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Using an iPad, Circuit Playground, and a coding computer, I created a night light that plays music. I was inspired to make this project because I enjoy night lights with music. The process involved learning how to integrate coding with the Circuit Playground hardware. It was exciting to see the project come to life as I combined technology and creativity. This experience helped me understand how to bring my ideas into reality through coding and design.

During this project, I learned how to code a Circuit Playground. I started by exploring the basics of programming and gradually became more confident in writing the code to control the lights and music. Through trial and error, I figured out how to get the components to work together. The process taught me how to troubleshoot and refine my code to achieve the desired result. It was a valuable learning experience that deepened my understanding of coding and electronics. 

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 to the Empowered Learner standard because I had the freedom to choose what I wanted to create. This allowed me to take ownership of my learning and work on something that interested me. I was able to explore different ideas and make decisions on how to bring my project to life. It felt empowering to be in control of my learning experience.

One challenge I faced during this project was figuring out how to turn the lights off by shaking the device. Initially, I wasn’t sure how to make this feature work, but I asked someone for help. With their guidance, I was able to troubleshoot and implement the shake-to-turn-off function successfully. This experience taught me the importance of collaboration and seeking help when needed. It also showed me that persistence and problem-solving are key when working on projects like this.

If I had the chance to redo the project, I would change the music. The music I chose for the night light didn’t turn out as exciting as I had hoped, and it felt boring. I didn’t take the time to edit or select a better track, which affected the overall experience of the project. By selecting a more engaging song, I believe the project would have been more enjoyable and memorable. In the future, I would spend more time considering the music to make it a more impactful part of the design.

Hastings High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program offers a variety of courses, including Agriculture, Business Management, Computer Programming, Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, Digital Multimedia, Engineering Design, Finance, Insurance, and Marketing. My project directly connects to the Computer Programming CTE program, as it involved coding and working with technology. The skills I learned in this project are closely related to what students in the Computer Programming program are taught. This connection helped me gain hands-on experience with programming and technology, which is a key focus of the CTE program. It showed me how classroom learning can be applied in real-world projects.

My project also connects to careers in web development, as web developers work with computers and programming to create websites for companies. Similar to coding a Circuit Playground, web developers use programming languages to bring their ideas to life online. Both fields require problem-solving, creativity, and attention to detail. Through this project, I gained a better understanding of how coding skills can be applied to various careers, including web development. It made me realize that programming is a versatile skill used in many different industries.