Introduction to the Makey Makey

Creating and coding an interactive story - (this requires using scratch coding with the Makey Makey)

1. Create an interactive piano with fruit (or use different colors of Play doh. Click here for instructions and help.

OR

Create an interactive poster/display.

Examples of project descriptions for Makey Makeys

Example 1

I would use these kits in a variety of ways, focusing on their use while I co-teach Science classes to the grade 6 students during the upcoming electricity unit to show how a circuit works. I will also integrate these kits into my Learning Resource support classes at all grade levels to give students an opportunity to use them in creative ways, such as making interactive project displays for Social Studies or musical instruments in Music class. I would then incorporate the Makey Makey kits into our after school coding club and let students’ imagination run wild!

Example 2

As a cross curricular project incorporating Science, Art and coding, student will create interactive art pieces that will sing, talk, and/or produce sound effects when touched. Students will produce art projects using a wide array of materials open to them (i.e. play-doh, paint, tin foil, etc.). Using their knowledge of circuits and conductivity, they will connect the Makey Makey to various conductive parts of their art project. Students will be encouraged to explore using series circuits, parallel circuits, and a switch in their final project. Using Scratch, they will code the Makey Makey to create the desired sound effects. They will showcase their work to other classes and each other by setting up a gallery walk through and each group will create a video of their design process to share with parents and the public.

Example 3

In this exploration of the health curriculum, grade fours will build a Lego (or other) model of the human mouth. Using Makey-Makey circuitry, copper tape and a computer, learners will then animate the mouth so that the specific teeth, gums and tongue are identified and defined. Students will also create tips for appropriate and inappropriate dental care i.e., a representation of a Lego candy inserted in the mouth will animate a negative action on the computer (a red blinking pain screen with a voice-over that explains the image) or, by contrast, a Lego toothbrush in the mouth animates a positive image with a corresponding voice over.

Example 4

Our hope is to allow students to learn about the conductivity of everyday objects- starting with their food! Have students test various foods, i.e. bananas, orange, carrots for conductivity. We also hope to bridge children’s love of gaming with their science curiosity. The Makey Makey’s would allow them to create a game controller, and merge both interests while using their inquiry-based learning.

Example 5

Les élèves vont tester la conductivité de différents matériaux en les raccordant au makey makey. Aussi, les élèves vont tester la construction de circuits électriques simples, puis de circuits parallèles. Ils vont aussi avoir la chance de créer différentes sortes d'interrupteur pour leur circuit électrique. Finalement, ils pourront appliquer leurs découvertes à la fabrication d'instruments de musique divers.