Day 3 Project Guides¶

Step-by-Step Instructions for Arduino Projects¶

Project 1: Blinking LED (Beginner)¶

Learning Objectives¶

Understand digital output
Control LED with code
Use loops and timing

Components Needed¶

Arduino Uno
1x LED (any color)
1x 220Ω resistor
Breadboard
Jumper wires

Wiring¶

Connect 220Ω resistor from Pin 13 to breadboard
Connect LED long leg (anode) to resistor
Connect LED short leg (cathode) to GND
See wiring diagram for details

Code in S4A¶

when green flag clicked
forever
    digital pin 13 on
    wait 1 secs
    digital pin 13 off
    wait 1 secs
end

Steps¶

Wire the circuit
Open S4A
Connect Arduino
Build the code
Click green flag
LED should blink!

Extensions¶

Change blink speed (adjust wait time)
Use different pin
Add multiple LEDs
Create patterns

Project 2: Button Control (Beginner)¶

Learning Objectives¶

Understand digital input
Read button state
Use conditions (if-then)

Components Needed¶

Arduino Uno
1x Button/Switch
1x 10kΩ resistor (pull-down)
1x LED
1x 220Ω resistor
Breadboard
Jumper wires

Wiring¶

Connect button: 5V → Button → Pin 2
Add pull-down: Pin 2 → 10kΩ → GND
Add LED: Pin 13 → 220Ω → LED → GND

Code in S4A¶

when green flag clicked
forever
    if digital pin 2 = 1 then
        digital pin 13 on
    else
        digital pin 13 off
    end
end

Steps¶

Wire the circuit
Build the code
Test: Press button, LED should light
Release button, LED should turn off

Understanding¶

Button pressed = Pin 2 reads HIGH (1)
Button not pressed = Pin 2 reads LOW (0)
Condition checks button state
LED follows button state

Extensions¶

Toggle LED (on/off with each press)
Control multiple LEDs
Add sound feedback
Create game controller

Project 3: Multiple LEDs Light Show (Intermediate)¶

Learning Objectives¶

Control multiple outputs
Create patterns
Use loops creatively

Components Needed¶

Arduino Uno
3x LEDs (different colors)
3x 220Ω resistors
Breadboard
Jumper wires

Wiring¶

LED 1: Pin 13 → 220Ω → LED → GND
LED 2: Pin 12 → 220Ω → LED → GND
LED 3: Pin 11 → 220Ω → LED → GND

Code in S4A¶

when green flag clicked
forever
    digital pin 13 on
    wait 0.2 secs
    digital pin 13 off
    digital pin 12 on
    wait 0.2 secs
    digital pin 12 off
    digital pin 11 on
    wait 0.2 secs
    digital pin 11 off
end

Pattern Ideas¶

Chase Pattern:

LED 1 → LED 2 → LED 3 → repeat

All On/Off:

All on → wait → All off → repeat

Random:

Turn random LED on/off

Steps¶

Wire all three LEDs
Plan your pattern
Write code
Test and refine

Extensions¶

Add more LEDs
Create complex patterns
Sync with music
Add button to change patterns

Project 4: Light Sensor (Intermediate)¶

Learning Objectives¶

Read analog sensors
Understand analog values (0-1023)
Use sensor data in decisions

Components Needed¶

Arduino Uno
1x Photoresistor
1x 10kΩ resistor
1x LED
1x 220Ω resistor
Breadboard
Jumper wires

Wiring¶

Voltage divider: 5V → Photoresistor → A0 → 10kΩ → GND
LED: Pin 13 → 220Ω → LED → GND

Code in S4A¶

when green flag clicked
forever
    if analog pin A0 > 500 then
        digital pin 13 on
    else
        digital pin 13 off
    end
end

Understanding¶

More light = Higher A0 value (closer to 1023)
Less light = Lower A0 value (closer to 0)
Threshold (500) determines when LED turns on
Adjust threshold for different sensitivity

Testing¶

Cover sensor → LED should turn off
Shine light → LED should turn on
Adjust threshold value as needed

Extensions¶

Use value to control LED brightness
Add multiple thresholds (dim, medium, bright)
Log light levels over time
Create automatic night light

Project 5: Temperature Monitor (Intermediate)¶

Learning Objectives¶

Read temperature sensor
Convert analog values to temperature
Use data for decision-making

Components Needed¶

Arduino Uno
1x TMP36 temperature sensor
1x LED (for indicator)
1x 220Ω resistor
Optional: Buzzer
Breadboard
Jumper wires

Wiring¶

TMP36: Left pin → 5V, Center → A0, Right → GND
LED: Pin 13 → 220Ω → LED → GND

Code in S4A¶

when green flag clicked
forever
    set [temperature] to ((analog pin A0 * 0.488) - 50)

    if [temperature] > 25 then
        digital pin 13 on
        play note 60 for 0.5 beats
    else
        digital pin 13 off
    end

    wait 1 secs
end

Understanding¶

TMP36 outputs voltage proportional to temperature
Formula: Temp = (voltage × 100) - 50
In S4A: (A0 reading × 0.488) - 50
Adjust threshold (25°C) for your needs

Calibration¶

Room temperature should read ~20-25°C
Adjust formula if readings are off
Test with known temperature source

Extensions¶

Display temperature on screen
Add multiple thresholds
Log temperature data
Create temperature alarm system

Project 6: Servo Motor Control (Intermediate)¶

Learning Objectives¶

Control servo motors
Understand PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
Create precise movements

