Cardboard Circuits

WORK IN PROGRESS

DYI electronic modules tinkerers

#cardboardcircuits are electronic modules built of cardboard, glue and scrap electronics. Modules are built by the kids themselves and electronic parts are sourced from deconstructing toys and other every day electronic gadgets. The modules are built from common classroom materials such as cardboard and binder clips. Cardboard circuits are inspired from Tinkering Studio circuit boards, toy deconstruction and Paper:Bits.

Sharing your creations on social media? Use the #cardboardcircuits handle!

Deconstructing provides Context

As kids source the electronic parts from existing toys and machines, it gives an additional context to those components. A potentiometer is a somewhat boring and un-interresting element at first sight - however if it was extacted from a racing wheel controller, it gives that item a context meaningful to the children. Hence, their interrest is peaked and they understand why such component is important.

Built by kids

In this module system, modules are built by the children themselves. Kids will naturally build modules to their taste, modules that have the right size for their hands, modules that have their favorite colors, modules that they want to reuse and can relate to.

No soldering required

Connections between modules are made via crocodile clips, binder clips or paper clips. Using common classroom materials, kids are able to manufacture their own modules -- without soldering. Just like Circuit Boards, modules can be connected together with tape, elastics and others.

Modules are self-documented

Kids use the cardboard to down a manual of the component they just built.

Using colored masking tape, little Bits color convention can also be used to categorize the modules (power = blue, input = pink, output = green, wire = orange).

Microcontrollers welcome

Students can use any microcontroller to build specialized modules, such as sound generation, servo or motor controllers. These modules may even involve breadboards!

Testing, testing, testing

As kids build their own modules, they are constantly encourage to test their circuits. Testing and validating a module is cornerstone of the approach. As a side effect, the students build a robust mental model of the components they are working with.

Acknowledgments

A special thanks for the Tinker Tank team at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle.

kant / cardboard-circuits Goto Github PK