Project
Materials

Makey Makey Makey Operation

WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?

A DIY version of the classic game “Operation,” starring Makey.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

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

STEPS

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 HAPPENING HERE?

Makey Makey is an invention kit designed to connect everyday objects to computer keys. Using a circuit board, alligator clips, and a USB cable, the toy uses closed loop electrical signals to send the computer either a keyboard stroke or mouse click signal. This function allows the Makey Makey to work with any computer program or webpage that accepts keyboard or mouse click.

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.

Materials:

  • A small USPS shipping box
  • A Makey Makey kit
  • A sheet of cardstock
  • Copper tape
  • Tape
  • 4 1/8-inch by 1-inch springs
  • Metal tweezers
  • Printed template
  • Scissors

See More Projects in these topics:

Arts & Crafts Electronics Games Microcontrollers

See More Projects from these themes:

Carnival/Theme Park
Maker Camp
Maker Camp is a do-it-yourself online resource to help leaders like you organize a summer camp that engages children in making. Our goal is to provide you and your campers with the inspiration and the helpful resources, along with many possible projects to fit a wide range of interests and abilities. The idea is to focus on making as a playful, social activity. Maker Camp provides enough support for anyone to get started. Making provides experiences that help children become self-directed learners and good problem-solvers.
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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. Make Community, LLC, disclaims all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense.

Maker Camp Project Standards

Based on NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)

National Core Arts Standards

The National Core Arts Standards are a process that guides educators in providing a unified quality arts education for students in Pre-K through high school. These standards provide goals for Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts with cross-cutting anchors in Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting through art. The Anchor Standards include:
  1. Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
  2. Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
  3. Refine and complete artistic work.
  4. Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
  5. Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
  6. Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
  7. Perceive and analyze artistic work.
  8. Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
  9. Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
  10. Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
  11. Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
Please visit the website for specific details on how each anchor applies to each discipline.

NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards. Learn more.

Forces and Motion

  • 3-PS2-3. Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.
  • HS-PS4-5. Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy.

K–12 Computer Science Framework

The K–12 Computer Science Framework is designed to guide computer science from a subject for the fortunate few to an opportunity for all. The guiding practices include:
  1. Fostering an Inclusive Computing Culture
  2. Collaborating Around Computing
  3. Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems
  4. Developing and Using Abstractions
  5. Creating Computational Artifacts
  6. Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts
  7. Communicating About Computing
You can download the complete framework here. You may also want to consider the International Society for Technology in Education Standards. The ISTE Standards provide the competencies for learning, teaching and leading in the digital age, providing a comprehensive roadmap for the effective use of technology in schools worldwide.

NGSS 3-5.Engineering Design

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.
  • 3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
  • 3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
  • 3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
For additional information on using content standards with our projects please visit the Maker Camp Playbook.

NGSS MS.Engineering Design

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.
  • MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
  • MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
  • MS-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
  • MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
For additional information on using content standards with our projects please visit the Maker Camp Playbook.

NGSS HS.Engineering Design

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.
  • HS-ETS1-1. Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
  • HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
  • HS-ETS1-3. Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
  • HS-ETS1-4. Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.
For additional information on using content standards with our projects please visit the Maker Camp Playbook.

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