Day 3 RET summer training

Hump day! The first part of our day involves a formal introduction, by Nick Tompson instruction laboratory supervisor, to an arduino. The lecture and upcoming activities are meant to not only engage our teachers but to also have us feel comfortable with simple assembly and some programming of an arduino. The arduino is cost effective, $30 for Uno; $39 Nano, so our students can afford to play on their own. Programming usefully transfers to research in something other than CENG (soft C rather than assembly).  

The lecture this morning was in a whole different language...literally. Not sure how much of it I absorbed. I do see the potential in using a system that is easy to use and efficient. I am looking forward to the afternoon session where we get to do some hands on activities.

Now in the afternoon:) After a huge lunch and a monster drink we are back at learning more about the arduino but now getting a hands on experience. Our first task was to make two lights blink, one red the other green,  using a bread board and a bunch wires. Mind you, my group has very little experience in this area of technology much less programming. After some confusion and great mentoring we able to have lights blink, add a speaker for sound, then go off to our own explorations.

We also finalized our tank set up. Don't laugh at my sketches, it has been a while since I've done this. We will venture off to Lowe's and Petsmart tomorrow for supplies.