The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Whack-an-Elf

with Scratch and Makey Makey

Whack-an-Elf with

Scratch and Makey Makey

A 9th-12th grade STEM lesson

Bridget Hagest

12/13/23

Notes for teachers

This lesson can be engineering- based, where the emphasis is on the product- a functional “hammer” and gamepad to whack. Students will play the pre-programmed game using the Scratch link.

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Or, this lesson can have a stronger emphasis on coding. Students can open the game in Scratch, click “Remix” to save a copy of the game, then click “See Inside” to make modifications to it.

Suggested Materials

• A cardboard box
• Aluminum foil
• Wire
• Bubble wrap
• Serving-size Pringles cans
• Toy hammer
• Recycled items
• Copper foil tape
• Duct tape
• Strong scissors or a utility knife
• Wire cutters/strippers
• Makey Makey
• Alligator clips (three)
• A computer with an internet connection
• A web browser that supports the Flash plugin

Standards

AZ Science Standard

HS+Phy.P4U2.7

Design, evaluate, and refine a device that works within given constraints to transfer energy within a system.

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AZ Educational Technology Standards

9-12.4.a. - Innovative Designer

Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.

9-12.4.d. - Innovative Designer

Students exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work with open-ended problems.

9-12.6.b. - Creative Communicator

Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.

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Standards

Science and Engineering Practice

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Apply scientific knowledge and evidence to explain phenomena and solve design problems, taking into account possible unanticipated effects.

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Cross Cutting Concept

Systems and System Models

Systems can be designed to do specific tasks.

○ What are the parts of the system?

○ Describe how the parts of the system interact.

○ What are the interactions of the system?

National Standards

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

• HS-PS3-3: Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.
• Connection: Students design and build a physical "hammer" and target system using conductive materials (foil, wire) and a Makey Makey. The device converts the mechanical energy of the "whack" into an electrical signal (closing a circuit) to trigger the computer.
• HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
• Connection: Students approach the challenge by breaking it into components: designing the physical interface (hammer/pad) and modifying the software (Scratch code), addressing constraints like durability and conductivity.
• HS-ETS1-3: Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
• Connection: The assessment requires students to field test their invention, seek feedback, and evaluate their final iteration based on requirements and constraints (e.g., school-appropriate images, functionality).

ISTE Standards for Students

• 1.4.a (Innovative Designer): Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.
• Connection: This is explicitly aligned in the lesson materials; students use the engineering design process to iterate on their game controller design.
• 1.6.c (Creative Communicator): Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.
• Connection: Students modify and "remix" a Scratch game, using digital media (images, code) to create an interactive experience.

Computer Science (CSTA K-12 Standards)

• 3A-CS-01: Explain how abstractions hide the underlying implementation details of computing systems embedded in everyday objects.
• Connection: By using the Makey Makey, students explore how physical objects can act as input devices (keyboard emulation), bridging the gap between hardware and software. * 3A-AP-13: Create prototypes that use algorithms to solve computational problems by leveraging prior student knowledge and personal interests.
• Connection: Students engage in an extension activity to "remix" the code, modifying the algorithms that control the game mechanics.

Objective(s):

Today students will use the engineering design process to build a functioning circuit in order to play a “whack a mole”-type game using a Makey Makey.

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Today students will make modifications to a preexisting game using Scratch.

Agenda (1-2 class periods)

Lesson Part 1

“Whack an Elf” with Makey Makey

• Review components of a circuit (5 minutes)
• Introduce Makey Makey (10-15 minutes)
• Introduce Scratch and premade game (5 minutes)
• Engineering design challenge (20 minutes +)

Lesson Part 2

Modify “Whack an Elf” in Scratch

• Model how to swap out images (5-10 minutes)
• Take pictures with green screen
• Remix game in Scratch (20 minutes +)

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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How can you use a Makey Makey kit to build your own electric circuit with the Scratch program to play “Whack an Elf?

Circuit

A circuit is a complete path around which electricity can flow.

• must include a source of electricity (battery, computer)

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Conductors: materials that allow electricity to pass through them easily (wire, metal, human body)

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Insulators: materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them (rubber, plastic, glass)

Closed Circuits

conduct electricity

Makey Makey

Get to Know Makey Makey

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

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/134861485/

Imagine- Generate Ideas

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What would a “Whack an Elf” game look like using a Makey Makey kit?

Plan- Select a Solution

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What materials would you like to connect your Makey Makey to? How will the alligator clips connect to the ‘hammer’ and the ‘elves’?

Hands-on Activity Instructions

In groups of two, use the engineering design process to build a functioning circuit in order to play “Whack an Elf” using a Makey Makey.

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Constraints

• use only the materials provided
• game must be safe to play
• time allotted

Share- Present the Results

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It’s time to show off your hard work!

Assessment-

Engineering Design Challenge

How do we assess our work?

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• We field test our invention
• We seek feedback
• We iterate and repeat
• We evaluate our final iteration’s ability to meet requirements and stay within constraints

Hands-on Activity Instructions

Make modifications to the preexisting “Whack an Elf” game by uploading your own pictures into Scratch.

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Constraints

• use school-appropriate pictures

Closure

Differentiation

Have a complete set up ready to go and model with if needed. I usually don’t like to show pictures or have a model because students will just copy that, but you may have students who need that extra guidance in order to be successful.

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You could have a ‘hammer’ ready to go and the students just make the ‘elf base’ to whack. (Or vice versa- have the elf base made and they just have to design a hammer.)

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Have students open the game in Scratch, click “Remix” to save their own copy of the game, then click “See Inside” to make modifications to it.

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Students can use a green screen to take pictures of each other and upload those into the game.

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Students can decorate their hammer and elf base with a holiday theme (like wrapping paper or markers).