MISSION 01 · INTERMEDIATE ARDUINO
Make board says hello. Explore upload and timing.
1 · Signal Studio
Your new skill: Upload and timing
Match the names to your parts before you build. New parts appear when you first need them. You can point, say the name or show a grown-up.
A small programmable board: reads input signals and controls outputs. USB supplies the energy; code supplies the instructions.
Look for: Find USB, digital pins D0–D13, analog inputs A0–A5, 5V and GND.
Before using it: Use this 5V Uno; never put 9V on 5V or I/O.
Your turn: Point to USB, GND and the built-in L light.
WHAT YOU'LL USE
Reuse the parts between missions; these are not 45 simultaneous installations. Red/yellow/green means those three monochrome colours. RGB is a separate component with three channels.
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Unplug USB before changing connections. Use only the USB supply for this build; never connect 9V to 5V or a signal pin, and never connect to mains. An adult verifies variant, printed pin labels and resistor values before powering. Stop and unplug if a part becomes hot or damaged.
YOUR REWARD
PREDICT BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Before the test: which input will change, and what signal or reading do you expect?
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Parent check: exact part variant, labelled pins and stated values. If a check cannot be confirmed, keep this physical build unpowered and explore the code and prediction instead.
YOUR CHALLENGE
NEW POWER-UP
Upload and timing
Your first upload starts here.
Copy the complete code into Arduino IDE or download the sketch. Follow the matching component card before connecting power.
// First Wonder Brain Bots 01 — Board Says Hello
// USB-powered model. Unplug before rewiring. Serial Monitor: 9600 baud.
unsigned long intervalMs=500;
void setup(){Serial.begin(9600);pinMode(13,OUTPUT);digitalWrite(13,LOW);Serial.println("Ready. Follow your mission test.");}
void loop(){
unsigned long now=millis();
digitalWrite(13,(now/intervalMs)%2);
}
CONNECTION MAP
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 6
You will explore upload and timing. Start with the built-in LED; no external wires.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
You will explore upload and timing. Start with the built-in LED; no external wires.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
Upload and timing. The program changes a signal, while USB supplies the energy. Current needs a complete path; the series resistor limits LED current. Check your rule against an example where it should respond and one where it should not. Each on and off wait becomes one second.
This is a tabletop learning model. Controllers reuse inputs, decisions and outputs to automate a useful signal.
FAIR-TEST CHALLENGE
Change one input or setting at a time; keep the wiring and protection unchanged. Repeat three trials.
WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK YET
Likely cause: Wrong board, port or cable connection
Try this first: Check Arduino Uno selection and supplied data cable. Unplug external wiring before checking upload on built-in LED.
Likely cause: Pin labels, input calibration or variant differs
Try this first: Unplug. Compare every connection with the map. Return to the earlier single-input mission; test one subsystem at a time.
Likely cause: Sensor settling, target, contact or calibration
Try this first: Follow the exact test setup; allow settling, use a flat target or check module pinout unpowered. Never replace unknown with a guessed safe reading.
CLEAN, RESET AND STORE
Disconnect USB, remove wires carefully and store components dry.
NEXT SKILL
Closed circuit and polarity