Electronics and Programming
Programming
The programming that we did was called python. This programming language is one of the most basic languages to learn. Why they say that, I do not know. The STEM students learned how to use Python through an online class called Code Academy. They offer various programming languages, like HTML and Javascript. The python course that we were supposed to take was to take us around 13 hours to complete.
First off, that course took alot of people way more than 13 hours to complete. It took me around 20-22 hours to complete and I finished in the first half of the people who finished. Some people did not even finish. Luckily I completed the course and now have a slight background on Python.
My expierence with coding was not greatr but it was not horrible. Thanks to coding, I learned how to get through times where I was only missing the right code because of a forgotten semi-colon or space, incorrect indentation or the mis-spelling of a single word. I think that the coding taught me more about how I as a person, solve problems.
Electronics
The electronic expierements that we did in class started with alligator clips and ended with something called a light-emitting diode. In the very begining of this unit, our class expieremented with alligator clips and light bulbs. The objective of this exercise was to find out what different connections made the light bulb light up. By doing this expierement, our class learned how electricity flowed and how it functioned.
The next expierements consisted of breadboards. We used the breadboards to make simple series circuits thst we could measure amplitude, Voltage, and resistance from. These circuits always had a battery, a breadboard, a few resistors, and a few special resistors like a potentiometer. There were alot of different expierements in this section, and I learned alot from doing this.
The final part of this section was to get a light-emitting diode (an LED) to blink. I was paired up with Tony Molloy for this project. When we were given the diagram, Tony and I were shocked. This looked like the toughest circuit that we had ever seen. But we set to work. We saw that some groups were able to get their light to blink relatively quickly. But our light would not blink. Even after class had ended, we still could not get our LED to blink. So the next class, Tony and I asked Mr. Williams to help us out. Within a few minutes, Mr. Williams had spotted the problem and we got our LED to blink. It was cool.
The programming that we did was called python. This programming language is one of the most basic languages to learn. Why they say that, I do not know. The STEM students learned how to use Python through an online class called Code Academy. They offer various programming languages, like HTML and Javascript. The python course that we were supposed to take was to take us around 13 hours to complete.
First off, that course took alot of people way more than 13 hours to complete. It took me around 20-22 hours to complete and I finished in the first half of the people who finished. Some people did not even finish. Luckily I completed the course and now have a slight background on Python.
My expierence with coding was not greatr but it was not horrible. Thanks to coding, I learned how to get through times where I was only missing the right code because of a forgotten semi-colon or space, incorrect indentation or the mis-spelling of a single word. I think that the coding taught me more about how I as a person, solve problems.
Electronics
The electronic expierements that we did in class started with alligator clips and ended with something called a light-emitting diode. In the very begining of this unit, our class expieremented with alligator clips and light bulbs. The objective of this exercise was to find out what different connections made the light bulb light up. By doing this expierement, our class learned how electricity flowed and how it functioned.
The next expierements consisted of breadboards. We used the breadboards to make simple series circuits thst we could measure amplitude, Voltage, and resistance from. These circuits always had a battery, a breadboard, a few resistors, and a few special resistors like a potentiometer. There were alot of different expierements in this section, and I learned alot from doing this.
The final part of this section was to get a light-emitting diode (an LED) to blink. I was paired up with Tony Molloy for this project. When we were given the diagram, Tony and I were shocked. This looked like the toughest circuit that we had ever seen. But we set to work. We saw that some groups were able to get their light to blink relatively quickly. But our light would not blink. Even after class had ended, we still could not get our LED to blink. So the next class, Tony and I asked Mr. Williams to help us out. Within a few minutes, Mr. Williams had spotted the problem and we got our LED to blink. It was cool.
The Blinking LED
Concepts
Amplitude - the maximum amount of current and voltage. It is measured in Ohms.
Circuit - a loop of electricity that has a power source
Current - the flow of electricity
Voltage - the push or pull of electricity
Series - where two resistors are one after the other
Parallel - were the current is split in two and goes through two different resistors
Resistors - anything that electricity has a hard time traveling through; anything that alters the normal course of electricity
Multimeter - an instrument that measures volts, current, and resistance
Python - an easy programming language
Syntax - the set of rules that make each code correct
Variable - a storage location for information
Amplitude - the maximum amount of current and voltage. It is measured in Ohms.
Circuit - a loop of electricity that has a power source
Current - the flow of electricity
Voltage - the push or pull of electricity
Series - where two resistors are one after the other
Parallel - were the current is split in two and goes through two different resistors
Resistors - anything that electricity has a hard time traveling through; anything that alters the normal course of electricity
Multimeter - an instrument that measures volts, current, and resistance
Python - an easy programming language
Syntax - the set of rules that make each code correct
Variable - a storage location for information
Reflection
This was one of the tougher units for me because I found it so frustrating. But being frustrated also makes me want to learn more, so I gained alot of knowledge from this section. I think something that I did well was to preserve through infuriating times. The coding was very frustrating and so was the electricity. For both, if you made a simple mistake, it could completely throw you off. I also think I did a good job with time management. I was able to complete the programming and the electronics within a quick time frame and this allowed me to really work on other projects like the cardboard chair. Something that I did not like was how a simple mistake could mess you up real bad. I also think that I did not do too well at completely understanding how electronics work. Electronics was really hard for me and from this is was only able to understand the major concepts. This unit really taught me how to be get past tough things and complete things that I don't necessarily want to do.