Computer Science Students Use Arduino Programming to Compete in Open-Ended Challenge

Students in the introduction to programming with Arduino class were tasked with applying their skills into a fun competition against their classmates.

 

Arudinos are small microcontroller boards that are used in robotics, home automations, art installations and more.

 

“In a regular programming class, students often learn some syntax and then get a chance to code a game or a similar project,” computer science teacher Timothy Sinnott said. “In this case, though, the programming they are learning is being done in the context of robotics and similar, real-world applications.”

 

For a fun challenge to apply the coding they’ve learned, students were tasked with building the circuits and electrical wiring needed, and adding simple materials like cardboard, glue, popsicle sticks, straws and tape to create a robotic device that can fling a ping-pong ball the farthest distance.

 

The approach each student took toward the open-ended challenge varied wildly. There were devices resembling slingshots, one that turned a popsicle stick into something resembling a motorized golf club, and one inspired by a catapult. In the end, grade 8 student Holiday Jones won the competition, beating out her Upper School classmates.

 

“It’s a way for students to use divergent thinking with their new coding skills to make their learning more meaningful, tangible and fun,” Mr. Sinnott said.