Week 7: Arduino & Electricity
Overview of Activity
We first went over how to install the Arduino IDE for programming an Arduino, followed by a brief explanation on electricity and a short activity where we made LEDs light up!
Arduino IDE for Windows, Mac, & Linux
Go to www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software and download the Arduino IDE for your operating system.
Go to learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-install-ch340-drivers/all#drivers-if-you-need-them and download the driver for your operating system.
Open the zip file u downloaded from step 2, open the install pkg file, and follow the prompted steps.
After restarting your computer, you are done with the installation of the driver.
Arduino IDE for Chromebooks
If you have a chromebook, go to the Chrome Web Store and search up Chromeduino 2 (not 1).
Click on Add to Chrome to add Chromeduino 2 to your chromebook.
Launch it and select a random server. You are now done.
Delete all the code already in it and follow the activity in the presentation!
Electricity
*See Presentation Slides 4 to 10 for the content*
Before we began using the Arduino Robotic Kits, we gave members a quick explanation on the concepts of electricity and how it works. Some of the topics that were covered include atoms, voltage, current/resistance, & more!
LED Arduino Activity
*see Presentation Slides 13 to 25 for the content*
After the presentation of electricity, members began doing the LED Arduino Activity. Members began following the instructions in order to accomplish the goal of making the LED light up.
The building and wiring of the Arduino were easily understood and the code was easily uploaded in the Arduino IDE. However, there were some technical issues including the installation of Drivers and using the correct Port. In the end, most members have successfully got their LEDs to light up.
Sources/Additional Resources
Evans, Paul. "How Electricity Works." The Engineering Mindset.com. Jan 14th, 2018. Article Link. Video Link.
Evans, Paul. "Voltage Basics." The Engineering Mindset.com. May 30th, 2019. Article Link. Video Link.
Questions?
If you have any questions, feel free to go to our discord server and ask us in the #programming channel. You can also show us your success in the #general-photo channel.