Robot Art Show

Our Task

The task for this project was to learn how to code and work with a breadboard and with that knowledge, create and program a creative circuit. The circuit was allowed to be or do anything as long as at least two components we learned were included. I was partnered with Beth for this project. We were able to program and create our circuit with a coding system called Arduino.

Evidence of Work

Beth and I completed lots of preparation leading up to the project, where we learned about circuit interactions, electrical connections, electromagnets, and motor wiring. With this background knowledge we were able to create a new year countdown with flashing lights and a song with lyrics. This creation used code from past experiments and we were able to manipulate it into our own unique code. Below is our final document, a diagram of our circuit setup, a video of our circuit working and the final code.

Content

Current - An electric current is the flow of charge/electricity through the circuit. Current is measured in amps, A, and you can solve for the current of a circuit using Ohm's Law, V=ir, where i=current.

Voltage - Voltage is the potential energy difference from one side of a component to other side. Voltage is measured in volts, V, and can be solved for using Ohm's Law, V=ir.

Resistance - Resistance is the amount of current that is slowed through an obstacle. Resistance is measured in Ohms and can be found with Ohm's Law, V=ir, where r=resistance.

Power - Power is the rate of transferring electrical energy through a circuit. It is defined as the variable P and can be found using the equation P=iv, where Power = (current)(voltage).

Electromagnet - An electromagnet is a soft metal core made into a magnet by the passage of electric current through a coil surrounding it. Beth and I experimented with electromagnets by testing different wires with a different amount of resistance. We found that a higher resistance wire creates a smaller magnetic field.

Coulomb's Law - Coulomb's Law states that like charges repel and opposites attract, with a force proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This law can be used to find the the electric force with the equation F=k((q1*q2)/(r^2)). In the equation, k = Coulomb's constant = 10.9^N.m^2/C^2, q1 and q2 = the different charges, and r = distance between charges.

Series Circuit - A series circuit is a circuit with a single path. There can be multiple different components that are all on this same path. The total resistance for a series circuit can be found using the equation r(total)=r1*r2*r3(etc.).

Parallel Circuit - A parallel circuit is a circuit with multiple paths, each are separate flows for the charges/electrons. The total resistance for a parallel circuit can be found using the equation 1/r(total)=1/(r1)*1/(r2)*1/(r3)(etc.).

General rules of coding -

• Events you want to occur continuously, place under loop

• Events you want to occur once, place under setup

• Always declare the variables within the code

• Remember for each open bracket, there needs to be a closed bracket

• Pay attention to detail and ask for a second pair of eyes to look over the code. Details matter!

Reflection

This project was challenging but also very fun and successful. I think that Beth and I worked really well together. We were on top of our work and finished early, allowing us to better our project and further our understanding of the content. I was not looking forward to this project because I had never coded before or worked with these physical components. However, applying myself to the work allowed me to understand and enjoy the work I was doing.

I think I did really well in the communicator section for this project. As I stated, Beth and I worked great together. We were able to focus on our personal strengths and create a project that highlighted them for each of us. For example, I found I was good at coding and figuring out what we needed in the code, and Beth was great at setting up and working with the physical components in the project. I also think I really improved in the conscientious learner portion of the project. As a class we completed lots of background research, allowing me to fully understand the project and all of the different parts. Although we faced challenges, Beth and I showed a growth mindset towards difficulties and we were able to overcome the problems.

With this being the last project of the year, I think I have grown a lot since last August. However going into next year, I want to focus on becoming a better communicator and a stronger critical thinker. Although I exemplified these skills a little this year, I definitely want to grow and improve and be able to confidently say I can show these skills all the time.