Code-Design-Build!

Challenges for Teens

Code-Design-Build is a series of workshops for teens age 12-15. Projects may include:

• Make a Musical Wearable Device, such as a keyboard shirt or synth glove.

• Make an Art Device, such as a tilt-controlled drawing robot.

• Make a Traveling Robot, such as crawlingl Robot Inchworm!

• Make an Animatronic Pal that can lip-sync and change its expression in response to sounds.

• Make a Game Device, such as a motorized tilt maze.

Supply List

Quantities are per person or per team (two-three per team)

Required Electronics

• computer with USB port and internet access

• one (1) Adafruit Circuit Playground Express (CPX) microcontroller board or BBC Micro:bit V2 with USB data cable and battery case

• six (6) alligator clip to male header jumper wires in different colors (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/3448)

• one or two (1-2) 9g micro servo motors (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/169)

Computer Requirements and Options

• laptop or desktop computer (not a tablet)

• USB data cable (comes with CPX base kit)

• internet access to free, online Microsoft MakeCode software (works best with Chrome browser)

• (optional) Windows 10 offline app

• (optional) extra-long USB data cable

Optional Electronics and Tools

• conductive tape, copper or nylon with conductive glue (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/3961)

• LED fairy lights (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/894) -- also requires wire stripper (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/527)

• programmable LED lights (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/3811)

 Crafts and/or Recycled Materials

Use what you have! Ideas include:

• materials for programmable wearables, such as:

  • felt or other scrap fabric

  • clothing to upcycle:

    • t-shirts

    • hats, ear warmers

    • hair clips or headbands

    • gloves or wrist bands

• recycled containers and materials, such as:

  • small corrugated cardboard mailing boxes

  • heavy and lightweight scrap pieces (cereal boxes, old postcards, index cards)

  • cardboard tubes

  • paper cups

• adhesives, such as:

  • peel-and-stick Velcro dots — best choice for attaching microcontroller boards

  • peel-and-stick double-sided tape (quick alternative to hot glue)

  • regular household tape:

    • duct tape (good for making wearables, too)

    • clear tape

    • masking tape (have a lot on hand for quick prototyping!)

  • adhesive dots — good for googly eyes and other decorations

  • electrical tape

  • removable mounting squares (used for hanging posters)

  • hot glue gun

• connectors, such as:

  • paper clips

  • metal brads

  • pipe cleaners

  • mini zip ties

  • wire, twist ties

  • paper or plastic straws

  • bamboo skewers, cocktail picks, and/or toothpicks

• cutting tools, such as:

  • scissors (preferably small, sharp scissors like sewing or nail scissors)

  • ceramic craft knives

  • sharp pencil (for poking holes)

• decorative materials, such as

  • colored markers

  • glitter glue

  • googly eyes

  • craft sticks in assorted sizes

  • large wooden or plastic beads

  • peel and stick craft foam

  • LED diodes (3, 5, or 10 mm bulb with long wires)

Here’s my list of Maker Supplies to may give you some more ideas.

Disclosure: I may earn a commission if you shop using my Amazon links. There is no cost to you.