The Conscious Coder

Engineering for Sustainability

From consuming technology to consciously creating it

8-Week Technical Track with micro:bit Smart Greenhouse

Wingston Sharon Wilson | Creative Coding & Technology

What We'll Build Together

The Smart Greenhouse Project

What We'll Explore

Beyond the Code

The Crisis in Modern Tech

"We've become expert consumers of technology, but lost the ability to consciously create it."

Week 1: Unveiling the Data Reality 🔬

The Ongoing Data Stream

Week 2: Holistic View of Tech 🧩

AQAL Model for Code Systems

Week 3: Evolving the Code 🌿

Spiral Dynamics in System Design

Three Approaches to Watering

Transcend and Include

if moisture < 30:
    pump.on()
    sleep(5000)
    pump.off()
# Rigid, results-driven

if moisture < 30:
    pump.on()
    sleep(2000)  # Less water
    pump.off()
# Values-oriented, gentle

if moisture < 30 and \
   is_daytime() and \
   humidity < 60:
    pump.on()
    sleep(calculate_water())
    pump.off()
# Systemic, adaptive

Week 4: Unmasking Shadow 👻

Critical Self-Reflection in Code

"What unacknowledged parts of ourselves are we expressing through our technical choices?"

Week 5: Quantifying Consumption 💧

Making Invisible Costs Visible

# Resource Use Dashboard
total_water = 0
flow_rate = 2.5  # ml per second

def water_plant(seconds):
    global total_water
    pump.on()
    sleep(seconds * 1000)
    pump.off()
    total_water += seconds * flow_rate
    display.show(f"{total_water}ml")

Week 6: Coding as Caretaking ❤️

From Automation to Connection

Week 7: Technology as Mirror 🪞

Shamanic Mirroring with Data

The external environment as perfect reflection of inner world

The Metamorphosis of the Coder

From Tutorial Follower to Creative Coder

Week 8: Open-Source Consciousness 🚀

Code as Planetary Service

"When we share our code, we're not just sharing functions—we're sharing consciousness."

The micro:bit Smart Agriculture Kit

What's in the Box?

Real Code Example

Environmental Dashboard (Week 1)

# Environmental Dashboard
from microbit import *

while True:
    # Read sensors
    temp = temperature()
    humidity = pin0.read_analog()  # Humidity sensor
    moisture = pin1.read_analog()   # Soil moisture

    # Display temperature
    display.scroll(f"T:{temp}C")
    sleep(1000)

    # Display humidity
    humidity_pct = int((humidity / 1023) * 100)
    display.scroll(f"H:{humidity_pct}%")
    sleep(1000)

    # Display soil moisture
    moisture_pct = int((moisture / 1023) * 100)
    display.scroll(f"M:{moisture_pct}%")
    sleep(1000)

    # Show happy face if all good
    if temp > 18 and moisture_pct > 40:
        display.show(Image.HAPPY)
    else:
        display.show(Image.SAD)

    sleep(2000)

Real Code Example

Fail-Safe Watering System (Week 4)

# Fail-Safe Watering with Shadow Work
from microbit import *

MAX_PUMP_TIME = 5000  # Max 5 seconds
MOISTURE_THRESHOLD = 30  # %
SENSOR_MIN = 0
SENSOR_MAX = 1023

def is_sensor_valid(reading):
    """Check if sensor reading is possible"""
    return SENSOR_MIN <= reading <= SENSOR_MAX

def water_plant_safely(duration_ms):
    """Water with fail-safe limits"""
    # Limit pump time (shadow: fear of flooding)
    safe_duration = min(duration_ms, MAX_PUMP_TIME)

    pin2.write_digital(1)  # Pump ON
    sleep(safe_duration)
    pin2.write_digital(0)  # Pump OFF

    # Visual confirmation
    display.show(Image.HAPPY)

# Main loop
while True:
    moisture = pin1.read_analog()

    # Shadow work: validate sensor
    if not is_sensor_valid(moisture):
        display.show(Image.SAD)
        display.scroll("SENSOR ERROR")
        sleep(5000)
        continue

    moisture_pct = int((moisture / 1023) * 100)

    if moisture_pct < MOISTURE_THRESHOLD:
        water_plant_safely(3000)

    sleep(60000)  # Check every minute

Real Code Example

Plant Messenger (Week 6)

# Plant Messenger - Caretaking over Automation
from microbit import *

THIRSTY_THRESHOLD = 35
plant_watered = False

def show_thirsty():
    """Plant asks for water"""
    display.show(Image.SAD)
    sleep(500)
    display.show("💧")  # Water drop icon
    sleep(500)

def show_happy():
    """Plant is content"""
    display.show(Image.HAPPY)

# Main loop
while True:
    moisture = pin1.read_analog()
    moisture_pct = int((moisture / 1023) * 100)

    if moisture_pct < THIRSTY_THRESHOLD:
        # Don't automate - ask human for help
        show_thirsty()
        plant_watered = False
    else:
        if not plant_watered:
            # Thank the human for caring
            show_happy()
            display.scroll("Thank you!")
            plant_watered = True
        else:
            show_happy()

    # Button A = human watered the plant
    if button_a.was_pressed():
        display.show(Image.HEART)
        sleep(2000)

    sleep(5000)

Embodied Practice for Coders

Beyond Sitting at Computer

From Black Box to Conscious Creation

Understanding Every Layer

"When you write every line intentionally, you build connection to your environment."

Is This Workshop For You?

Welcome If You're...

What You'll Take Away

Skills, Systems & Consciousness

How to Participate

Build Your Smart Greenhouse

All workshops on sliding scale for accessibility ✨

Conscious Creation over Mindless Consumption

Open Source over Proprietary

Caretaking over Automation

Connection over Convenience

The Conscious Coder

Code that cares • Tech that connects
From coder to caretaker • Your creation = planetary service

Wingston Sharon Wilson | Creative Coding & Technology
workshops@creativecodingtech.com