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Apr 14th, 2022
First Time Using Makey Makey
By:
by Corey Mitterer
Fluxspace
🎓 Grade Level —
3-6
⌛ Time to Read —
4 min
📥 Includes —
Overview, Photos
Materials
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First Time Using Makey Makey

AI Summary:

In my first experience with Makey Makey, an invention kit that connects everyday objects to computer programs via circuit boards and alligator clips, I created a custom controller to interact with a sketching application. Using the Plug & Play Makey Makey App, I selected a drawing program and built a controller by sketching buttons with a graphite pencil. These drawings were connected to the Makey Makey board, allowing me to draw digitally by touching paper. Through iterative testing and problem-solving, I successfully assembled a functioning interface. This project demonstrated the platform’s educational value by encouraging creativity, adaptability, and hands-on learning in electronic interfacing.

Today I got to work with Makey Makey for the first time! I based my first project off of the Make a sketch program which allowed me to draw pictures in a program by just using a piece of paper! 

Makey Makey is an invention based kit that allows you to connect everyday objects to programs using circuit boards and alligators clips. You can control programs with all sorts of things: fruit, playdough, even just drawings on a sheet of paper! 

I started by going to the Plug & Play Makey Makey App and selecting the app that I wanted to work with. After selecting my app I was free to build my controller in whatever way I wanted! I decided to use the graphite pencil to hand draw my own controller. I began by using the makey makey graphite pencil to draw out the arrows and all the other buttons I want to use for my controller. I grabbed the makey makey circuit board and alligators clips and started connecting the clips to specific ports on the board and eventually connected all of the wires to the board. After connecting everything I began to connect the other side of the clips to my drawings of all my buttons. Lastly through trial and error I eventually got a working controller and had the ability to draw using just a sheet of paper!

My favorite part about Makey Makey is the flexibility that comes with Makey Makey. It really allows you to learn to troubleshoot and problem solve rather than just following a tutorial. Makey Makey gives you the flexibility to create whatever you want however you want to do it!

Project Examples

Have a solution to this challenge you want to share? Take a photo or video of your prototype, post it on social media, and don’t forget to tag us @fluxspace_io

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