Materials

Hardware:

  • Alligator Clips - Each Makey Makey kit comes with seven Alligator Clips. However, during the "Design Challenge" (aka "Demo or Die" session) it's nice to have extra Alligator Clips on hand when people are inventing. The link takes you to an amazon.com page to purchase the "SE TL10 10-Piece Test Lead Set with Alligator Clips" which is a set of 10. We recommend having at least 20 extra Alligator Clips on hand and preferably 30 or 40. You can also purchase these same sets of Alligator Clips at your local "Harbor Freight" store.
  • Scissors - We recommend "multipurpose shears" as they can cut through cardboard easily but seem to be a little safer to use because they cut slowly. You might also consider providing "normal" scissors.
  • Wire Cutters / Strippers - This tool is used to cut the extra wire (see "Phone Wire" below) during the "Design Challenge" portion of the day. You can also purchase this tool at your local "Harbor Freight" store.
  • Canary Cutter - This tool is nice to have but not mandatory. It makes it easy to cut corrugated cardboard. An elementary school teacher introduced this tool to us. She told us it's safe enough to let young children use it. This tool is used during the "Design Challenge". At our workshops we supply 5 of them and people can share. CANARY Corrugated Cardboard Cutter "Dan Chan" [Fluorine Coating], Yellow (DC-190F)
  • 12 inch long rulers - These are used during the Design Challenge portion of the workshop.
  • Speakers - Nice to use when you want to make your laptop computer louder. Also nice when playing music while people are working. Our head trainer travels with the OontZ Angle 3. This is not required.

Consumables:

  • Duct Tape - Used during the afternoon Design Challenge. You can buy this almost anywhere including WalMart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.
  • 3M Foil Tape 3381 Silver, 1.88 in x 50 yd 2.7 mil - This is essentially aluminum foil with a sticky back. You can find this at Home Depot or Lowes Home Improvement stores in the ventilation department. You can also find it at amazon.com.
  • Aluminum Foil - Best to get the "heavy duty" (thick) type. You can find this at most grocery stores. This is used during the afternoon "Design Challenge".
  • Wire - During the "Design Challenge" it's nice to have extra wire on hand because some people will invent things that need long wires. We recommend using "telephone wire" because it has 4 strands bundled inside. Each strand can be pulled out to be used independently. Telephone Wire can be found at most home improvement stores. Here it is on amazon: WIRE TELEPHONE 100' IVY by MONSTER JHIU MfrPartNo 140088-00
  • Blue "Painters" Tape - Really nice to use because it's easy to remove from floors and walls. This is used during the afternoon "Design Challenge".
  • Erasers - These are helpful to place on top of the Graphite Artist Pencils. Find them on amazon.com HERE.
  • 8.5 x 11 paper - This is used during the "Sketch it Play it" activity. Use any paper that is for a printer or copier. Nothing special here.
  • Index Cards - 4"x6" Used to make "name tents" at the beginning of the workshop. Also used for the icebreaker activity at the start of the workshop.
  • Cardboard - This is used in the afternoon Design Challenge. More cardboard is better. You'll see mention of this in the Pre Event sheet. You can find free cardboard at the grocery store and other places.
  • Rubber Bands - We recommend "Advantage Rubber Bands size #2 (3 x 1/8)" which are used in the "Switch Make One" activity. We also recommend having an assortment of rubber bands on hand for the afternoon Design Challenge activity as well.
  • Brass Fasteners - Used during the afternoon Design Challenge. These aren't used often but when people need them they are indispensable.
  • Foam - Used in the "Switch Make One" activity. I recommend 1/2 inch thick sheet foam. You can find it on amazon as "Fairfield Project Foam, 24 by 72 by 0.5-Inch" for $17 at the time of this writing. I use a Sharpie marker and a yardstick to draw out a grid of 1 inch x 2 inch rectangles. When I prepare for a workshop I cut “strips” of foam that have 12 rectangles per strip (each rectangle measures 1 inch x 2 inch). When it’s time for the “Switch Make One” activity I use scissors to cut out the rectangles - - each person gets ONE rectangle and then that person uses scissors at their table to cut that one rectangle in half lengthwise which produces two pieces each measuring 1/2 inch x 2 inches (they will need two pieces of foam to make their switch). Other places to find foam: craft stores, fabric stores, JoAnn, Michael's, Hobby Lobby.

Build a Basic Circuit

  • Supplies (one of the following for every two people):
    • LED - Lighthouse LEDs 10 x 5mm 9v Pre-Wired Red LED - Ultra Bright (7v, 8v, 9v)
    • 9v battery - The link takes you to the amazon website to purchase their "basic" brand but you can buy these anywhere.
    • Connector for 9v battery - uxcell Black Red Short Cable Connection 9V Battery Clips Connector Buckle(10-Pack)
    • Play-Doh - Regular off the shelf Play-Doh is used to facilitate connections of wires. We like using the "Play-Doh Party Bag Dough (15 Count)" which can be found at some local stores like WalMart.
    • Aluminum Foil - You can use regular off the shelf aluminum foil found at most any grocery store. Cut strips measuring approximately 1" x 2" to be used as a switch.

Storage