The program we used for our project was Scratch. We used Scratch because audio was central to our project. The code was structured so that the LED lights would turn on while the audio is playing, then turn off when the audio was done. The code was more a matter of timing rather than inputs and outputs as there is only one input: the phone being picked up, which acts as the catalyst for the code.
For this project, we wanted to display both our coding and artistic abilities. We started with a blank white 20’’ by 30’’ poster paper. First, we sketched out a map of the continents with pencil and then we painted in each continent using acrylic and poster paints. Next, we drilled holes into six different locations that correlate with the origins of the languages being spoken in our recording. This is where we placed the LED lights.
Along with the hummingbird, we used six LED lights (to correspond with the six languages) and one light sensor. We used the LED lights to add an engaging visual aspect to our project and the light sensor to add an interactive touch.
Finally, we built a stand for the poster to prop it up, and to stow the hardware behind. For this, we used a flat slim piece of wood for the base and then hot glued on two thin strips of wood on top. We also hot glued on a very slim stick of wood at the front of the wood to prevent the poster from sliding off the stand.