# 5: Passion Is Contagious

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2013-06-13
- Length: 1h 00m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-13-5-passion-is-contagious
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/mes-ep5-mp3

## Summary

Akkana Peck joins Elecia White to discuss her long-standing volunteer work teaching high school girls embedded systems through the GetSET summer camp program. They detail the specific curriculum, including using Arduino Uno boards, breadboards, sensors like photoresistors and accelerometers, and the challenges of teaching concepts like debouncing and analog vs. digital inputs. Peck also shares her experience building custom, low-cost H-bridge motor shields to control robotic cars, highlighting the difficulties of power management and the safety risks associated with lithium polymer batteries in a classroom setting.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-13-5-passion-is-contagious#t=6) Introduction to GetSET and Arduino Workshop
- [11:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-13-5-passion-is-contagious#t=680) Teaching Methodology and Breadboard Basics
- [24:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-13-5-passion-is-contagious#t=1471) Sensors, Inputs, and Analog vs Digital Concepts
- [29:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-13-5-passion-is-contagious#t=1743) Building the Photo-Theremin Circuit
- [42:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-13-5-passion-is-contagious#t=2560) Challenges with Robotic Cars and Motor Shields
- [50:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-13-5-passion-is-contagious#t=3026) Volunteering, Debugging, and Program Logistics

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Arduino (product)
- GetSET (other)
- Society of Women Engineers (company)
- H-bridge (chip)
- Code Checks (company)
- Mattel (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

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- [The Spark Gap - Episode 44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-12-25-the-spark-gap-episode-44) (The Spark Gap)
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- [Ep 256: 0, 256, 400, 100, and 10000000](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-02-09-ep-256-0-256-400-100-and-10000000) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-13-5-passion-is-contagious. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.