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Makey Makey works by alligator clipping into everyday things that have some conductivity. When you hook an alligator clip into a banana and you hold an alligator clip connected to EARTH, you (your body) are actually the conductive stuff that closes the circuit and makes Makey Makey work!
But what materials can we use with Makey Makey besides bananas? What does it mean for an item to be conductive? or an insulator? or even a resistor?
Let's set up a simple experiment to find out! In this lesson, you will make a conductivity testing board to test items for conductivity; learn that everything in the world is either or conductive or an insulator.
Build the Conductivity Tester
Gather Materials - - aluminum foil, scissors, glue stick, index card
2. Cut aluminum foil in half.
3. Apply glue to the foil strips.
4. Attach foil to an index card. Make sure to leave about 1/2" of foil at the end so you can bend it over the edge.
5. Attach to the Makey Makey. ("Earth" and "Space")
Open the Is it Conductive App and
Connect one alligator clip to one strip of aluminum and "Earth" on the Makey Makey
Connect a second alligator clip to the second strip of aluminum foil to the "Space" on the Makey Makey
Testing Conductivity
Find items in the room and test to find out if they are conductive.
What's the most unusual item you can find that is a conductor?
Things to think about
How are conductive items alike?
What do the insulators have in common?
What makes a conductor different than an insulator?
Why do you think the alligator clip heads are covered with plastic?
CLICK HERE for a ready to use lesson on using the Makey Makey to explore conductivity.
Conductors and Insulators - What are they?
The alligator clips are made of metal which is a good conductor. Some items are very poor conductors of electricity and these items fall into the category of "insulators". Watch the 30 second video below to learn about conductors and insulators
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