Circuitry Projects
These three stand-alone lessons come from the San Francisco Exploratorium's Tinkering Studio. These are suitable for beginners and experienced alike. An experienced maker will just take the idea further than a newbie will.
More Paper Circuits |
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This next paper papercircuits file is from Make magazine and includes how-to info for simple circuit, parallel circuits, and a switch. The 4-up template uses Jie Qi's simple circuit template. We use the template as an intro to the concept of paper circuits.
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The following files are from Lighthouse Community Charter School in Oakland. The first is a lesson plan for paper circuits, simplified even more clearly by using copper for one leg of the circuit, and aluminum foil for the other. The second file is a school-wide paper circuit mural.
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More Circuits
From PBS Kids Design Squad, make a hidden alarm to annoy your family and pets. When you have completed that activity, move on to the Dance Pad Mania lesson:
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This one, also from PBS Kids Design Squad, has the maker hack an electronic greeting card and use the parts for another purpose. You could take it further by making it into a new toy.
hackcard-english.pdf | |
File Size: | 614 kb |
File Type: |
Makey-Makey
Makey-makey is a fun circuitry element: https://youtu.be/rfQqh7iCcOU
The kit is expensive ($50), but the possibilities are great. It appears pretty durable. The thing the student gets to keep could be a video of the project at completion, with peer reactions. makeymakey.com
This is a lesson plan using the makey-makey board, computer, and additional materials.
The kit is expensive ($50), but the possibilities are great. It appears pretty durable. The thing the student gets to keep could be a video of the project at completion, with peer reactions. makeymakey.com
This is a lesson plan using the makey-makey board, computer, and additional materials.
sketchitplayit.pdf | |
File Size: | 1598 kb |
File Type: |
For a one-time experience, (i.e. open house, science night)
Squishy circuits, made of homemade play dough, are a fun idea for a science night or other one-time gathering. I haven't tried this myself, but have seen it done.
squishy_circuits.pdf | |
File Size: | 760 kb |
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Supplies
You may be able to find some of the supplies at your local craft store (Michaels), home improvement center (Home Depot), or electronics store (Frys). Many things can be found in the online river of commerce (Amazon.com), but you have to be sure what you want because of all the choices. Here are some websites that specialize in selling some of the supplies listed in the above lessons:
sparkfun.com
adafruit.com
Both sites also have project ideas, videos, and other resources.
sparkfun.com
adafruit.com
Both sites also have project ideas, videos, and other resources.
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