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WELCOME TO KIDSTECH 5th & 6th GRADERS!

Ms. Munson, Mr. Smith, Mr. Gooler, Mr. Pulizzotto

Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Jones, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Amitrano, Mr. O’Hara

Spring 2025

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Meet the Teachers:

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Ms. Munson

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Mr. Gooler

Mr. Smith

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Mr. Pulizzotto

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Meet the Teachers:

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Mr. Jones

Mr. Amitrano

Mr. Roberts

Mr. O’Hara

Mr. Jacobs

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Makey-Makey Game Button Design

Today we will be:

  • Going over classroom rules
  • Learning about the design process & assistive technology
  • Building an assistive game button set

Spring 2025

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Remote Rules:

  1. Keep your safety glasses on!
  2. Be respectful towards others.
  3. If you need help don’t be afraid to ask.
  4. Have a teacher check your work!
  5. Do your best!
  6. Have fun!

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Does anyone know what the Design Process is?

What can it help us do?

It’s a way of finding the solution by:

  • Fully defining the problem
  • Generating ideas
  • Testing those ideas
  • Then improving those ideas

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The Design Process

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Does anyone know what Assistive Technology is?

Devices, software, and services that help people with disabilities or other impairments perform daily tasks!

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  • Why are assistive technologies necessary for some people?

Some people are not able to perform tasks due to disabilities, these technologies allow them to perform tasks effectively and efficiently.

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Assistive Technology Helps With:

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Communication

Mobility

Visual

Auditory

Cognitive

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Basic Electrical Parts

Breadboards

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Alligator Clips

Jumper Wires

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Basic Electrical Parts

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LEDs Sound Buzzer

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Basic Electrical Parts

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Makey-Makey

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Let's get organized!

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Plug in your Makey Makey using the Mini USB wire

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Plug your Mini USB wire into your iPad/computer

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Open this link and play with the bongos

http://apps.makeymakey.com/bongos/

Or Google “Makey Makey Bongos”

Mute yourself before trying this!

How to make the noise:

  • one finger on arrow key or space button
  • other finger to “earth”

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Let’s test it out

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http://apps.makeymakey.com/bongos/

https://apps.makeymakey.com/piano/

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Let's Build the Makey-Makey Buttons

Follow along with the demonstration.

Raise your hand for help!

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Step #1:

Connect the buzzer to the breadboard.

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Top row

Holes 3, 4, & 5

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Step #2:

Connect

  • negative end (short) of the LED to
  • VCC from the buzzer

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Step #3:

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Connect the grey/black wire to GND on the buzzer

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Step #4:

Connect the red wire to the positive end (longer side) of the LED

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Step #5:

Connect one end of the purple wire to I/O on the buzzer.

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Step #6:

Connect the other end of the red wire to D14 on the Makey Makey

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Step #7:

Connect other end of the purple wire to GND on the Makey Makey

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Step #8:

Connect the other end of the grey wire to EARTH on the Makey Makey

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Step #9:

Now connect 4 separate jumper wires into WASD on the Makey Makey

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Step #10:

Connect each jumper wire with an alligator clip

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Step #11:

Connect a jumper wire to the EARTH circles on the Makey Makey

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Step #12:

This is what your setup should look like at this point

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Step #13:

Connect the conductors to your alligator clips!

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Common Types of Disabilities:

Visually Impaired People

Have difficulty seeing/ cannot see at all

Hearing Impaired People

Have difficulty hearing/ cannot hear at all

People with Motor Coordination Challenges

Have poor control of their muscles, making it hard for them to move certain body parts.

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Now design and create your own buttons that help a

disabled person play along in a game

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Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Create a set of 4 buttons for someone that is VISUALLY & HEARING IMPAIRED.

Create a set of 4 buttons for someone that has motor coordination challenges and is visually impaired.

Create a set of 4 buttons for someone that has MOTOR COORDINATION challenges and is HEARING IMPAIRED.

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Let’s PLAY!

Pacman- Google pacman open processing

Bloxorz- Google bloxorz coolmath

Jumping Clones- Google jumping clones armorgames

Mini Rocket- Google mini rocket armor games

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Review

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Next week we will be building a DISTANCE SENSOR!

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Have a good night!

Thank you for being a great student!

Spring 2025