Hello World

After some reading and Youtube videos, I was finally able to jump in and do some programming on the Arduino micro.  I have had fun experimenting with the different sketches.

One of the things that has stuck with me most is how passion can drive learning. See, as a science teacher, I already knew, or memorized Ohms's law. However, it was not until I started having to use resistors with the LED lights, that I truly began to understand Ohm's law. My first steps in my maker inquiry has confirmed what I have always thought. If learning is for an authentic purpose, it is much more meaningful.



After tinkering around with the micro, I made my way to the Generator to borrow the SparkFun Redboard. It was there I was able to meet with Cynthia and see the amazing work she is doing with Lilypad. We have already been able to connect and share resources via Twitter. Now that we have made a connection, I am looking forward to building further our connection.

I captured some of the fun I have had with my programming. Here is an example of my "Hello World"

Getting Oriented

In the process of taking the first steps to my new learning adventure, Making Geoacaches.

I have been able to make a few visits to the generator first with Lucie and then again with the orientation last week. Now that I have a better understanding of the possibilities, I am working on planning what I want to learn.

As an avid geoacacher, I am looking to see how I can incorporate the arduino to "make" geocaches. If times allows, may also look into how rapid prototyping may be able to help design geocaches as well.

Geoacaching is a great way to combine technology, outdoor learning, and ramification. Not only do I love to geocache for personal growth, I use the technology to incorporate into learning with the staff and students at FWSU. 

For a little background info, here is a link to a recent post I wrote for FWSU on a geocache that was created by a group of students who participated in an after school geocaching group. 

If you have questions or ideas to share about being a geocacher maker, let me know. Always love to share my passion.

Welcome Angelique

I'd like to welcome Angelique Fairbrother to the  Ignite a Maker cadre. Angelique will be emerging as a Maker during the months of April and May.   She currently works in educational technology at Franklin West Supervisory Union where she supports teachers and students in all types of technology rich learning, including coordinating the annual district engineering day event.  Can't wait to see her grow as a maker.

Turn Signal Jacket news

I connected the power supply and the LilyPad.  The resistance of the conductive stitching needs to be less than 10 ohms between the power supply and the Pad, I borrowed a multimeter from Generator and measured about 4.5 ohms, so all good.  I laid out the LED's, marked everything with chalk and sewed the positive terminals of the LED's to the Lilypad.  I ordered some stitching glue and puffy fabric paint (insulator).  Soon I will download a program to the Lilypad and see if the LED's actually blink like a turn signal.  If the do, I'll start gluing things down and insulating the stitches so they don't short.

Also, every time I come down here I run into someone who helps me advance the STEM Academy along.  It's nice to be in a place where people have interests similar to mine and are willing to help.

Week at Generator Comes to a Close

By now, I have a pretty good routine.  It is fun to come in to play everyday!  Certainly keeps my mind off the insane cold and wind that has plagued outdoor life now for so long.
It's starting to feel like this is my new "job", except that the Generator staff have meetings that I don't have to go to!  Yay!  Also, I'm not getting paid. *pretends to be independently wealthy* No problem!

quickmeme.com/old-money-dog/page/2/

Taking home with me very specific items that are now fully organized and ready to use.  Taking with me only the tools I need. Plan to do some e-sewing and building the RedBot.  Heard back from my friend at Cannybots.  They are awaiting a shipment of parts today and expect to mail out my package tomorrow.  Haven't paid yet.  We shall see.

And how was your week?

Spark Fun Changes Their Kits and Assembly Instructions and Wheel Encoders

This morning I had intended to have the assembly complete of the RedBot.  It's 1:30, I've been here over two hours, but I'm not making progress except in terms of understanding the changes to the RedBot kits and their Assembly Instructions online.  I think I know now why they didn't send me the paper instruction booklet.  It was for an earlier version that included the Sensor Wheel Encoder. That's the wheel encoder I have (purchased separately), but not the one that links with the kit that I have.  The one that links to my kit has something called the Dagu Wheel Encoder kit (purchased separately) which I don't have.  So I spent the morning determining this by composing an email complete with screen shots to the good people at SparkFun. In the course of composing it, I think I arrived at the truth of the matter.  I think I can carry on even without a reply from them.  I don't think I need to order any more parts before I can build.  I'm just going to go with what I believe is the truth at this point.

Here's the confusion screen shot:

But I think I'm okay for now.

RedBot Kit by SparkFun

Today my plan is to assemble the RedBot.  What is a RedBot?
Here 'ya go:

Having trouble figuring out how to deal with the wheel encoder that I have.  Apparently I need another part that is on backorder.  I may be able to hold off on it and add it later.

This video, about two and a half minutes into this video, it tells about a new bumper product they have, but at a little over three minutes it tells about the wheel encoder.  I have the encoder, but not the other parts needed to use it.

About seven and a half minutes in is an intro to the RedBot.  NOTE:  Mine did not come with an instruction paper!  Poor me.  So I have to go digital.

Now it's time to go to the Generator as it's 10:30 and it takes 30 minutes to drive there from where I'm staying.  I don't want to be early today and have to run around in the biting cold to look for a place to wait - like I did yesterday.