Week 5 Arduino Success

COPY BUTTON DID NOT WORK!

Besides last week, this was my first very experience playing with an Arduino. When diving into experiment 3, I was so grateful that we did the first two experiments last week. This week seemed easier in a sense. Downloading the software was in place and we were able to really focus on the lessons/experiments. One frustrating thing that happened in each experiment was copying the code correctly. Why does the copy code button not work? For each experiment, we tried multiple copy attempts before it worked. We also wished that the diagram in the experiment directions had all of the numbers listed and did not just go by 5s. It would have been easier to connect all components.

• Experiment 3: Driving an RGB LED

This experiment was pretty straight forward although it did not work at first. After we pressed down on the resistors, we saw a blue light and felt success. Then we realized that we installed the LED incorrectly and needed to switch it around in order to see the other colors. Once switched around, we saw red, blue and green as well as variations of those colors. It was interesting to see this type of LED light. I didn´t know they existed. They would be fun to use in many circuit projects.

• Experiment 4: Driving Multiple LEDs

For this experiment, we started connecting the wires on our school´s older Arduino kit. The breadboard in this kit is red and so much harder to read. Our eyes were crossing and heads were spinning with this involved circuit board design. For some reason, when we connected the boards to the computer nothing worked. We are still unsure whether is was a code copying error or if the board did not work. We checked the LEDs as the trouble shooting tip suggested and all were correct. We then called in Merlin, a 5th grade student, who then he suggested we switch the redboards. While Ellen and he reconnected the wires to the newer red board, I re-copied the code and success was had!

• Experiment 5: Reading a Button Press

The most confusing part about this experiment was the push button. It just didn´t fit like the diagram suggested. After reading the troubleshooting tips and more about the push button itself, we assumed that the push button can go anywhere on the board within those rows. Perhaps this is why some of the spots were highlighted green on the diagram? We gave it a go and nothing worked. We then figured out that one of the pins on the push board were bent and the connection was lost. We straightened out the pin and started fresh with a new one and the LED blinked faster when pressing the push button. One confusing part was the amount of push buttons needed. The material list and diagram only show one button but the What You Will You See section mentions two push buttons….?

• Experiment 6: Reading a Photoresistor

The experiment was quick and easy to assembly. Our confidence at this point was building until… it did not work. We again looked at the Troubleshooting section and were reminded to check the position of the LED light. Of course, we had it in backwards! It was neat to see the LED go on and off with the change of light. This would be fun for an interactive Halloween light-up cardboard model. When the lights go out, the display lights start up!

• Experiment 7: Reading a Temperature Sensor

We were on the homestretch and a feeling good. The wiring wasn't too tedious and it looked manageable. Once the temperature sensor was in, I started feeling around and got burned immediately when I touched the sensor. Man, was it hot! The computer said it was reaching temperatures of 400´F but I am not so sure that was accurate. After reading the experiment more carefully we disconnected the redboard from the computer and waited for it to cool. We when took it out with an alligator clip and put it in the opposite way. The computer started loading temperatures that made sense. The temperatures started off in the 100´F (probably becuase it was still hot) and quickly dropped to about room temperature.  Ellen and I discussed that this sensor would be fun to use for a automatic fan project where once the room hit 80´F a fan would power on.

My next 5th grade Tech Rotation is starting next week. I am thinking that doing some of these experiments might be really fun for students. Perhaps after trying a few, they could find a fun experiment online to recreate or perhaps come up with their own at the end of our rotation.