Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference

Learn why Arduino is a great, and frustrating, microcontroller platform! Much of our world is controlled with microcontrollers now. With Arduino students learn real life application, (we literally use the same motion detector pieces already installed in our classrooms!), problem solving, collaboration and debugging in a big way! Microcontrollers are great for students that like to be hands-on or that are drawn to code but don't want to stare at a screen all day. Students can wire up their own projects, load the code and edit as needed. They will then SEE a physical representation of that code, (lights blinking, sensors reacting, motors moving etc.). Robots are great but this application is as much fun for females as it is males and doesn't came with the same preconceived notions. Arduinos can be wearable and sewable, great for young ladies that want to shine... literally! (Presenter(s): Shannon McCracken, S.T.E.A.M. Educator, SAU61, Farmington High School)