Jared kicked our second day off with an overview of Mechatronics, a field that encompasses Mechanical, Electrical, and Computer Engineering as well as Control Theory. One tool frequently used by research scientists in this field is a microcontroller. We reviewed the components of a microcontroller and how a Basic Stamp is programmed. Following the lecture, we were given time to practice programming the Basic Stamp to do very simple tasks, such as using it to make basic calculations and print statements and variable values to the Debug window in decimal, binary, and hexadecimal.

After lunch, Jared explained the science behind and uses of diodes, whose many applications include use as rectifiers and voltage droppers. He also discussed LEDs and how to safely use them in a circuit using appropriate resistors. We then ventured back into the lab practice using the Basic Stamp to light and manipulate LEDs. By the end of the day, were able to use the Basic Stamp to control multiple LEDs simultaneously. We also figured out how to control a 7-segment LED-display to display numbers and letters. In terms of programming, we learned how to use FOR...NEXT and DO...LOOP to accomplish these tasks. It was a productive day!