Daily Log: 

Reflection Questions

• Using the Circuit Playground Express, we created an infrared (IR) signal to wirelessly communicate between two devices. One board was programmed to send out the IR signal when triggered, while the second board was set up to receive the signal and respond by activating its built-in speaker. This setup allowed us to test simple wireless communication between the two boards. Our goal was to see if an IR signal could successfully trigger an audio response from another device, and the experiment demonstrated that it worked as intended. This project gave us a better understanding of IR communication and how sensors and outputs can interact wirelessly. 

• During this process, I learned how to send an infrared signal from one Circuit Playground Express to another. I gained hands-on experience with programming the boards to transmit and receive IR signals, which involved understanding how the IR transmitter and receiver work. I also learned how to set specific conditions for sending the signal and how to trigger a response, such as playing a sound, on the receiving board. This helped me understand how devices can communicate wirelessly using light-based signals. Overall, it was a great introduction to wireless communication and sensor-based interaction. 

• The seven standards of the class are Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Knowledge Constructor, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator, and Global Collaborator. My project connects most closely with the Knowledge Constructor standard because I gained new understanding and skills through hands-on learning and problem-solving. Specifically, I learned how to send a signal from one Circuit Playground Express to another, which required me to research, test, and apply what I learned in a meaningful way. This process helped me build knowledge through exploration and experimentation, which is exactly what being a Knowledge Constructor is all about.

• A challenge I faced during this project was figuring out how to send an IR (infrared) signal, as I originally had no idea how to approach it. It was a bit frustrating at first, but instead of giving up, I teamed up with my friend Jackson to tackle the problem together. We spent time researching, experimenting, and troubleshooting the code until we finally got it to work. Collaborating made the process not only more manageable but also more enjoyable, as we were able to bounce ideas off each other and learn along the way. In the end, successfully sending the IR signal felt like a big win and a great example of how teamwork and persistence can lead to solving tough problems. 

• Given a chance to do this again, I would change is the sound and the design of the box around the speaker. The current sound is a bit annoying and not very pleasant to listen to, so I would definitely choose a different, more appealing sound. Additionally, the box that houses the speaker doesn’t look very good—it’s not visually appealing and could be improved with a cleaner, more polished design. These changes would not only make the project more enjoyable to use, but they would also give it a more professional and finished look. Improving both the sound and the aesthetics would make a big difference in the overall quality and user experience. 

• Hastings High School Career and Technical Education Program offers Agriculture, Business Management, Computer Programming, Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, Digital Multimedia, Engineering Design, Finance, Insurance, Marketing.  My project connects to the Computer programming CTE program at Hastings High School.  

• My project connects to careers in software development because it involved writing and working with code, which is a core part of what software developers do. Throughout the project, I had to think logically, troubleshoot problems, and test different solutions—just like developers do when creating software or applications. Writing the code to control how the project worked gave me a small glimpse into the kind of skills and mindset needed in the software development field. This experience helped me understand how important coding is in real-world tech careers and how it can be used to solve problems and create useful tools. 

*Helping me re-word and expand was Chat Gpt*