E-1 Makey Makey
E-1 Makey Makey Exploration
In this lesson, students will explore physical computing devices by utilizing a Makey Makey connected to a computer. They will experiment to gain knowledge of what types of objects can be connected to a Makey Makey, and how they can be used to control software and programs on their computer.
OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson, students will:
Connect a physical computing device to use with a computer program
Explore which materials will conduct electricity and thus work with a Makey Makey
TEACHER RESOURCES
Makey Makeys (with USB cable and alligator clips), 1 for each group of 2-4 students
Conductive materials to connect to the Makey Makey
Makey Makey HOW-TO webpage
Makey Makey Apps webpage
Optional teacher resource: Introduction to Makey Makey
Do Now (5 minutes)
Watch the video Makey Makey - An Invention Kit for Everyone (2:11)
Discuss:
What are some of the things that were made with the Makey Makey in this video?
How does you connect the Makey Makey to your computer?
What other objects do you think would work with the Makey Makey? What is required for an object to work with it?
TEACHER GUIDANCE:
In the video, a Makey Makey is used to make video game controllers out of playdough, pencil drawings, and buckets of water, a piano made from a staircase and some bananas, a photo booth made from water and foil, and keyboard letters made from soup.
Connect the Makey Makey to a computer using the USB cable, then connect other objects to the Makey Makey using alligator clips.
Objects must be conductive to work with the Makey Makey, so there are lots of other materials that can be used with it - encourage students to explore!
Close-Out (5 minutes)
Discuss the following questions:
What materials worked best with the Makey Makey today? What materials didn’t work at all?
What were you able to use the Makey Makey to do today?
What do you hope to use the Makey Makey to create in the future?
TEACHER GUIDANCE: Any conductive material should work with the Makey Makey; consider making a class list of materials that work as your students discover them!
Standards CSTA
CSTA 2-CS-02 :Design projects that combine hardware and software components to collect and exchange data.
CSTA 2-CS-03 Systematically identify and fix problems with computing devices and their components.