The new Code-a-Key Backpack! Bringing the Makey Makey and the BBC micro:bit together for more invention fun!

Makey Makey Paper Circuit Valentine Template

 Learn how to make a Valentine's paper circuit and test conductive materials!

Download and Print this Template!

Download this template, print it, and gather supplies. You'll need conductive tape and an LED for this project. You can use any conductive tape, but we used tape from our Inventor Booster Pack. 

 

Watch this video

If you need help with your template, watch this video!

 

 

Hook up Makey Makey

Use a hook up wire in the back header and plug into "KEY OUT". 

Use an alligator clip to connect this header to your KEY OUT tape trace on the template. (The red alligator clip connected to the heart, is connected to KEY OUT on the Makey Makey) Connect the template to EARTH where indicated. (The grey alligator clip on the heart is connected to EARTH.)

Lastly, hook up any key press you would like for the "testing materials"  tape trace that says "key press" (We connected the red alligator clip from any key press to SPACE on the Makey Makey!) Make sure you connect EARTH for the testing materials tape trace too.

Plug your Makey Makey into the computer.Use your finger to make sure the heart will light up when you touch both tape traces! Now you are ready to test materials!

Ohm Resistors 

You will need an ohm resistor in your Makey Makey circuit so you don't blow out the LED. To figure out what ohm resistor you need, you have to use Ohm’s Law. That formula is V = I × R, where V is the voltage, I is the current, and R is the resistance.

Check out this table from Evil Mad Scientist.

Makey Makey output is between 4.5 - 5V, so for a Blue, Green, White, or UV LED, you will want to use a 48 ohm resistor. 

If you are using a Red, Yellow, or Yellow-Green LED, you will want a 36 Ohm resistor.

 

Test materials

 

Try lots of different materials to see what will #makeymakey your heart light up!

 

Extensions

 

Use Scratch to record fun Valentine sayings. You can create multiple recordings and use the "random" block to have them play randomly when your heart lights up!

Time Investment
Up to 1 hour
Grades:
9-10

Supplies

  • Makey Makey
  • Conductive tape
  • LED
  • Ohm Resistor
  • Template

EDU Standards

Common Core English/Language Arts- 

  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7(Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration., 
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.7 (Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.)
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.7 (Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.)
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.7 (Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.)

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