Makey Mayhem - Series

Service Description

Suggested Ages: 8-12 Duration: 90min per session Drop-Offs: Yes, for ages 8+ Number of sessions: 4 Slots: 8 Cost: $100 ================= Summary: In this four-session course, students explore how electricity works by experimenting with conductive and non-conductive materials, then use Makey Makey electronics to invent their own interactive games or musical instruments. Along the way, they learn the basics of circuits, electrical conduction, and Scratch coding to bring their creations to life. The course emphasizes creativity, testing ideas, iteration, and playful engineering. == Session 1: What Is Electricity & What Conducts? Focus: Electrical conduction + curiosity-driven experimentation Key Concepts: What electricity is (simple, kid-friendly explanation) Open vs. closed circuits Conductors vs. insulators Hands-On Activities Explore the Makey Makey board and how it connects to a computer Test everyday objects (fruit, coins, paper clips, foil, graphite, Play-Doh, water, cardboard, fabric) Create a “conductor chart” to record findings == Session 2: Designing an Interactive Controller or Instrument Focus: Creative design + problem solving Key Concepts: Inputs and outputs Mapping physical actions to digital responses Design thinking (plan → build → test → improve) Hands-On Activities Choose a project path: Game Controller (buttons, pads, joystick-style layouts) Musical Instrument (piano, drum pads, banana bongos, floor piano) Sketch a design Build using cardboard, foil, conductive tape, wire, and found objects Connect the build to Makey Makey == Session 3: Coding with Scratch Focus: Coding fundamentals + customization Key Concepts: Events (“when key pressed”) Sounds, sprites, and motion Cause and effect in code Hands-On Activities: Learn how Makey Makey appears as keyboard inputs Build or modify a Scratch project: Game characters react to button presses Instruments play sounds or loops Customize visuals, sounds, and behaviors == Session 4: Remix, Improve & Showcase Focus: Iteration, creativity, and presentation Key Concepts: Debugging (fixing what doesn’t work) Iteration and improvement Sharing and explaining ideas Hands-On Activities: Improve designs (better conductivity, sturdier builds, more inputs) Add Scratch enhancements (sound effects, levels, animations) Mini showcase: students demonstrate how their creation works and explain what materials conduct electricity best