I am posting this question in the suggestions forum because if the answer is no, it would be helpful if there were one.
I am looking for a portable version of the Arduino development software. By portable I mean apps that can be placed on, and run from, a USB, such as the apps featured at http://portableapps.com/.
My reason for this request is this, I have been asked to direct the first, after-school, robotics club at the middle school where I teach computer application and introduction to IT. The school purchased several Lego Mindstorms kits, which I intend to use. However, I feel that the students, after learning the basics of robotics, using the Lego kits, may want to advance to real microcontrollers.
Toward this I purchase an Arduino kit (yes, with my own money). I then asked the IT department to install the software. Yes, I have the skill to install software; however, the computers are locked down so that the users cannot install software (or even change the background on our desktop).
I was, eventually, told by the IT department that any software installed has to be approved by the district technology committee. I then contacted the technology committee (which, not surprisingly, has no technology teachers sitting on it. I have since found that the requests, by technology teachers, to be on the committee, are routinely denied by the IT department). I was told by the technology committee that any educational software has to be approved by the curriculum director for submission and approval by the curriculum committee.
The curriculum director isn’t excited about the whole robotics thing; further she is stuck on the point that it isn’t part of my class curriculum (. . . right, it’s an after school activity). The other point is that there a concern that, even if the activity were successful, it would conflict with extracurricular sports activities . . .you know, the real reason students at school.
The workaround recommended by the IT department is to 1. build a Linux box and run it on that (but never connect the Linux box to the school network); or, 2. run it off a USB. That is where I am at, is there a way to install the software on a USB?