Arduino Design Course (Part 3)
The Journey of Digital Tubes
Course Introduction
When numbers dance gracefully with light and shadow on the circuit board, digital tubes compose a brilliant visual poem of electronic magic. In the galaxy of electronic creativity, digital tubes serve as glowing cipher books, transforming numerical language into the rhythmic dance of light. On March 28, 2025, at the second affiliated middle school of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 30 sixth-grade electronic wizards, guided by the faculty of the School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, embarked on the third chapter of the “Journey of Digital Tubes”.
This course unlocks the door to the digital world using the Arduino programming language. The teachers from Jiao Tong University guide the students through a rhythmic code demonstration, leading them through the magical forest of keywords, syntax symbols, and program structures. As the class focuses on the “digital tube,” the entire laboratory seems to pulse with vibrant electronic energy—an “8” shaped light array woven from 8 light-emitting diodes, composing lines of light poetry with 8 digital ports. Through vivid explanations, the differences in wiring for common cathode and common anode are transformed into two flowing streams of light, as students occasionally ponderously sketch circuit diagrams in their notebooks, while at other times excitedly gesture with components to their neighbors.
The practical session brings the class to a climax of light and shadow. When 8 1KΩ resistors and an 8-segment digital tube stand in formation on the breadboard, and the dual-digit digital tube awakens in the starlit web of jumper wires, the entire laboratory transforms into a creative workshop of electronic art. Students hold their breath as they debug the code, witnessing the digital rhythms they have written flowing across the light array—from 0 to 9 in a loop, while the dual-digit digital tube displays a cascading waterfall of light from 00 to 99. At one moment, when a group of students experiences flickering due to wiring errors, the teacher timely guides everyone, and this unexpected episode turns abstract theory into tangible experience.
In this afternoon of intertwined light and shadow, even the most lively and active children transform into focused electronic poets, their sparkling eyes reflecting the light points of the digital tubes, as the code dancing at their fingertips weaves a fairy tale of the digital age. When we see students spontaneously trying to make the light array perform a “digital waltz,” we know that the magic of this class has quietly taken root—the Arduino design course is not only about imparting technology but also about allowing young people to touch the starlight of the future with their own hands.
Student Reflections
Class 4, Zhu Xiuduo
In these two classes, we learned about the application of infrared rays under the guidance of our teacher. During the study of Arduino, although the code was long and the wiring complicated, seeing the “thank you” prompt pop up on the computer always brings joy due to the hard-earned success, making the previous practice feel meaningful. When I pressed the remote control and the computer displayed a series of numbers, I felt happy and excited. Arduino is undoubtedly interesting; it brings innovation in practice and a sense of achievement after success. Let us not forget our original intention to explore and carry it through.
Class 4, Luo Weizhi
Today’s Arduino class taught me how to use and connect infrared sensors and infrared remote controls. We also engaged in hands-on practice. Before the practical session, the teacher carefully explained the working principle and connection structure of the infrared sensor. During the practical session, although the system frequently popped up “thank you,” we could still taste the flavor of failure and the joy of success after continuous attempts. I believe that through this class, we can better understand the mysteries of the Arduino development board.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Second Middle School
Website: http://www.jd2fz.sjtu.edu.cn
WeChat ID: shjd2fz
