Digital Nightlight
A Pico on a breadboard with a button, two potentiometers, a power switch, and a photoresistor, so the LED strip shows a pattern only when the room is dark.
Digital Nightlight
Key Features
- Uses the 10K Potentiometer
- Uses the LDR Photoresistor
- Uses the Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040
- Uses the WS2812B NeoPixels
Key Benefits
- Free, open lessons. The Moving Rainbow textbook has the kit page, wiring, and MicroPython code.
- Classroom friendly. Built on a solderless breadboard or no-solder connectors.
- Real-world data. Students read sensors and turn measurements into decisions.
- Budget. About $16 (estimate: the $15 Moving Rainbow base parts plus two potentiometers and a photoresistor, each about $1 or less).
Parts
| Part (price) | Role |
| Raspberry Pi Pico ($4) | Microcontroller |
| 10K Potentiometer | Input knob |
| LDR Photoresistor | Sensor |
| WS2812B NeoPixels | LEDs |
| 830-Point Breadboard ($1.10) | Breadboard |
| Micro-USB Data Cable ($2.50) | Power and programming cable |
Microcontroller listed first. Prices shown only where known; see the source book for quantities, wiring, and current prices.
About this kit: From the Moving Rainbow collection.
Source: Moving Rainbow
Source: Moving Rainbow