Sri Lanka Arduino Challenge 2025 - Workshop 02
July 4, 2025 · 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM @ Online event
Description
The IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES) Student Branch Chapter of SLTC, in collaboration with Challenge Sphere 2025 – IEEE Sri Lanka Section, has proudly launched the Sri Lanka Arduino Challenge 2025, a nationwide initiative designed to empower young innovators through the powerful combination of Arduino and embedded systems. This year’s challenge is driven by a noble and forward-thinking theme: “Assisting People with a Disability.” This theme not only reflects technological advancement but also emphasizes social responsibility, inclusion, and empathy, the core values that drive the spirit of IEEE. Workshop 02 was successfully held on 04th July 2025, setting the stage for the challenge ahead and laying a strong foundation for future sessions. This workshop, conducted virtually via Zoom, brought together a vibrant group of participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, all unified by their enthusiasm for technology and innovation. The session began with a warm and professional welcome extended by the Moderator of the Media Unit of SLTC, who officially opened the workshop by inviting distinguished guests and participants. Following this, the Chairman of Arduino Challenge 2025, Mr. Semina Asala, addressed the gathering with an inspiring welcome speech. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of this challenge in nurturing talent, solving real-world problems, and contributing meaningfully to society through engineering and innovation. His words resonated deeply with the audience, creating a sense of purpose and unity among the attendees. A highlight of the event was the introduction of the keynote speaker of Workshop 02, Mr. Lasitha Jananjaya, who was warmly welcomed and given the honor of inaugurating the workshop. Mr. Lasitha, a seasoned expert in embedded systems and electronics, brought immense value to the session. His opening remarks offered a glimpse into his professional journey, instantly establishing rapport with the audience. He then provided a brief overview of the structure and objective of the workshop, creating a roadmap for what participants could expect. One of the most engaging segments of the session was the interactive quiz conducted via the Kahoot platform. This innovative approach not only added an element of excitement and competition but also served as a powerful tool to reinforce learning. Participants enthusiastically took part in the quiz, testing their knowledge on Arduino fundamentals and embedded systems. This interactive method elevated the workshop from a conventional lecture into an engaging and memorable learning experience. The technical content of Workshop 02 was meticulously curated to introduce participants to the foundational concepts of Arduino and its practical applications in electronic design. Mr. Lasitha began the core session by discussing the importance of Arduino in modern electronics, highlighting its accessibility, flexibility, and wide range of applications across industries. He elaborated on the differences between microcontrollers and microprocessors, helping participants understand the architectural significance and usage scenarios for each. The session delved deep into basic circuit design, where Mr. Lasitha explained the principles of analog and digital systems. Using real-world examples, he illustrated how simple electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, LEDs, and transistors can be combined to form functional circuits. The emphasis was placed on the Arduino UNO board, which serves as the cornerstone of many embedded system projects. Participants were guided through the board’s components, pin configuration, and key functionalities. In addition to hardware insights, significant attention was given to Arduino programming. Mr. Lasitha walked the audience through essential programming concepts including variable usage, conditional statements, loops, and input/output operations. Using simple yet effective code demonstrations, he showcased how real-world tasks such as blinking LEDs, reading sensor data, and controlling motors can be implemented using the Arduino IDE. These practical examples sparked curiosity and provided participants with the confidence to begin experimenting on their own. The discussion also touched on how embedded systems integrate with broader technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) and smart systems, a key area of interest in the modern electronics and industrial automation landscape. Participants were encouraged to explore further applications of Arduino in building assistive devices for people with disabilities, aligning directly with the overarching theme of this year’s challenge. Importantly, the workshop also provided an opportunity for the attendees to reflect on the social dimension of their work. As emphasized by the speakers, the goal of technology should not solely be innovation for its own sake, but rather innovation with impact. By focusing on assisting people with disabilities, the Sri Lanka Arduino Challenge 2025 aims to inspire participants to channel their skills towards compassionate design – creating systems that are not just smart, but meaningful. The virtual nature of the workshop did not hinder its success in any way. On the contrary, it allowed for broader participation from across the country, ensuring inclusivity and diversity among attendees. The session was characterized by lively interactions, thought-provoking questions, and a shared enthusiasm for learning. As the workshop drew to a close, a token of appreciation was presented virtually to Mr. Lasitha Jananjaya for his exceptional contribution. His insightful and interactive delivery left a lasting impression on the participants.The vote of thanks was delivered by Project Secretary Ms. Malshani Dissanayaka expressing heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and contributors. The workshop concluded on an optimistic note, with participants expressing their eagerness for Workshop 02, where more advanced and specialized topics will be covered. The success of Workshop 02 stands as a testament to the collaborative effort of the organizing committee, guest speakers, and enthusiastic participants. It has laid a strong conceptual and motivational foundation for the rest of the Arduino Challenge 2025 series. In summary, Workshop 02 of the Sri Lanka Arduino Challenge 2025 was not just a session, it was a launchpad for innovation, learning, and purpose-driven creativity. By merging technical excellence with humanitarian goals, this initiative sets a powerful precedent for the kind of engineering that changes lives. As the challenge continues, participants carry with them the knowledge and inspiration from Workshop 02, ready to design, build, and contribute to a more inclusive future through technology.
Agenda
7.00 p.m. - 7.10 p.m. Welcome Speech 7.10 p.m. - 7.15 p.m Session by Guest Speaker 7.15 p.m. - 7.30 p.m Token of Appreciation 8.40 p.m. - 8.55 p.m. Vote of Thanks 8.55 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. End of the program