This basic project explores some possible animations that one can program a Neopixel Jewel to display, using an Arduino (tested with an Arduino Uno).
This project was originally used in a Girls Who Code workshop at Autodesk, Inc. in the summer of 2016. The skeleton program outlines exercises that students can work on to build up different animations, such as a heart that starts beating more and more rapidly until it "explodes" (this is meant to be a happy explosion, not a stressful one!). There is also a branch that has a set of possible answers for reference.
Arduino basics: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Foundations
Neopixel best practices (safety first!): https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide/best-practices
Setting up a Neopixel Jewel: https://github.com/MakerDen/Maker-Den-NETMF/wiki/NeoPixel-Jewel-Setup
Intro to Arduino Neopixel library use: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide/arduino-library
Debugging problems encountered while uploading sketches: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Troubleshooting#upload
Adafruit Neopixel Uberguide: https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/downloads/pdf/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide.pdf