This week exemplified why it is amazing to be a STEM teacher!!! Thanks to another DonorsChoose.org project, my class received 6 MaKey MaKeys to use. MaKey MaKeys are invention kits created by graduate students at MIT. MaKey MaKeys plug into a computer's USB port and can be used to control the computer in various ways - activating the directional arrows, space bar, and mouse clicks. After plugging the MaKey MaKey into the computer, students use alligator clips to "ground" the board and then to complete circuits to control the computer. First, students controlled the computer by high-fiving or head-patting the person holding the grounding wire (thus completing the circuit). Shortly after figuring out the basics, students began to ask for other materials to use to make circuits. Throughout the course of the day, we used graphite pencil marks on paper, bananas, gummy bears, foil, assorted fruit, and Play-Doh to make the MaKey MaKey work. Did you know that gummy bears can be used to conduct electricity?
One highlight was when a group started wondering what other materials could be used and independently began trying out different materials - pine cones, Velcro, and plain paper. While they didn't work, students were problem solving and coming up with questions to test on their own!!!
Check out the video that inspired our learning:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rfQqh7iCcOU
One highlight was when a group started wondering what other materials could be used and independently began trying out different materials - pine cones, Velcro, and plain paper. While they didn't work, students were problem solving and coming up with questions to test on their own!!!
Check out the video that inspired our learning:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rfQqh7iCcOU