Plug in the Arduino board

1. Connect the Arduino board to a computer using the USB cable. Make sure the computer is turned on.

STEM Connections

In this activity, the computer is only providing the Arduino board with power through the USB. There is no information being shared between the computer and the Arduino board. The computer is the power source for the electrical circuit, like a battery.

Arduino is not turning on

1. Make sure the computer is on
2. Change the USB cable
3. Change the Arduino

Explanation: If the green light on the Arduino does not turn on, turn on your computer to make sure it is giving power. You do not need the computer open during this time, so once you have power to your Arduino you can shut your laptop. If you still do not see a green light, you may not have plugged the USB cable all the way in or may have accidentally put it in the wrong port. Double check to make sure that all of your connections are good.

1. It may seem obvious how the USB connects the Arduino to Laptop, but it is nice to show the students what that looks like by holding the Arduino and USB cable and connecting them. Typically they’re good to know the other end is going in the laptop.