Embedded Files
Learning Module #1 - Arduino
Casey worked with Jerry and Liam on using, modifying, and programming with Arduino. The first thing they learned was how to make a standard LED blink. They learned by watching videos and looking at code examples. They then figured out how to use rgb values to make the LED colors fade between different colors with methods. Then, by combining the powers of the circuit board, the code, an ultrasonic sensor they received in their starter kits, and the rgb LED, they made an arduino board that can change the LED's color depending on how far of a distance objects are from the sensor.
Learning Module #2 - Unity
Casey and Ethan worked on exploring Unity and its features, with the goal of learning how it works and starting to make the very base of a game using the skills they learned. After facing some difficulties with navigating the website, they resolved to work on their own projects while helping each other along. Ethan would work with 2D, Casey would work with 3D. They watched videos on YouTube about making their levels in Unity, and gained plenty of skills to help them make their own levels of games in Unity. Ethan learned primarily about movement and sprites, while Casey learned about changing the orientation and attributes of an object. They found it to be a worthwhile experience where working through the issues allowed them to feel accomplished once they were successful
Learning Module #3 - Soldering
Casey worked with Paul to learn the basics of soldering by following a tutorial from a manual they got from Mr. Detrick's room. This guide gave them step by step instructions on soldering different areas, materials, and techniques. They found it very easy to follow and in turn, had a lot of fun with the process of soldering. Casey and Paul both took the soldering kits home multiple times to do work at home, which worked out well. This project ended up being very useful for understanding what certain tools are used for alongside how they're implemented through soldering.
Learning Module #4 - Unreal Engine
Casey worked with Lenny to make an FPS (First Person Shooter) game in Unity. They used their time in this project learning to work with Unreal, neither of them had used it prior. They accomplished adding textures to objects, the walls and the sky, resizing objects, setting up obstacles for the player and they added an objective to the top left on the screen telling the player what to do. Though their initial goals for this project differed, they ended up making a sandbox with parkour in it, which was just as much a great accomplishment. They found this project very good for learning how to work with Unreal Engine and its features, in addition to giving them a worthwhile experience by doing it.
Learning Module #5 - HTML Food Helper Website
Casey made a website with HTML that helps to give users ideas for what they should eat on whatever meal of the day they need ideas for. He worked on his own since he was to be on vacation for Thanksgiving, and was absent for several days. He learned HTML with Codecademy's lessons, which proved to be easy to understand and helpful. With making the website he accomplished adding a background, links to websites, colored text, headers and highlighted text so the text can be seen without the colors blending into the background. Despite many setbacks, he found this project to be very worthwhile when it came to learning HTML and getting more experience with GitHub & Replit.
Learning Module #6 - Gameboy Zero w/ Raspberry Pi
Casey worked with Jason to make a Gameboy Zero using Raspberry Pi. They made practically a replica of Nintendo's Gameboy that runs RetroPie, an emulator that plays loads of old games, though it struggles with higher quality ones such as Nintendo 64 or Playstation. This project was useful for their skills in Dremel, Raspberry Pi and circuits. They learned to modify the Raspberry Pi, use Dremel to modify, planning & electrical circuits, and some coding in C although they never ended up using it. Due to the screen blowing up just prior to the presentation however, it needs to be displayed on a screen for now, but they can fix it whenever since they know how to do it now. This project was the one they presented at the WH CS Library showcase, and was a lot of work, but they were very satisfied with the result.
Learning Module #7 - Super Mario World ROM Hack
Casey worked again with Paul to learn to ROM hack a retro game, which they decided to be Super Mario World. The program they used to do this was Lunar Magic, and they got a lot of their tools from SMWCentral along with their help for figuring out their problems. They found this project to be very fruitful in web + file navigation and despite the issues they ran into, they were happy with it regardless.
Learning Module #8 - Unity & Enemy AI
Casey and Jackson worked in Unity to make a game with an enemy that tracks and shoots the player. They also added many materials and coded movement so that the player can move around. This was the longest learning module, and in turn the most worthwhile one.
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