When I was in high school, I went to a summer program at a tech school for kids with high PSAT scores. We got to pick different science projects and got training on how to complete them.
I chose building a dedicated computer to control a light board -- a bunch of x-mas lights attached to a wooden structure shaped like a starfish. I was taught a bit about different types of chips, and I was given a "board" full of little holes where I could push in the chips and they'd lock in place (no soldering), and then I could also run wires between the holes, also no soldering, from pin to pin.
I figured what chips I needed, did a schematic for how to wire it up, and then built it. It was maybe 10 inches by 10 inches. I also went to a lecture on assembly language, and learned enough to write an assembly program that controlled the light board so they would light up in all sorts of symmetrical patterns, (in to out, out to in, spiral, etc.). I wrote out my program on a computer, and one of the instructors put it onto one of the chips from my board, and then we hooked it up and it worked. Eventually. Some time was spent tracking down initial errors in the wiring and program.
It was a fun time, my science project got second place behind a hovercraft. I didn't pursue computers as a career. That was decades ago.
I've been looking into building my own computer (a real computer), and it brought back memories of that experience. I was thinking, as a hobby, it might be fun to find those kind of "snap in" boards for chips, learn some more about that. I know I've forgotten most of what I knew back then, and technology has advanced, but I'm up for the challenge.
I was wondering if there are hobby kits you can buy that have snap-in boards and assorted chips and stuff, for doing the kind of science project I did back then. Does anyone know about that, or know the correct name for that type of "snap in" circuit board?
Ken
I chose building a dedicated computer to control a light board -- a bunch of x-mas lights attached to a wooden structure shaped like a starfish. I was taught a bit about different types of chips, and I was given a "board" full of little holes where I could push in the chips and they'd lock in place (no soldering), and then I could also run wires between the holes, also no soldering, from pin to pin.
I figured what chips I needed, did a schematic for how to wire it up, and then built it. It was maybe 10 inches by 10 inches. I also went to a lecture on assembly language, and learned enough to write an assembly program that controlled the light board so they would light up in all sorts of symmetrical patterns, (in to out, out to in, spiral, etc.). I wrote out my program on a computer, and one of the instructors put it onto one of the chips from my board, and then we hooked it up and it worked. Eventually. Some time was spent tracking down initial errors in the wiring and program.
It was a fun time, my science project got second place behind a hovercraft. I didn't pursue computers as a career. That was decades ago.
I've been looking into building my own computer (a real computer), and it brought back memories of that experience. I was thinking, as a hobby, it might be fun to find those kind of "snap in" boards for chips, learn some more about that. I know I've forgotten most of what I knew back then, and technology has advanced, but I'm up for the challenge.
I was wondering if there are hobby kits you can buy that have snap-in boards and assorted chips and stuff, for doing the kind of science project I did back then. Does anyone know about that, or know the correct name for that type of "snap in" circuit board?
Ken
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