Components Needed¶

Arduino Uno
1x Servo motor
Jumper wires
Optional: External 5V power

Wiring¶

Servo Red → 5V
Servo Black/Brown → GND
Servo Orange/Yellow → Pin 9

Code in S4A¶

when green flag clicked
repeat 2
    servo pin 9 to 0
    wait 1 secs
    servo pin 9 to 90
    wait 1 secs
    servo pin 9 to 180
    wait 1 secs
end

Understanding¶

Servos rotate to specific angles
Range: 0-180 degrees
0° = one extreme
90° = center
180° = other extreme
Pin 9 is PWM-capable (required)

Movements¶

Sweep:

0° → 180° → 0° (repeat)

Point to Positions:

0° → 45° → 90° → 135° → 180°

Follow Sensor:

Angle based on sensor value

Extensions¶

Control multiple servos
Create robotic arm
Follow light source
Create clock face

Project 7: Smart Plant Monitor (Advanced)¶

Learning Objectives¶

Combine multiple sensors
Use data for complex decisions
Create practical application

Components Needed¶

Arduino Uno
1x Moisture sensor (or DIY)
1x Photoresistor
1x TMP36 temperature sensor
3x LEDs (Green, Yellow, Red)
3x 220Ω resistors
1x Buzzer
Breadboard
Jumper wires

Wiring¶

Moisture → A0
Light → A1 (with voltage divider)
Temperature → A2
Green LED → Pin 13
Yellow LED → Pin 12
Red LED → Pin 11
Buzzer → Pin 10

Code in S4A¶

when green flag clicked
forever
    set [moisture] to analog pin A0
    set [light] to analog pin A1
    set [temperature] to ((analog pin A2 * 0.488) - 50)

    if ([moisture] > 500) and ([light] > 400) and ([temperature] > 20) and ([temperature] < 30) then
        digital pin 13 on  // Green: Good
        digital pin 12 off
        digital pin 11 off
    else
        if ([moisture] < 300) or ([temperature] > 35) then
            digital pin 13 off
            digital pin 12 off
            digital pin 11 on  // Red: Alert
            play note 60 for 0.5 beats
        else
            digital pin 13 off
            digital pin 12 on  // Yellow: Warning
            digital pin 11 off
        end
    end

    wait 2 secs
end

Logic¶

Green: All conditions good
Yellow: Some conditions need attention
Red: Critical condition + buzzer alert

Steps¶

Wire all sensors and outputs
Test each sensor individually
Write code with conditions
Test and adjust thresholds
Calibrate for your environment

Extensions¶

Add data logging
Connect to cloud (Day 3)
Add LCD display
Create mobile app interface

Project 8: Security System (Advanced)¶

Learning Objectives¶

Combine motion and light sensors
Create alarm system
Use multiple outputs effectively

Components Needed¶

Arduino Uno
1x PIR motion sensor (or button for simulation)
1x Photoresistor
1x Buzzer
2x LEDs (Green, Red)
2x 220Ω resistors
1x Servo motor
Breadboard
Jumper wires

Wiring¶

PIR: VCC → 5V, OUT → Pin 2, GND → GND
Photoresistor → A0 (with voltage divider)
Green LED → Pin 13
Red LED → Pin 12
Buzzer → Pin 11
Servo → Pin 9

Code in S4A¶

when green flag clicked
forever
    if (digital pin 2 = 1) and (analog pin A0 < 300) then
        // Motion detected + dark = alarm
        digital pin 12 on  // Red LED
        digital pin 13 off
        digital pin 11 on  // Buzzer
        servo pin 9 to 90  // Point camera
        wait 2 secs
        digital pin 11 off
    else
        // No alarm
        digital pin 12 off
        digital pin 13 on  // Green LED
        servo pin 9 to 0
    end
    wait 0.5 secs
end

Logic¶

Motion detected + Dark = Alarm
Motion detected + Light = No alarm (daytime)
No motion = Safe (green LED)

Features¶

Motion detection
Light level check (night mode)
Visual indicators
Audio alarm
Servo camera simulation

Extensions¶

Add delay before alarm
Record alarm events
Add keypad to arm/disarm
Connect to cloud notification

General Project Tips¶

Planning¶

Define Goal: What do you want to achieve?
List Components: What do you need?
Design Circuit: Draw wiring diagram
Plan Code: Outline logic
Build Incrementally: Test as you go

Building¶

Start Simple: Get one thing working
Add Complexity: Add features one at a time
Test Frequently: Verify each addition works
Debug Systematically: Fix one issue at a time

Troubleshooting¶

Check Wiring: Verify all connections
Check Code: Verify pin numbers and logic
Test Components: Test individually
Check Power: Verify Arduino is powered
Ask for Help: Don't struggle alone!

Documentation¶

Take photos of working circuits
Comment your code
Write down what works
Note any issues and solutions

Assessment Criteria¶

Beginner Projects (1-2)¶

Circuit wired correctly
Code runs without errors
Basic functionality works
Can explain how it works

Intermediate Projects (3-6)¶

Multiple components work together
Code uses conditions effectively
Project demonstrates understanding
Can troubleshoot issues

Advanced Projects (7-8)¶

Complex system works correctly
Multiple sensors and actuators
Creative problem-solving
Can help others

Next Steps¶

After completing projects: 1. Modify and experiment 2. Combine ideas from different projects 3. Design your own project 4. Prepare for Day 3 (cloud integration) 5. Think about classroom applications

Remember: The best way to learn is by doing. Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes!