Use everyday materials to create a cardboard and ping-pong ball machine on your door that sounds an alarm, turns on the lights or feeds your goldfish when someone enters the room. We’ll start the explorations using physical materials, ramps and rollers and then add in the digital world of sounds, LEDs and motors controlled by a Micro:bit microcontroller. There’s no limit to how far you can take this tinkering project.
Materials:
Analog
ping-pong balls
cardboard (from recycled boxes)
paper towel tubes
recycled cups and containers
scissors
masking tape
kite string
a wall/door with some space to build
Digital
Micro:bit (with USB cord and battery pack). Purchase from Adafruit or on get the full starter kit on MakerShed
Small 3V speaker. Comes in Maker Shed starter kit or purchase individually from Adafruit
LEDs (Comes with Maker Shed mibro:bit start kit or purchase individually from Adafruit or from the Evil Mad Scientist.)
Alligator clips and jumper wires. Purchase from Adafruit
computer with an internet connection for coding the device
Watch and comment LIVE on the Family Maker Camp Facebook page or on the Kids Make: Youtube channel.
