Project Name: The RPI 2600 Creator: Jeff Robison, Charleston, network administration major Overview: Using a donated Atari 2600 and Xbox controller, Robison programmed a credit-card-sized, single-board computer known as a Raspberry Pi, which is now capable of running over 500 Atari games. “The most important thing I took from this class is that it is 100 percent handson learning. Looking things up in a book and memorizing notes simply do not exist in this lab. I spent the entire class studying by actually doing the projects and accomplishing things myself.” -Jeff Robison, Charleston
Project Name: Zen Toolworks CNC Machine Creators: Dean Howell, Mattoon, network administration certificate; Eric Spiker, Montrose, network administration major; and Jeff Robison, Charleston, network administration major Overview: The group created a computer numeric control (CNC) system that allows a user to design a drawing which is then milled into a piece of wood, foam, stone or metal using tolerances and consistencies that are much harder for humans to replicate. Using an Arduino board to communicate between all components, the group used software including SketchUp and MeshCAM to create and convert g-code language in order to direct the stepper motors to mill the design. “The best thing about this class is that it is anything but a typical classroom environment. It is a class that is limited only by one’s imagination. If you can dream a project up, you can probably make it in this class.” - Eric Spiker, Montrose
Project name: The Hexacopter Creator: Matt Pruemer, Effingham, network administration major Overview: This multicoper, six-propeller unit flies with a radio controller, but will have the ability to fly autonomous missions, once the system is perfected. Using a variety of equipment like a hexacopter frame, propellers, motors, electronic speed controllers, a power distribution board, magnetometer and GPS module to name a few, the hexicopter’s latest mission was flying over campus taking aerial footage of the grounds. “The best thing about this project was the feeling of success during its first successful flight after weeks of frustration.” -Matt Pruemer, Effingham
Project name: The Lake Land College Weather Station Creator: Tyler Terrell, Charleston, network administration major Overview: The LLC Weather Station provides the current weather conditions for the Lake Land College campus. Using software like EasyWeather and Cumulus, the two programs communicate in order to push the information to the Weather Underground (wunderground.com). Getting up-to-date weather conditions from LLC’s station ID: KILMATT03 is now convenient especially if you are located in a windowless classroom! “The open-lab style of this class allows students to jump around projects and learn a little bit of everything as well as things you probably weren’t initially comfortable with. Some of the things I learned may be random, but are very interesting and are things that I would not have leaned on my own time. It’s like giving a large amount of Legos to a child, only these Legos make noises and occasionally sound an alarm!” - Tyler Terrell, Charleston