"As We Work to Create Light For Others, We Naturally Light Our Own Way" - Mary Anne Madmacher
- Samantha H.
- Nov 21, 2022
- 3 min read
This week's adventure was challenging, fun, and certainly stretched me. The goal was to use an Arduino board, some LED lights, random wires, and peripherals to create fun lighting effects and create/learn some new coding techniques.
Challenge #1:
For this challenge the task was to learn how to physically set up an RGD (Red-Green-Blue) LED wired to the breadboard, and write a code so that the LED would cycle through several possible color combinations. This activity was helpful for the following activity, (let's not jump ahead) because it was a scaffold for using several pins to control one object (an output), and to reinforce naming variables (and assigning values) to simplify the coding process.
I have been trying to much of these projects the way that I like to learn: play around with it, make mistakes (so I know what NOT to do), get frustrated, read, get some crazy ambitious ideas and relentlessly bang my head on it until it finally works. This first project was great for my style of learning, and I was able to accomplish it quickly, and spend time with my little one in the process. The code built upon one that I previously used, and with a couple of tweaks, voila!, done. I took it a step further and attached a potentiometer, inserted a couple of lines of codes, and that was my final product.
Below you see a few pictures, the code, and the video of this first (altered) project:
The videos below show a couple of variations that I created by changing the code slightly. The second video shows the PWM pins (digital) in this build "faking" an analog input. Both used the same build shown above.
I was then inspired to try to control the speed of the color change using a peripheral (potentiometer). The results are below:
Video of MainColor_Potentiometer_Henegar
So far so good! I've figured out how to reuse and change a few pieces of code, and to add peripherals. The next assignment was to create a line of LEDs to flash and "chase" each other. BUT...if you know me, you know. I can't leave well enough alone, so I wanted to create something grand. I wanted to stretch myself, and apply some new coding principles that I've been reading about. Brace yourself..."Go big or go home". I finally got the code to work!! I had not, however tested it with the build I had created. So here it is, the culmination of many hours of reading, coding, more reading, and debugging.
Yes, sir. So, hours of work on the code, now to test the build! Time to hook it up and hit go:
I'll leave this right here.
I have definitely learned a lot this week:
Reusing code is amazing, and a HUGE time-saver. It also makes extending upon an idea so much smoother, especially when your project extension involves smashing two projects together.
Trying to write a program to bring extravagant (at least by my novices standards) ideas to fruition is very involved, but I found out that I love the challenge, and the research, and debugging! (TANGENT ALERT: Did you know that Grace Hopper was on the team that coined the phrase "debugging" while building and coding the Mark II computer. You should look her up!)
Tenacity, curiosity, and a love of reading/research are great qualities to have when you aren't pressed for time. I believe that playing with my Arduino MEGA 2560 is quickly becoming a favorite hobby (or unhealthy obsession) of mine, and I know that I will continue to pursue. I learned that the company SparkFun makes a shield for my board that can create music and musical instruments!! I can't wait to try it out.
In reference to the title of this article (I'm definitely taking this out of context, or maybe not) I would like to say that while I was attempting to create light for others (literally make LEDs go, and figuratively by involving my youngster), I created light for myself. I have labored in the mental exercise that I desperately needed, and I am inspired with, no, ignited with, a blazing curiosity in me that I have not had in recent years. I am excited to try new things, and I'm not afraid to step outside my comfort zone.
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