Catalyst Grant Final Report
“Build an Arduino Eclipse Monitor”
Please provide a brief narrative explaining your project and its outcomes.
During this seven-session class, participants were taught how to design, build and deploy an eclipse monitoring device using the Arduino Uno single board computer. Working in pairs over the course of the first 5 sessions (March 5, 12, 19, 26, 30), four families (5 adults and 3 teens) constructed the hardware for the monitoring devices using an Arduino Uno, a photo-diode, servo motor, real time clock, digital display, and SD card module. Using some basic and intermediate level C++, participants then created a program capable of taking light-level readings from the photo-diode, recording those readings on a microSD card for later analysis, and displaying that information in real time by both updating the output of the LCD screen and moving the servo motor’s arm along a printed scale.
On Monday, April 8, all four families joined Onondaga Free Library staff at a nearby park to deploy their eclipse monitors and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event. The clouds parted at just the right moment to allow for a spectacular view of totality, while the eclipse monitors worked perfectly, recording valuable data throughout. On the following day, Tuesday, April 9, all four families returned to the library for the final session, where we reviewed and analyzed the data collected by the monitors.
Teaching four families, none of whom had any previous experience with electronics or computer programming, how to design, build, and deploy a functional eclipse monitoring device was incredibly rewarding. As noted in the narrative, if this program inspires even a few of them to go further and learn more about circuit design, micro-controller applications, computer programming, or data visualization, then it will have accomplished its true goal: to provide participants with a substantive foundation for future computer education and digital empowerment.
How did your project differ from what you originally proposed?
The final project aligned perfectly with what was originally proposed in the grant request. Even with the cloudy weather on eclipse day, we accomplished exactly what we set out to do and were able to record usable data on the duration and intensity of the eclipse.
Please provide a brief summary of your evaluation activities and/or results, if available.
No follow up evaluation was conducted. However, I can report that several of the program participants attended subsequent technology offerings here at Onondaga Free and seem genuinely interested in pursuing careers in computer science or a related field.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
Only my continued gratitude and appreciation for all that the entire CLRC team does to support projects like this. Once again, you’ve helped make a dream program come true.
Scott Lipkowitz
Assistant Director and Digital Services & Technology Librarian, Onondaga Free Library
Are you interested in applying for a Catalyst Grant? Check out the grant page for the rules & requirements!