iLumin8

Modula Maths

Name of Project

Modula Maths

Description

8A has worked very hard all term to create a masterpiece and we have called it Modula Maths

(modulo maths)!

Seven boards with matrices of LEDs connected to a single Arduino board. Come close to the ultrasonic sensor at the top of the central board and the LEDs will flash very quickly. Stand back and watch each of the seven boards slowly build a surprise display.

We started with seven large wooden boards where we drew a grid of 8 x 11 evenly spaced points which Mario kindly drilled a grid of 88 (11 x 8) holes for us in each board. Each board was then painted black and the LED strips were put into the holes. We secured the LED strips by using strong duct tape. The class ran separate wiring for the data signal and the positive and negative power connections. We stripped the connecting wires ends of their plastic coating and a group of students used a soldering iron to fuse them with wires. While this was being done, an intelligent team of coders, with the help of Mr Parker, worked hard to make a variety of different patterns and colours appear on the boards.

Materials

Wooden boards, black paint, solder/soldering iron, connecting wires, LED strips, Arduino board, duct tape

Students Involved

8Ma.A

STEM Skills

Examples include:

  • Collaboration
  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem Solving
  • Coding
  • Mathematical skills using Modulo Mathematics
  • Communication and teamwork
  • Research
  • Creative thinking