Maker Camp Glossary

3D Printing: The printing of objects rather than paper; the action or process of making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many thin layers of a material in succession.

acceleration: The rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time. An object’s acceleration is the net result of any and all forces acting on the object, as described by Newton’s Second Law.

accelerometer: Devices that measure acceleration, which is the rate of change of the velocity of an object. They measure in meters per second squared (m/s²) or in G-forces (g). A single G-force for us here on planet Earth is equivalent to 9.8 m/s², but this does vary slightly with elevation. Accelerometers are useful for sensing vibrations in systems or for orientation applications.

acids: Any chemical compound that, when dissolved in water, produces a solution with a hydronium cation activity greater than pure water, that is, a pH less than 7.

actuators: An inherently mechanical device whose function is to provide force to move or “act” on another mechanical device.

adhesion: The property of matter by which two surfaces of the same or different substances join and form when they come into contact, and are held together by intermolecular forces.

aerodynamics: The study of the motion of air, particularly its interaction with a solid object, such as an airplane wing.

ampere: The base unit of electric current in the International System of Units (SI).

Arduino: Arduino is a free software and hardware development company, as well as an international community that designs and manufactures hardware development boards to build digital devices and interactive devices that can detect and control real-world objects. Learn more.

array: A finite collection of data of the same type, which is stored in consecutive memory locations and receives a common name. It is a type of structured data that allows storing a homogeneous set of data, that is, all of them of the same type and related.

axis: An imaginary line about which a body rotates; a fixed reference line for the measurement of coordinates.

axle: A rod or spindle (either fixed or rotating) passing through the center of a wheel or group of wheels.

base: A solution that has the ability to neutralize acids.

battery: A power source for a circuit. It stores electricity, generated by a chemical reaction inside the battery. Batteries come in different sizes and voltages. Learn more.

bool: Has one of two values, true or false.

bug: A flaw in design or execution, often referring to an error in computer code.

capillary action: The movement of water within the spaces of a porous material, due to adhesion forces and surface tension.

caster: Any of a set of wheels or rotating balls mounted in a swivel frame and used for the support and movement of a vehicle.

chassis: The body of an automobile or rover.

chemical reactions: Chemical bonds between atoms are broken and new bonds are formed. Two types of substances are involved in this process: those that we initially have and know as reactants and those that are obtained after the chemical reaction, called products.

circuit: A circuit is a loop made up of different components — like your LED — that allows electricity to flow.

CNC: The automated control of machining tools (drills, boring tools, lathes) by means of a computer. An NC machine alters a blank piece of material (metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, or composite) to meet precise specifications by following programmed instructions and without a manual operator.

coding: The collection of alphanumeric characters in certain computing languages to produce software, including apps, games, and web design.

computer: A device that can be instructed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically via computer programming. Modern computers have the ability to follow generalized sets of operations, called programs. These programs enable computers to perform an extremely wide range of tasks. A “complete” computer including the hardware, the operating system (main software), and peripheral equipment required and used for “full” operation can be referred to as a computer system. This term may as well be used for a group of computers that are connected and work together, in particular a computer network or computer cluster.

computer-aided design: (CAD) is the use of computer systems (or workstations) to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. CAD output is often in the form of electronic files for print, machining, or other manufacturing operations. 

computer-aided manufacturing: (CAM) is the use of software to control machine tools and related ones in the manufacturing of workpieces. CAM may also refer to the use of a computer to assist in all operations of a manufacturing plant, including planning, management, transportation, and storage.

concave lenses: Lenses that are thick at the edges with thickness that progressively decreases as you get closer to the center, causing the light rays that pass through them to separate.

conductors: Materials, like many metals, that lets electrical current flow freely.

convex or converging lenses: Lenses that are thick in the center and taper progressively closer to the edges. When light passes through this type of lens, it converges (coalesces) at a certain point.

current: A stream of charged particles, such as electrons, moving through an electrical conductor. It is measured in amperes, or amps. Learn more.

DC motor: A class of rotary electrical motors that converts direct current (DC) electrical energy into mechanical energy.

#define: It is a useful C ++ component that allows the programmer to name a constant value before compiling the program. The constants defined in Arduino do not take up program memory space on the chip. The compiler will replace references to these constants with the value defined at compile time.

delay: Pauses the program for the time (in milliseconds) specified as a parameter. (There are 1000 milliseconds in a second.)

design: Strategic decisions for a specific purpose–project-based learning, for example.

digitalWrite: Write a HIGH or LOW value to a digital pin. Its voltage will be set to the corresponding value: 5V (or 3.3V on 3.3V boards) for HIGH, 0V (ground) for LOW.

diode: An electronic component with two terminals that allows the circulation of electric current through it in one direction only, blocking the passage if the current flows in the opposite direction.

distance sensor: A component that collects data based on how close or far you are to the sensor.

DIY: Do-It-Yourself.

