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20 fun and inventive Makey Makey projects for Makers from beginner to expert
This hands-on guide is filled with DIY projects that show readers, step-by-step, how to start creating and making cool inventions with the Makey Makey invention kit. Each project features easy-to-follow, fully-illustrated instructions and detailed photographs of the finished gadget. Readers will see how to apply these skills and start building their own Makey Makey projects.
20 Makey Makey Projects for the Evil Genius starts off with very approachable introductory projects, making it a great starting point for beginners. It then builds to more challenging projects, allowing more experienced users to go further by incorporating technologies like Raspberry Pi, Processing and Scratch programming, 3D Printing, and creating wearable electronics with Makey Makey. Projects are divided into four categories: “Fun and Games,” Interactive,” Hacks and Pranks,” and “Makey Makey Go.”
• No prior programming or technical experience is required
• Basic enough for beginners, but challenging enough for advanced makers
• Written by two educators who believe in fostering creative innovation for all
Table of Contents:
An Introduction to Physical Computing
Section One Fun and Games
Project 1 Makey Makey Spin Art with Motors
Step 1: Motor Size and Voltage
Step 2: Motor Test
Step 3: Cold Cuts, Hot Glue, and Takeout
Step 4: Switch
Step 5: Power Up the Makey Makey
Step 6: Sticky Note Spin-Out Art
Taking It Further
Project 2 Cootie-Catcher Paper Circuit with Makey Makey
Create Scratch Game
Step 1: Create Account and Get Started
Step 2: Program Arrow Keys in Scratch
Step 3: Program “W” and “A”
Create Cootie Catcher
Step 1: Print Template, Cut, and Fold
Step 2: Conductive Tape on Arrows
Step 3: Refold
Step 4: Conductive Tape on EARTH
Step 5: Prepare Wires
Step 6: Connect Prepared Wiring to Cootie Catcher
Step 7: Prepare “w” and “a” Connections
Step 8: Create an EARTH Connection
Step 9: Connect to the Makey Makey
Step 10: Test Connections
Step 11: Tell Fortunes!
Taking It Further
Project 3 Makey Makey Marble Maze
Build a Maze and Switches
Step 1: Find a Big Flat Box and Design a Maze
Step 2: Build Walls with Straws and Hot Glue
Step 3: Create Switches at Traps
Step 4: Test Switches/Debug
Step 5: Power LEDs
Optional Tinkering: Chibitronics and LED Powered with Makey Makey
Step 1: Extend Wiring
Step 2: Hook Up the Makey Makey
Program in Scratch
Step 1: Key Press Scripts
Step 2: Add Variables
Add a Timer
Step 3: Set the Timer to Start
Step 4: Make Seconds
Step 5: Make Minutes
Step 6: Add Timed Sounds
Debug the Timer
Taking It Further
Project 4 Makey Makey Arcade Coin Slot
Step 1: Create a Slot
Step 2: Z-Shaped Paperclip Swing Switch
Step 3: Placement and Fine Tuning
Step 4: Use the Coin Slot with Existing Games
Taking It Further
Project 5 Arcade-Style Fortune Teller
Build Character and Arcade Box
Step 1: Create a Character
Step 2: Make Arms with Conductive Hands
Step 3: Wire Arms
Step 4: Reset Switch and Connecting Coin Slot
Program with Scratch
Step 1: Variables in Scratch
Step 2: Animate Backdrops
Step 3: Animate Eyes and Mouth
Step 4: Record Sounds
Step 5: Reset/Start Button and Resting State
Step 6: “Repeat” Block
Step 7: Debug with “if/then”
Step 8: Coin Drop
Step 9: Set Variables
Step 10: More Debugging with “if/then”
Step 11: Crazy Eyes
Step 12: Play Fortunes
Step 13: Loose Ends, Variables, and Broadcasts
Step 14: Final Setup
Taking It Further
Project 6 Build Your Own Pinball Machine
Step 1: Cut It Out
Step 2: Frame and Base Assembly for Pinball Machine with Ball Return
Step 3: Box Assembly for Simple Pinball Machine
Step 4: Ball Launcher
Step 5: Curve
Step 6: Flippers
Step 7: Actuators
Step 8: Simple 1- by 2-Inch Push Stick Actuators
Step 9: Rod Actuators
Step 10: Legs and Laptop Holder
Step 11: Bumpers, Guides, and Obstacles
Step 12: Wiring and Scratch Link
Step 13: Launcher Switch
Step 14: Ball Return Switches
Step 15: Bell Switch
Step 16: Rail Track Switch
Step 17: Swing Switch
Step 18: Basket of Nails
Step 19: Teeter-Totter Channel Switch
Taking It Further
Section Two Interactive
Project 7 Cookie Jar Alarm
Step 1: Pick a Jar
Step 2: The Latch Switch
Step 3: Lift Lid Switch
Step 4: Simple Scratch Alarm
Step 5: Keep Minions from Eating Cookies
Taking It Further
Project 8 Makey Makey Light-Up Morse Code Machine
Step 1: Make a Tower
Step 2: Assembly
Step 3: Wire a Button to Cardboard
Step 4: Send Secret Messages
Taking It Further
Project 9 Makey Makey Etch-a-Processing Sketch
Write a Sketch in Processing
Step 1: Look Around Processing
Step 2: void setup()
Step 3: void draw()
Step 4: Track Mouse Movement
Step 5: Test
Step 6: Tinker with strokeWeight()
Make an Etch-a-Sketch Box
Step 1: Prepare Box and Drill Holes
Step 2: Prepare the Box with Conductive Paint
Step 3: Transform Lids into Controllers
Step 4: Attach the Lids to the Box
Step 5: Hook Up Your Makey Makey and Play!
