Paul Sutton – personal blog
STEM GROUP Write up 13/1/2024
One of the projects we are trying to do at the STEM group and to a point at Code Club is to build a small robot car. The video below is one we are following.
We spent most of Saturday working on this and a similar car. There are a few issues that have arisen from this, but we are working our way around these.
We will carry on at Code Club on 20/1/2024. In room 10 with normal code club activities in the IT learning centre.
Trojans Training 14/1/2024
Torbay Trojans Training
So the first training session of 2024 is tomorrow, hopefully we can keep building, improving and developing the team.
We are always looking for new players to help build the team. Experience playing football not needed. Anyone over 18 is welcome as we are an Adult team.
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Code Club Electronics 19
I have built a basic potentiometer controlled motor, this works quite well, just a little sensitve. But should be fine for what I need this for.
Video
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Trojans Training 7/1/2024
Torbay Trojans Training
So the first training session of 2024 is tomorrow, hopefully we can keep building, improving and developing the team.
We are always looking for new players to help build the team. Experience playing football not needed. Anyone over 18 is welcome as we are an Adult team.
Tags
Code Club 6/1/2024 Write up
So we had a busy session today, the Viglen PC I took down is now tested and working, we just need to put it all back together fully.
The Motherboard we had in the STEM cupboard is also now tested and working, so we need a case for this so we can put it all together, install an OS and start using it.
We also had a look at a DIY F1 car project that one of the attendees wants to try and build. We need a few more parts for this, but with help, the project is doable.
Also did the more coding, in Scratch and Python.
Photos
Useful Links
Next Code Club
The next code club is 20/1/2024 : 10am to 12:00 Next week 13/1/2024 is the STEM group 11 to 15:00
Tags
#CodeClub,#Python,#HourOfCode,#Scratch,#Minecraft,#Themes, #Java,#Programmng
Code Club Electronics 18
I was intending to use a potentiometer to control the motor speed, however using an arduino seems rather overkill for this. So I will just do that directly.
I decided to build a car instead, so far this has 2 wheels and just goes forward.
#include <AFMotor.h>
AF_DCMotor motorA(3);
AF_DCMotor motorB(4);
/*
* Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com
*
* This example code is in the public domain
*
* Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-potentiometer
*/
// the setup routine runs once when you press reset:
void setup() {
// initialize serial communication at 9600 bits per second:
//Serial.begin(9600);
motorA.setSpeed(100);
motorA.run(RELEASE);
motorB.setSpeed(100);
motorB.run(RELEASE);
}
// the loop routine runs over and over again forever:
void loop() {
//Motor spinning clockwise
motorA.run(FORWARD);
//Speed up
motorA.setSpeed(100);
motorB.run(FORWARD);
//Speed up
motorB.setSpeed(100);
}
Free Code Camp Jan 2024
Learn modern Front-End Development with the powerful React JavaScript library. This in-depth course is taught by software engineer and prolific freeCodeCamp contributor, Hitesh Choudhary. He'll teach you the fundamental structure of React apps, including Hooks, Virtual DOM, React Router, Redux Toolkit, the Context API, and more. You'll also apply these tools by building several projects along the way. (12 hour YouTube course): https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/comprehensive-full-stack-react-with-appwrite-tutorial/
And if you want to go beyond React and learn full-stack JavaScript, freeCodeCamp contributor Chris Blakely has created an entire roadmap for skills you should learn. This roadmap focuses on the MERN Stack: MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js, which many popular web apps use – including freeCodeCamp itself. If you're new to web dev, this will give you a broad overview of what you'll want to prioritize learning. (40 minute read): https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/mern-stack-roadmap-what-you-need-to-know-to-build-full-stack-apps/
Software Development as a field is always changing. I like to say that the key skill developers possess is not coding itself, but rather the ability to learn quickly. This book will help you think like a developer, so you can pick up new tools, solve new problems, and keep blazing forward as a dev. (full-length book): https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/creators-guide-to-innovation-book/
Developer job interviews are not just about coding. There's a significant portion dedicated to the “behavioral interview.” This course will show you what to expect and how to prepare for it – through example questions and case studies. It's a time-efficient way to gear up for a successful run of interviews. (2 hour YouTube course): https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/mastering-behavioral-interviews-for-software-developers/
The #100DaysOfCode challenge is an ideal New Year's Resolution for anyone wanting to expand their developer skills. Each year, thousands of ambitious people commit to this simple challenge: code at least 1 hour each day for 100 days in a row, and support other people who are doing the same. I've written this guide to how you can get started and make some serious gains in 2024. (5 minute read): https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/100daysofcode-challenge-2024-discord/
Finally, my friends Jess and Ramón are starting a new cohort of their freely available bootcamp on Monday, January 8. You can join them and work through both freeCodeCamp's Responsive Web Design certification and our new project-oriented JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures certification. This is a great way to expand your skills alongside a kind, supportive community. (5 minute read): https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/free-webdev-and-js-bootcamps/
2024 is off to a strong start for the freeCodeCamp community. We built so many open learning resources last year, and now we're building on that momentum. We're finishing development of Version 7.0 of our core curriculum. And we're making steady progress toward our full-blown computer science degree program. If you are not yet supporting our charity and our mission, please do so. Every little bit helps us with this ambitious undertaking: https://www.freecodecamp.org/donate
Code Club : Netbook overclocking
In an attempt to improve the performance of some of the netbooks at Code Club, one of the members has been over clocking them. This improves speed and performance. There are some details here along with a video here which help to illustrate the process further.
On the subject of performance, some of the batteries are now showing their age, so I have been looking some and found what could be the right battery
I may have also found a source for new power supplies, so will update this post in due course.
NFL 2023 week 18
We have reached the last week of the regular season.
NFL week 18 fixtures can be found here
Links
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STEM Group 13th Jan 2024
The first stem group meeting of 2024 will take place on STEM Group 13th Jan 2024. Following on from last month, we are going to carry on working on various robot cars and other projects.
My Arduino powered obstacle avoiding robot is now fixed, thanks to Helen, D. So hopefully we will get a demonstration of this too.
I have made various Arduino related blog posts if anyone is interested.
There will also be an update on the Torbay Tinkerers group from Vance and Helen. This is an adult group and will be separate from the STEM Group, but members can meet up at the STEM group, but also meet elsewhere too.