DanceMania

The Project

All around us, there are opportunities to play and be active but with technology all around us, people are starting to become less active. Instead of going outside to play sports or run around, people play with their phones, tvs or video games. The COVID-19 virus has only made things worse as people’s ability to go out has been limited. Not exercising can cause many problems such as increased stress and bad health, so how can we change it? We wanted to make something that is easy, healthy, social, inclusive, creative, and most importantly fun! Dancing is easy to do, inclusive, good for your health, allows you to be social, and most importantly, it is fun! Most people, especially children, enjoy dancing. We wanted our solution to let people dance anywhere, anytime and with anyone! We created a prototype using Arduino Leonardo and Scratch which only costs $30 (Arduino Leonardo $15, Wood Panels $10, Electrical wires $2, Copper tape $3). Commercially available similar products costs upwards of $150. So how does the Arduino fit into our dance mat? Well, when we step on the dance mat, it sends a signal to the Arduino, and the Arduino translates that into a keystroke on the computer. But, how did this happen? Well, the secret sauce is behind the panel. There is copper tape behind each panel and when you step on it (or it gets pressed) it connects the copper, and acts like switch that turns on which the Arduino picks up. Our Prototype Scratch App https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/483198696/ A Few Things We Want To Achieve In The Future Are: - Bluetooth support with Arduino and more portable material - A fully functioning app with the ability to connect and play with others - Creating instructions for a D.I.Y. kit so everyone can make their own! We thank our experts Ms. Lorraine Underwood and Mr. Andy Clark from the United Kingdom.

View this project on YouTube