Switch - Make one!

Objective: Build a basic pressure sensitive switch

1. Gather your materials:

Each person will start with...

• • 1 piece of cardboard (2"x6")

  • 1 piece of aluminum foil tape (2"x6")

  • 1 small piece of foam

  • 1 rubber band "Advantage Rubber Bands size #2 (3 x 1/8)"

  • scissors (you might have to share these)

2. Cut cardboard into two pieces each measuring 2"x3".

3. Cut aluminum foil tape into two pieces each measuring 2"x3".

4. Attach aluminum foil tape to cardboard.

5. Cut foam in half lengthwise.

6. Sandwich two foam pieces between the cardboard. Wrap with rubber band to keep the sandwich together.

7. Connect two alligator clips - one to the top piece of cardboard and one to the bottom piece. Make sure the alligator clips make good contact with the aluminum foil tape.

• Green to "Earth" (aka "Ground") on the Makey Makey

• Red to "Space" on the Makey Makey

8. Squeeze to operate

• Operate your switch (control the game) by squeezing the center of the switch and releasing.

9. Find and play a game

Here are a few games to get you started:

• • • Flabby Physics (play with space bar)

    • Play.gl (play with the space bar)

    • Geometry Dash (play with the space bar)

    • Pong (requires Up and Down arrow keys)

    • Pacman (play with 4 arrow keys)

    • Motorcycle Rider (play with left & right & up arrow keys)

    • Flappy Bird (play with space bar)

    • Penguin Hopper (play with left & right arrow keys)

    • Stop Watch (play with left & right & spacebar keys)

10. Team Tetris: Once you've played a single switch game, partner with others and find games that require multiple switches. Connect your switches to the same Makey Makey.

• Example: Play TETRIS by connecting 4 switches to one Makey Makey. Each of the four team members operates one switch.

11. Switches Galore!

Check out this blog post at MakeyMakey.com and learn how to make an amazing variety of switches!

12. A primer on DIY switches video from The Tinkering Studio:

Different types of switches used to trigger a sound.

How many of these switches can you recreate using simple materials?