Project OverviewElectrical circuits and computer programming are involved in much of our favorite entertainment. Whether it be video games, amusement park attractions, or smartphone applications, electrical engineers and computer engineers are behind the scenes creating circuits and writing code, which delight our senses. In this project, we became the electrical and computer geniuses that engineer fun entertainment for our audience. We demonstrated our knowledge of electrical circuits, computer programming, and Arduino microcontrollers to make spooky decorations, which was displayed at our Fall exhibition on Wednesday, October 30th.
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Essential Questions
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Project Goals
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Project Details We worked in groups of four to develop spooky decorations and create amazing displays for exhibition. There were FOUR main project deliverables, which the group was responsible for delegating to our group members. We recorded who is responsible for what in the “Project Planning” section of the Project Description packet.
1. Interactive Decoration: Must have incorporated a minimum of three different electrical components. Reminder of electrical components: 1) LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 2) Potentiometer 3) RGB (Red-Green-Blue) LED 4) Push Buttons 5) Photo Resistor 6) Servo 7) Motor 8) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Each group had their own SIK (SparkFun Inventor’s Kit) with all of the electrical components listed above, as well as a Red Board and breadboard. Also, our exhibition visitors voted on their favorite decoration for each class, which was exhibited at the San Diego Mini MakerFaire! Great job friends! 2. Wiring Diagram with Electrical Component Table 3. Arduino Code with Comments 4. 8.5x11 Color Poster for your Decoration |
Process |
We had to learn how to write computer coding and how to wire a red board and bread board before starting the actual project. Shortly after this, we made a variety of circuits which included all of the above in the project details. Then in our group, we brainstormed ideas to make for our final product. We figured out we needed 2 motors so that our ghoul could act as if it were flying. Although our idea in our heads planned out great, we had to simplify our design from a wooden framed ghost to a tissue. This was because the motors were too weak to carry anything. They could barely hold the tissue. In the end, the project was satisfactory.
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Reflection |
Some of my strengths are giving/sharing ideas because this design was my original thought.
One of my challenges are figuring out how to code. I had a hard time with coding because I didn't understand completely what does what and why. But now I understand it better because I practiced it many times. In this Project, I learned how to computer program using code, make an Arduino circuit, problem solve, and simplify ideas. |