
At this point, Patrick and Ben decided to split off and create their own project, so Spencer and I joined Noah and Eric to create an art show. We decided to create a light show that would be synchronized with the song Sandstorm, by Darude. The program we wrote was fairly simple, only using a void setup to label each pin output as a number, and then the void loop to say which lights glowed, when they glowed, and for how longed they glowed. The circuit itself consisted of a set of lights individually hooked up to the outputs. You can see the coding below and a video of the circuit below that.
Concepts
Circuit - A series of conductive materials connected in a loop with the negative end of a power source on one side and the positive side of the power source on the other.
Series Circuit - Where there is a set of circuit components, usually resistors, are in a row, where the current goes through all of them in succession. Current stays the same throughout all components of a series.
Parallel Circuit - Where the electrical components are parallel to each other, with the same voltage across each other. Voltage stays the same throughout all branches of a parallel.
Current - The flow of electrons in an electrical circuit.
Voltage - The electrical difference in a circuit. Sometimes described as "electric tension."
Resistance - The opposition of the flow of electrical current in a circuit. Everything added to a circuit adds at least a little bit of resistance.
Programming - Process of coding a computer program. We did a lot of programming in this project, especially for the final product.
Ohms Law - V = I x R. Voltage is equal to current times the resistance. Essential for several parts of our project, since we needed to find the total resistance and current for many of the circuits we created.
Breadboard - Standard construction base for the programming of electronics. We started off learning about electronics through alligator clips and large wires, and when we got good at that, we upgraded to breadboards. Breadboards have holes for plugging in electronic components, with the center two groups being connected in rows, and the outer two groups connected in columns.
Kirchoff's Law - At any node in a circuit, the sum of currents flowing into that node is equal to the sum of currents flowing out of that node. Basically, what goes in is equal to what comes out.
Reflection
This project had one of the smoothest procedures to date. One of the most prominent Peaks was how positively uneventful the project was; everything went perfectly smoothly. Noah, Spencer, Eric and I are all good friends, and we never had any conflicts of vision relating to the project. Another one of our great Peaks was the final product. Our circuit and related program and coding worked very well, and that is clearly reflected in the grade we received; it is the first 100% we have ever gotten on a project in the class.
We had a few minor issues during the project. One of our few Pits we had was time management. Although time management is usually a huge problem in these projects, it was only a minor issue here, since we only had to work slightly harder the last day than we had previous days. Another minor Pit was my trip to New York City. It caused me to lose the last three work days on the project, which would have seriously negatively impacted the final product, if not for my amazing teammates. I cannot thank them enough for working extra hard when I was absent. All in all, this was one of the better projects. The product was great, the process was better, and it was really fun to build and code it all too. I can only hope our final project for this year can be this fun.
Circuit - A series of conductive materials connected in a loop with the negative end of a power source on one side and the positive side of the power source on the other.
Series Circuit - Where there is a set of circuit components, usually resistors, are in a row, where the current goes through all of them in succession. Current stays the same throughout all components of a series.
Parallel Circuit - Where the electrical components are parallel to each other, with the same voltage across each other. Voltage stays the same throughout all branches of a parallel.
Current - The flow of electrons in an electrical circuit.
Voltage - The electrical difference in a circuit. Sometimes described as "electric tension."
Resistance - The opposition of the flow of electrical current in a circuit. Everything added to a circuit adds at least a little bit of resistance.
Programming - Process of coding a computer program. We did a lot of programming in this project, especially for the final product.
Ohms Law - V = I x R. Voltage is equal to current times the resistance. Essential for several parts of our project, since we needed to find the total resistance and current for many of the circuits we created.
Breadboard - Standard construction base for the programming of electronics. We started off learning about electronics through alligator clips and large wires, and when we got good at that, we upgraded to breadboards. Breadboards have holes for plugging in electronic components, with the center two groups being connected in rows, and the outer two groups connected in columns.
Kirchoff's Law - At any node in a circuit, the sum of currents flowing into that node is equal to the sum of currents flowing out of that node. Basically, what goes in is equal to what comes out.
Reflection
This project had one of the smoothest procedures to date. One of the most prominent Peaks was how positively uneventful the project was; everything went perfectly smoothly. Noah, Spencer, Eric and I are all good friends, and we never had any conflicts of vision relating to the project. Another one of our great Peaks was the final product. Our circuit and related program and coding worked very well, and that is clearly reflected in the grade we received; it is the first 100% we have ever gotten on a project in the class.
We had a few minor issues during the project. One of our few Pits we had was time management. Although time management is usually a huge problem in these projects, it was only a minor issue here, since we only had to work slightly harder the last day than we had previous days. Another minor Pit was my trip to New York City. It caused me to lose the last three work days on the project, which would have seriously negatively impacted the final product, if not for my amazing teammates. I cannot thank them enough for working extra hard when I was absent. All in all, this was one of the better projects. The product was great, the process was better, and it was really fun to build and code it all too. I can only hope our final project for this year can be this fun.