DIT: Do-It-Together; collaborate.

e-textile or electronic textiles: Fabrics that enable electronic components such as batteries, lights, sensors, and microcontrollers to be embedded in them.

flow: A mental state characterized by autonomy, creativity, and full cognitive immersion.

focal length: Indicates the angle of view, that is, how much of the scene will be captured, and the magnification, how large the individual elements will be. The longer the focal length, the narrower the angle of view and the higher the magnification.

fold: Join the ends of a flexible object or apply one over the other two parts of a flexible object.

force: Strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement.

fossil: A dead organic substance that has been petrified by chemical and geological processes and is found in the ancient sedimentary deposits of the earth’s crust.

function: A section of a program that calculates a value independently from the rest of the program Functions are a widely used element in programming. They package and ‘isolate’ from the rest of the program a piece of code that performs some specific task.

hack: to strategically probe, analyze, break, or hi-jack; a revision of existing software or hardware to make it perform in a way other than it was designed.

hackerspace: a digital or physical space where one or more hackers adjust existing designs for a variety of purposes.

if: An if in programming is used to evaluate a conditional expression: if the condition is met (it is true), it will execute a block of code. If it is false, it is possible to execute other statements.

insulators: Materials, like glass, rubber, or plastic, that resist the flow of electricity. 

int: The main data type for storing numbers.

interface: How/where a user interacts with software or hardware.

Internet of Things (IoT): Describes physical objects (or groups of such objects) with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks.

invent: To create something that didn’t exist before

iterate: To update a design—e.g., with new features, functions, elegance, etc.

laser cutting: A fabrication process that uses a thin, focused, laser beam to cut and etch materials into custom designs, patterns, and shapes as specified by a designer. This non-contact, thermal-based fabrication process is ideal for several materials, including wood, glass, paper, metal, plastic, and gemstone. It’s also capable of producing intricate parts without needing a custom-designed tool.

LED: LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. They turn electricity into light. Like your battery, LEDs are polarized so they have a positive and negative side. On a regular LED the long lead is the positive side. On the LED chip, the red is the positive side. Most LEDs required 1.7 to 3.3 volts of power. Learn more about LEDs.

libraries: The Arduino environment can be expanded through the use of libraries, just like most programming platforms. Libraries provide additional functionality for your use of your programs, for example working with hardware or manipulating data.

light sensor: A component that collects data based on how much light surrounds the sensor.

linear actuator: An actuator that creates motion in a straight line, in contrast to the circular motion of a conventional electric motor.

make: To move from design to product; to build, craft, conjure, code, or otherwise manifest.

makerspace: A garage space, classroom corner, workbench, design lab, or other area where the actual physical construction of designs occur.

maker tape: Maker Tape has nylon fibers combined with conductive materials that result in a strong and highly conductive tape that turns any surface into a circuitry project. Maker Tape comes with a plastic backing that you need to remove to stick it to your project. Only remove a little at a time, as you need it because the tape can stick to itself. You will need scissors to cut your tape. Learn more. 

Makey Makey: An invention kit designed to connect everyday objects to computer keys. Using a circuit board, alligator clips, and a USB cable, the toy uses closed-loop electrical signals to send the computer either a keyboard stroke or mouse click signal. This function allows the Makey Makey to work with any computer program or webpage that accepts keyboard or mouse click. Learn more.

mechanism: A set of pieces or elements that, adjusted to each other and using mechanical energy, do a job or fulfill a function.

micro:bit: A pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that, when programmed, let it interact with the world. The new micro:bit with sound adds a built-in microphone and speaker, as well as an extra touch input button and a power button. Learn more.

microcontroller: A microcontroller is a programmable integrated circuit, capable of executing the orders recorded in its memory. It is composed of several functional blocks that fulfill a specific task.

microscope: A tool that allows observing objects that are too small to be observed with the naked eye. The most common type and the first that was invented is the optical microscope composed of lenses, which form and magnify the image of the object that is being observed.

motion: In physics, motion is the phenomenon in which an object changes its position over time. Motion is mathematically described in terms of displacement, distance, velocity, acceleration, speed, and time.

movement: Action of moving changing the place or position of a body in space.

neutralizing reactions: A neutralization reaction is one in which an acid reacts with a base. In the reaction a salt is formed and in most cases water is formed.

paleontologists: Help to form the history of life, that is, with their studies carried out in excavations they carry out an investigation of organic remains that shows them what life was like, the climate, the environment, etc. centuries ago.

pager disc motor: This type of small, flat motor has no external parts and instead uses a spring inside to create the movement. They are often used to create a “haptic” effect in game controllers because they turn on and off quickly. Learn more about this type of motor.

parallel circuit: In a parallel circuit, each component is wired back to the battery in its own loop. Learn more.

pH: The abbreviation of hydrogen potential, it is a parameter that indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions [H] + that exist in a solution. In other words, it is a unit of measurement that indicates the degree of acidity of a solution. PH values ​​vary on a scale from 0 to 14.

pin: In electronics, it is called a pin, an English word that means “plug”, to the terminal or pin of each of the metal contacts of a connector or of a component made of an electrically conductive material.

