Science Article

The Arduino board is an open source programmable microcontroller used around the world by hobbyists and in educational settings. It works with any computer that runs on Windows, Linux, or OS X operating systems.

Arduino projects are popular for tinkering and rapid prototyping, as the board enables interactions between the computer, humans, and the environment.

Programming Arduino

The Arduino board uses software known as the Integrated Development Environment (IDE). This software allows a user to create programs (called “sketches”) in the processing computer language and upload them to the board to be carried out.

SEED and the Arduino

With the Arduino, SEED students learn how robotics and programmable systems can be used for creative problem solving. During collaborative workshops, for example, students can use the Arduino to create projects that model solutions to theme-related problems. For example, a student working on energy efficiency can create a programmable system for a home so that a cooling or heating vent will open when the temperature reaches a certain level.

Here are some informative and helpful Arduino resources to get you started (in English only). Resources in Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish are also available.

Tutorials

Many different types of online tutorials and guides are available to help beginners to get started.

• Getting Started with Arduino
  The home page for the Arduino guide links to more detailed instructions on how to use the board, installing for different operating systems, and troubleshooting.
• Arduino Examples
  The Arduino Web site provides a tutorial, with examples of how to work the board.
• Arduino Tutorials: JeremyBlum.com
  The blog of electrical engineer Jeremy Blum provides four Arduino tutorials for new users.
• Arduino Classroom
  This Web site devoted to Arduino users includes tutorials, a forum for discussion, and a blog.
• Arduino Tutorial: ladyada.net
  Ladyada outlines lesson plans and tools needed to get started with the Arduino.
• Tronixstuff: Arduino Tutorials
  The Australian Web site focused on electronics includes extensive Arduino tutorials.

Community

The Arduino community is well-known for members helping each other through various forums.

• Arduino Forum
  The Arduino Web site hosts a forum for users.
• Element 14: Arduino forum
  The electronics and robotics online community Element 14 hosts an Arduino forum.
• Arduino Community: Google+
  Google+ hosts an Arduino community that includes tutorials, project showcases, and discussions.
• Arduino: Reddit
  Reddit hosts an Arduino discussion site.Arduino boards and peripheral devices are available from several different sources.

Where to Buy Arduino

• Arduino Store
  The Arduino store sells kits, supplies, and books for the Arduino.
• Sparkfun Electronics: Arduino Products
  The online electronics retailer sells a variety of Arduino supplies.
• Mouser Electronics: Arduino Boards
  Many different parts are available for Arduino boards at online electronics retailer Mouser.
• Arduino Accessories: RobotShop
  The international electronics supplier sells many different parts and accessories for Arduino.

Schematics

Arduino users must be able to understand circuit diagrams.

• Instructables: How to read circuit diagrams
  Detailed instructions on how to read circuit diagrams are provided on this Web page.
• How-to Geek: Introduction to reading electronic schematics 
  A video tutorial helps you understand schematics.