"Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino boards are able to read inputs - light on a sensor, a finger on a button, or a Twitter message - and turn it into an output - activating a motor, turning on an LED, publishing something online. You can tell your board what to do by sending a set of instructions to the microcontroller on the board. To do so you use the Arduino programming language (based on C++), and the Arduino Software (IDE)." -- "What is Arduino?"
The GCC Library has purchased ten Arduino kits that not only include an Arduino but many different electronic components that will allow you to complete a variety of different projects (see images of kits and components below). In addition, the GCC Libraries also offer to help students purchase kits for Arduino projects they are interested in pursuing. See the Arduino projects page for details.
For more information on getting started, check out the Arduino website, check out the Arduino Guide, or view some of the videos below:
Unlike Raspberry Pi's or your standard computer, there is no operating system for the Arduino. Instead, to program your Arduino, you will need to do so through a computer, connect your Arduino to this computer via a USB connector, then download the code your created on the computer to your Arduino. There are two methods that you can use to facilitate this process-- the Arduino IDE and the Web Editor. Both methods are explained below:
In addition to the Arduino Web Editor, users have the options to install Arduino onto their computers directly foregoing the need to go to a specific website to access Arduino editing tools. They can do this through the Arduino IDE. The Arduino Integrated Development Environment - or Arduino Software (IDE) - contains a text editor for writing code, a message area, a text console, a toolbar with buttons for common functions and a series of menus. It connects to the Arduino hardware to upload programs and communicate with them.
For information on installation, please see: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Windows
For information on navigating the IDE software, please see: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Environment
Another choice might be the Arduino Web Editor. Through this option, you will log into a website where you can store all of your sketches online. This option is great if you do not wish to do a lot of installations and it already includes many of the most popular Arduino libraries. That said, it is still recommended that you download the Create Plugin to your browser to connect to your Arduino board.
For more information on the Arduino Web Editor, please visit: https://docs.arduino.cc/cloud/web-editor/tutorials/getting-started/getting-started-web-editor
Above is a diagram of the major parts of the Elegoo Uno R3 board we have at the GCC Library. To learn more about this system, please check out the Elegoo Uno R3 datasheet, which explains each of these parts in detail...
Additionally, you can find additional documentation on the UNO R3 model through the Arduino website here: https://docs.arduino.cc/hardware/uno-rev3 This includes, a detailed pin layout that can be found here:
In addition to the Arduino, the GCC Library has also purchased a lot of starter materials to help aid with projects and fascilitate learning of the Arduino system. These include a variety of sensors and output mechanisms. The packages we purchased is called "The Most Complete Starter Kit Uno R3 Project". Please see a PDF and image of the contents of this kit below. Also included is a CD that contains a variety of projects to help you get started.
All guides are available under the CC-BY-NC-SA license.