Project Timeline
An Idea Is Born
After figuring out the problem I wanted to tackle, I thought of an idea and discussed it with Mr. Hunter
Fleshing It Out
I received some guiding questions and advice from my peers
Trying Things Out
Arduino and coding are unfamiliar territory at this point, so I eased into things with Circuit Playground, a more familiar device and interface
Trying Things Out (pt. 2)
I had some successes with Circuit Express in class, while I worked on learning to code (C++)Â on my own time
Signal Goes Bad
Circuit Express finds its end within the project once I learn it can only communicate through weak IR signals. For the time being, I switched to micro:bit, which actually gave lots of inspiration for the user-interface aspect of the project
Figuring Out Arduino
While I set up micro:bits for the first prototype of the project, I also began messing around with Arduino, which I wanted to fully convert to as soon as I could.
Figuring Out ArduinoÂ
(pt. 2)
I successfully set up an Arduino-based heart-rate sensor, which would be a part of the first prototype for Professional Review Night
Professional Review Night
I presented my first prototype to a group of professional reviewers, who offered me tons of guidance through great questions and advice
Professional Review Night (pt. 2)
Professional Review Night (pt. 3)
Making The Switch
After the Professional Review Night, I continued on with my plan to make the switch to Arduino. I had learned a bit of coding, and had my hands on all the materials, so at that point, I just had to grind at it. I first got to work on the accelerometer
Exploring IoT
During the Professional Review Night, the biggest focus of the reviewers revolved around presenting the data my project collected with users. I researched how I'd be able to do this, and stumbled upon different IoT softwares, eventually landing on Blynk
Upgrades, People
After researching what would be best for my project at that point, I ordered different sensors, which were more powerful and had more functions than the last ones. After receiving them and setting them up for the project by soldering and wiring, I began work on the Arduino codes
Trial and Error
Writing code for the new sensors and creating and then connecting with an interface using Blynk was hard, and took the longest time during the project. I encountered countless error codes, messed up libraries, and more, but I kept at it and tackled these issues one-by-one
"I haven't failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work"
Thomas Edison
Finally!... Now do it all again.
Eventually, I got Blynk to work and found that it would be perfect for what I was trying to do. However, I established this connection via USB, which was not only insanely difficult to do with Arduino, but wasn't even wireless, like how I wanted it to be. I had to order an Arduino Uno WiFi REV2 board and then get that to work, which was a whole other beast
Baby Steps
After getting the WiFi Board, I had to do a lot of editing of libraries to get codes to work due to hardware differences. Then, I had to set up Blynk for a WiFi connection, which took a while, but I eventually figured out
Grind Time
With the STEAM Expo quickly approaching, I took the opportunity of a long weekend to grind out the final coding parts of the project. After spending hours upon hours testing things out and making the code better, I reached a satisfactory point
The Final Countdown
With the Expo just days away and all the project components working well, all I had left to do was get the wiring of the 2nd prototype in check. After a couple hectic hours and some help from Mr. Hunter, everything was now in place
The Final Countdown (pt. 2)
STEAM Expo
All my work culminated to the night of the STEAM Expo, where I shared my project with countless people
STEAM Expo (pt. 2)
Steam EXPO (pt. 3)
STEAM Expo (pt. 4)
