I would like to create a system that rewards the user with candy after they input the number of steps that they walked during the day. I want to be able to use a number pad to put in the number of steps and have the arduino turn a motor that kicks out a candy a certain number of time depending on how many steps they walked. Basically 1 turn for every 400 steps.
If it could display the number that is input on an LCD screen that would also be a wonderful bonus. Maybe ask "How many steps today?".
Also, resetting it would be awesome with a button or something.
I am not sure what you are asking so please forgive me if my information doesn't answer your question. I was planning on having the M&Ms exit a mason jar through a funnel that is the approximate diameter of the candy. That way they will stack up in the funnel and each turn of the motor will sweep one of them into a cup that my student will be holding.
I want to make the body of this thing out of wood with the jar and funnel held inverted so that the end of the funnel is held just above another wooden platform where the motor is attached.
It makes perfect sense and is a great idea.
It sounds like you have a pretty solid plan. Next you should learn about using the 4X4 pad and your servo from tutorials.
Do you have a display?
Happy to help. So you have three pieces of hardware to learn about. The tutorials will explain it. Then, you have to take a try at putting all the pieces together to test before building the thing. By then if you have questions they will probably be specific enough that you can answer them by searching for their topics in the forum.