pinMode: Sets the specified pin to behave as an input or an output.

prototype: A rough first draft. A prototype can be a drawing or a small model.

rapid prototyping: The approach of design through refinement; creating an often crude alpha model for the purpose of testing; this approach is characterized by a fast development cycle and long-term iteration, rather than extended development leading towards a production-ready product.

resistance: The electrical resistance of an object is a measure of its opposition to the flow of electric current. Learn more.

reuse: To reuse something, generally with a different function than the one it originally had.

reverse engineering: The discovery of design thinking and function through the analysis—and sometimes deconstruction—of existing functioning models; unbuilding stuff to see how it’s made.

roots: The organ belonging to plants that is introduced into the earth or in a different body to absorb the substances necessary for the plant to grow and develop.

rotary actuator: An actuator that produces a rotary motion or torque.

runner-type video games: The concept of these games is as follows: a character moves non-stop on an ‘endless’ track, while dodging various obstacles.

salt dough: A modeling material, made of flour, salt, and water. It can be used to make ornaments and sculptures.

sediment: A solid material accumulated on the earth’s surface derived from the actions of phenomena and processes that act in the atmosphere, in the hydrosphere, and in the biosphere. Sediments can remain stable for long periods, even millions of years, until they consolidate into rocks.

sensors: A device that is capable of detecting external actions or stimuli and responding accordingly. These devices can transform physical or chemical quantities into electrical quantities.

series circuit: A series circuit means that the components are connected along a single path. Learn more.

servo: Short for servomechanism or servomotor. A servomotor is a rotary actuator or linear actuator that allows for precise control of angular or linear position, velocity and acceleration. It consists of a suitable motor coupled to a sensor for position feedback.

soldering: A process in which two or more items are joined together by melting and putting a filler metal into the joint, the filler metal having a lower melting point than the adjoining metal. Unlike welding, soldering does not involve melting the work pieces.

speed: The speed (commonly referred to as v) of an object is the magnitude of the rate of change of its position with time or the magnitude of the change of its position per unit of time.

state of matter: In physics, a state of matter is one of the distinct forms in which matter can exist. Four states of matter are observable in everyday life: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

stem: The organ that supports the leaves, flowers, and fruits. Its main functions are to support and transport photosynthates between roots and leaves.

switches: In circuit diagrams, a switch is drawn as a “door” that opens and closes the circuit. Switches come in many different shapes and forms and can be found in every device with electricity. There are two main types of switches: maintained switches that stay the way you left them in and momentary switches that only work when you’re pressing on them. Your battery pack has a small maintained switch on it that turns the pack on and off. Learn more about switches or learn about switch logic.

tilt switch: A tilt switch opens and closes an electrical circuit based on its angle. Your tilt switch is a “ball-in-cage” switch. When you hold the switch vertically the metal ball inside touches the conductive end, closing the circuit. This means you can control your LED by the direction the switch is tilted. A tilt switch is a momentary switch and is not directional. 

tinker: The playful and curious interaction between a maker and their ‘things’.

threshold: The magnitude or intensity that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, phenomenon, result, or condition to occur or be manifested; the cut-off point.

torque: A twisting force that tends to cause rotation.

variables: In programming, a variable is made up of a space in the storage system and a symbolic name that is associated with said space. That space contains a known or unknown amount of information.

velocity: the directional speed of an object in motion as an indication of its rate of change in position as observed from a particular frame of reference and as measured by a particular standard of time.

vibrating motor: This tiny DC (direct current) motor has an external shaft with an unbalanced weight on it. When that weight is rotated it wobbles, creating vibrations. They are often used in cellphones and electric toothbrushes to make them vibrate. Learn more about this type of motor.

void: The “void” keyword is used only in function declarations. Indicates that the function is not expected to return information to the function from which it was called

void loop: After creating a setup () function, which initializes and sets initial values, the loop () function does just what its name suggests and repeats consecutively, allowing your program to change and respond. Use it to actively control the Arduino board.

void setup: The setup () function is called when a sketch begins. Use it to initialize variables, pin modes, start using libraries, etc. The setup () function will only run once, after every power-up or reboot of the Arduino board.

voltage: The electrical potential of a power source. You can think of it as a kind of electrical pressure created by the battery. You must match the voltage of your power source to the voltage of what you are powering. Learn more.

wearable technology: Wearable technology, wearables, fashion technology, smartwear, tech togs, streetwear tech, skin electronics or fashion electronics are smart electronic devices (electronic device with micro-controllers) that are worn close to and/or on the surface of the skin, where they detect, analyze, and transmit information concerning e.g. body signals such as vital signs, and/or ambient data and which allow in some cases immediate biofeedback to the wearer.

welding: A fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool, causing fusion.

wheel: A circular object that revolves on an axle and is fixed below a vehicle or other object to enable it to move easily over the ground.

xylem: A conductive plant tissue that supplies fluids from one part of vascular plants to another. It carries water, mineral salts, and other nutrients from the roots to the leaves of the plants.