Brain Bots

30 minstarter

Public beta · final kit validation pending

MISSION 01 · INTERMEDIATE ARDUINO

Make the Board Say Hello

Wake the board and make light obey your code.

Public beta missionFollow the matching kit materials and the safety guidance on this page. Final production-kit validation is still in progress, so stop and ask a grown-up if your physical setup differs.

1 · Meet the Program

Your new skill: Upload, observe and change one timing value.

Meet the parts

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.

Arduino Uno New here

This programmable board reads inputs and controls outputs by following a program called a sketch.

Spot it and try it

Look for: Find the USB socket, the labelled digital and analog pins, 5V and GND. The microcontroller is a small computer chip on the board.

Before using it: Our course uses the 5V Uno and USB supply. GND is the shared electrical reference, not a special part or an instruction to connect to a wall socket.

Your turn: Point to the built-in LED, a digital pin and an analog input pin without plugging in any wires.

USB data cable and computer New here

The computer lets us write and upload a sketch. A USB data cable carries the upload and supplies the Uno in these missions.

Spot it and try it

Look for: Match the board socket and computer socket. Some cables charge only and cannot transfer a sketch.

Before using it: Use Arduino IDE and the selected Uno board and port. Disconnect USB before moving circuit wires.

Your turn: Find the upload button and the board selection before running the first sketch.

Meet the parts for Make the Board Say Hello

A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.

Read the video instructions

Before we build, match these names to the parts in front of you. Arduino Uno. This programmable board reads inputs and controls outputs by following a program called a sketch. Find the USB socket, the labelled digital and analog pins, 5V and GND. The microcontroller is a small computer chip on the board. Our course uses the 5V Uno and USB supply. GND is the shared electrical reference, not a special part or an instruction to connect to a wall socket. USB data cable and computer. The computer lets us write and upload a sketch. A USB data cable carries the upload and supplies the Uno in these missions. Match the board socket and computer socket. Some cables charge only and cannot transfer a sketch. Use Arduino IDE and the selected Uno board and port. Disconnect USB before moving circuit wires. Pause and point to the part that will do the main job in this mission. If it is missing or looks different, ask a grown-up before building.

WHAT YOU'LL USE

Match these to your kit

Arduino UnoUSB data cable

Gather from home

computer

Kit list: match the named parts to your box and its component cards. Home list: gather these before starting; some may also be supplied in your kit. Reuse components between missions. Stop and ask a grown-up if an essential part or label is missing.

BEFORE YOU BUILD

Keep the board dry and do not force the USB connector.

YOUR REWARD

+50 XPMission completion

PREDICT BEFORE YOU BEGIN

What will the output do when you change the input? Say, point or draw your prediction.

YOUR CHALLENGE

Wake the board and make light obey your code.

NEW POWER-UP

Upload, observe and change one timing value.

Start here. We will learn one useful skill, then reuse it in the next mission.

Adult help: Ask a grown-up for the first upload, wiring and any moving parts.

Open diagrams and build references

Mission 1 — source manual diagram 1 — Reference diagram for Mission 1. Match it to the supplied component card and actual parts before wiring. · Tap to enlarge

Mission 1 — source manual diagram 2 — Reference diagram for Mission 1. Match it to the supplied component card and actual parts before wiring. · Tap to enlarge

Mission 1 — source manual diagram 3 — Reference diagram for Mission 1. Match it to the supplied component card and actual parts before wiring. · Tap to enlarge

Mission 1 — source manual diagram 4 — Reference diagram for Mission 1. Match it to the supplied component card and actual parts before wiring. · Tap to enlarge

Mission 1 — source manual diagram 5 — Reference diagram for Mission 1. Match it to the supplied component card and actual parts before wiring. · Tap to enlarge

Mission 1 — source manual diagram 6 — Reference diagram for Mission 1. Match it to the supplied component card and actual parts before wiring. · Tap to enlarge

Read the detailed lesson

Read along

Wake the board and make light obey your code. Use the materials list, build steps and complete code on this page. The component card tells you the correct orientation and power connections for your supplied parts.

Open the complete Arduino code

Copy the complete code into Arduino IDE or download the sketch. Follow the matching component card before connecting power.

// FIRST WONDER - MISSION 1: MAKE THE BOARD SAY HELLO
// Upload the working file first. Change only values approved in the manual.
const int blinkTime = 500;

// SETUP - runs once after upload.
void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}

// LOOP - repeats while the board is powered.
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);
  delay(blinkTime);
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);
  delay(blinkTime);
}

BUILD PATH

STEP 1 OF 6

Connect the supplied data cable and select Arduino Uno…

Try · Notice · ExplainRead the checkpoint, make a prediction, then test your idea.

Connect the supplied data cable and select Arduino Uno + correct port.