Taking It Further
Project 10 Makey Makey Musical Hoodie (Interactive Clothing)
Make a Fabric Switch
Step 1: Prepare Fabric Iron Fusible Interfacing to Fabric
Step 2: Create a Template and Cut Out Shapes
Step 3: Connect Conductive Switch Pads
Step 4: Sew the Switch Together
Step 5: Repeat for All Shapes
Step 6: Test Your Fabric Switches
Sew Circuitry
Step 1: Adhere Shapes
Step 2: Make Conductive Patches
Step 3: Map Circuitry
Step 4: Sew Circuit Key Presses
Step 5: Sew Negative
Step 6: Insulate the Circuitry
Step 7: Create Soft Leads (Or Use Alligator Clips)
Program and Hook to Makey Makey
Step 1: Raspberry Pi
Step 2: Hook Alligator Clips or Soft Leads
Step 3: Hide the Electronics
Taking It Further
One-Banana Hack of Musical Hoodie: Hack a Plushie
Step 1: Make a Fabric Switch from the Previous Instructions
Step 2: Create a Pair of Soft Leads for the Key Press and for EARTH
Step 3: Affix Fabric Switch with Glue and Hand Sew Snaps
Step 4: Make a One-Button Game in Scratch
Step 5: Nest “If/Else” Statements
Taking It Further
Project 11 Makey Makey Swipe Input
Step 1: Create a Drawing
Step 2: Create a List (Array) in Scratch
Step 3: Add to Target
Step 4: Set Gestures
Step 5: Forever, If, Repeat
Step 6: Create a Second Target
Step 7: Program
Taking It Further
Section Three Hacks and Pranks
Project 12 Hacking a Kid’s Toy with Makey Makey
Hack Keyboard Toy
Step 1: Take Out the Battery
Step 2: Open Up the Toy
Step 3: Investigate Easy Places to Create Switches
Step 4: Hack Dome Switches
Step 5: Create Keyboard Switches with Copper Tape
Step 6: Put It Back Together
Step 7: Remap Makey Makey Buttons
Program with Scratch!
Step 1: Remix Piano Project
Step 2: Label Sprites with Key Press
Step 3: Add “Change instrument”
Step 4: Add Sound Effects and “Stop all”
Step 5: Create a Copy and Add Sound Effects
Step 6: Create Another Copy and Record Sounds
Step 7: Rotate between Scratch Games to Make Music
Taking It Further
Project 13 One-Banana Hack: Hacking a Kid’s Toy
Step 1: Determine Conductivity
Step 2: Open Up the Toy Xylophone
Step 3: Wrap the Xylophone Keys with Conductive Tape
Step 4: Test Ring Sound
Step 5: Create EARTH with Mallet
Step 6: Program with Scratch
Taking It Further
Project 14 Makey Makey Power Tail Prank
Step 1: Make a Plan
Step 2: Makey Makey to PowerSwitch Tail II
Create a Pillow Switch
Step 1: Measure and Cut Fabric
Step 2: Tape Traces
Step 3: Wide Zigzag Stitch
Step 4: Hem, Pin, Sew
Step 5: Insulate Your Switch
Step 6: Put It All Together
Taking It Further
Project 15 Makey Makey Lock Box
Create a Lock Program in Scratch
Step 1: Create Lists
Step 2: Program Keys
Step 3: If This, Do That
Create a Lock Box
Step 1: Mark Brad Placement
Step 2: Label Keys and Hook Up Makey Makey
Step 3: Get Ready to Play!
Taking It Further
Section Four About Makey Makey Go
Project 16 Makey Go No Donut Prank
Step 1: Make a Hassle
Step 2: Make It Totally Random
Step 3: Set the Trap
Step 4: Test and Watch
Taking It Further
Project 17 Makey Go “Chopsticks”
Create Scratch Program
Step 1: Create and Set Variables
Step 2: Add Sounds in “Sounds” Tab
Step 3: Play Sound and Change Note (Left Hand)
Step 4: Play Sound and Change Note (Right Hand)
Step 5: If Counter Reaches Last Note, Reset to Beginning
Conductive Chopstick and Dipping Bowl
Step 1: Create Conductive Chopstick and Dipping Bowl
Step 2: Dip It Real Good!
Taking It Further
Project 18 Makey Go “Heart and Soul” Plant Kalimba (Thumb Piano)
Program Tones
Step 1: Play a Song
Step 2: Create Variable and Set Instrument
Step 3: “If” and “Or”
Create Kalimba
Step 1: Dig Up Supplies
Taking It Further
Project 19 Makey Go Cat Clicking Game
Step 1: Backdrops and Sprites
Step 2: Lion Click Counters
Step 3: Instructions and Insurance
Step 4: Backdrop Switch and Click Count
Step 5: Plug and Play!
Taking It Further
Project 20 Makey Go Lemon Squeezy
Step 1: Lemon Drops and Sprites
Step 2: Set Up Variables and Start Screen
Step 3: Variable Setting and Scoring Equations
Step 4: Countdown Clock
Step 5: Click and Clack
Step 6: Connect and Play Tips
Taking It Further
Index
About the Author :
Colleen Graves is a high school librarian and blogger, obsessed with Learning Commons transformations, Makerspaces, technology education, making stuff, and getting girls involved in STEM. She offers the unique perspective of starting/creating two different makerspaces and Girl STEM groups in established public schools.
Aaron Graves is a school librarian with 15 years of experience. He is a mash-up of robot geek, book lover, and tech wizard. Aaron gained his perseverance for projects through collaborative and interactive art experiences as a member of the Good/Bad Art Collective.
