Makey Makey Makey Operation

TIME TO COMPLETE

30 min. to an hour

WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?

You will learn to construct a simple game board, create conductive connections, and make a switch.

WHAT WILL YOU NEED?

Cardboard
Conductive Tape
Crafting Materials
Electronics
Makey Makey
Paper
Tape (Duct, masking, etc)

STEP 1

Prep the box

Cut the lid off of the shipping box and then assemble the rest of the box with tape.

STEP 2

Adding Makey

Print out the template (it can be downloaded here) and tape it to the top of the box. Then cut out the green squares on Makey. Make sure to cut through the paper and the box.

STEP 3

Add copper tape

The edges of all the holes¬†need to be wrapped in copper tape. Try to apply it as evenly as possible without closing off the hole.

STEP 4

Add clip strips

We need a good place to attach the leads for the Makey Makey. Add strips of copper tape from each hole, and at the end of each strip fold over a small amount of the tape to make a flap that we can easily clip to.

STEP 5

Cut strips

Cut strips of cardstock each 1/4 inch thick and about 4 inches long.

STEP 6

Make loops

Form the strips of paper into loops, then tape a loop around the back of each hole in Makey.

STEP 7

Attach the lead

Attach 4 leads to the copper strips we previously added. Keep track of which color lead you attached to which hole for later.

STEP 8

Add the box top

Cut a notch into the box top that we previously removed from the box. Now you can press the box top down into the box until it rests on the loops of card stock.

STEP 9

Connect the Makey Makey

Connect the leads that are coming out of the box to the Makey Makey. The pattern to connect them is: Left arm to left arrow. Left leg to up arrow. Right leg to down arrow. Right arm to right arrow.

STEP 10

Connect the tweezers

Connect a cable to ground portion of the Makey Makey and then connect that wire to the back of your tweezers.

STEP 11

Place the springs

Place the four springs in the holes in Makey's limbs.

STEP 12

Time to play

Connect your Makey Makey to your computer and then go to¬†makercamp.com/makey-game. The game works best in Chrome and Firefox.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Can you make the game more challenging by going bigger or smaller? Try adding more operation points to Makey using some of the other pins on the back of the Makey Makey.

Please Note

Your safety is your own responsibility, including proper use of equipment and safety gear, and determining whether you have adequate skill and experience. Power tools, electricity, and other resources used for these projects are dangerous, unless used properly and with adequate precautions, including safety gear and adult supervision. Some illustrative photos do not depict safety precautions or equipment, in order to show the project steps more clearly. Use of the instructions and suggestions found in Maker Camp is at your own risk. Maker Media, Inc., disclaims all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense.