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Project to invoke interest in kids 3-6. Thoughts anyone??? — Parallax Forums

Project to invoke interest in kids 3-6. Thoughts anyone???

Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
edited 2014-12-22 19:47 in Propeller 1
I have been thinking of building something based on a Prop to pique the interest in my eldest 2 grandchildren - boys 3 & almost 6 (mainly the 6 year old).

A few things come to mind...

1. Clock using a Nokia 5110 display
2. Driving some motors - boys always like motors to turn wheels, etc
3. Flash some RGB LEDs
4. A Dice using the Nokia display
5. Need some buttons or maybe a 16 keypad

Perhaps Blockly would be the choice of software for something simple.

I have already purchased SJ 18650 3.7V 6000mA batteries and chargers (USB) on eBay to power the board etc.

They are really too young to assemble the board, but not too young to watch a short soldering process, and plug some motors in to the board.

So my thoughts were, when the board wasn't being used for play, it would revert to being a small clock.
It could be used as a dice (or multiple die) for various games they have.
And they could use the board to drive motors and/or colored LEDs.

I want to design a special (cheap) pcb for this. More specific to some simple things rather than a general purpose board (I have plenty of these).

Can anyone think of anything else (cheap) that would pique 3-6 year olds interest that could be on the simple board (or plug in) ??

FYI They are in to LEGO but Dad has to put them together. They are getting a general pack of pieces from Santa so they may start to make their own things.

Comments

  • ozpropdevozpropdev Posts: 2,792
    edited 2014-12-21 16:56
    Hi Ray,
    How about adding a buzzer/speaker for simple game feedback. Maybe a quiz adjudicator or simple number games?
    Reaction game or concentration game? :)
    Cheers
    Brian
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-12-21 17:25
    Perhaps a single channel audio circuit and 3.5mm socket. So it can plug into a cheap powered speaker.
    Thought I might make the board into an animal shape.
    I will use smt to keep it small.
    Push buttons with wires to 2pin sockets can be gathered from old PCs.
  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,566
    edited 2014-12-21 20:15
    I promoted the Penguin robot to my oldest daughters class when she was in Pre-K. She is in the 6th grade now and I still have kids coming up to me asking about the Penguin robot. Just recently I helped to write a STEM grant that we received $10,000 for. Yay!! My youngest daughter now in the 3rd grade will benefit from the STEM grant starting next year (2015).

    For that Age group I would recommend something that they can interact and observe hands on. In my case with the penguin I had a flashlight that the kids could take turns in a semi darkened room to direct the robot. I also gave it a bit of a personality... if it was too dark, the Penguin would fall asleep and make snoring noises. When it was awake and following light and sensing obstacles though the IR, it was equally vocal and very "chatty" in terms of beeps and squeaks.

    http://bscircuitdesigns.com/IMG2628.jpg
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2014-12-21 20:23
    How about a coffee table "whack-a-mole" game using leds and a soft foam mallet?
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2014-12-21 22:19
    kwinn wrote: »
    How about a coffee table "whack-a-mole" game using leds and a soft foam mallet?

    Great idea!

    Sounds like a blast.
  • turbosupraturbosupra Posts: 1,088
    edited 2014-12-22 06:08
    If they are anything like my nephew, something Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-esque, even a talking turtle whose eyes (leds) would flash and sound would come from its general direction would be pretty awesome. Come to think of it, I wouldn't mind making something like that myself for my nephew now, lol.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-12-22 16:16
    Thanks for your ideas. They already have games - a Wii and many other things so I wanted to try something else.

    Beau,
    The Penguin looks nice. Currently I am just trying to pique their interest in a few basics. This is definitely something they could to progress to.
    Last year I bought the eldest a model V8 Engine - about 400mm3 (16"cubed). Was really fantastic but he lost interest during the build, but watching it running was great. We will break it down and rebuild when he is a bit older. It has all the pistons, valves etc. A really nice model - got it for ~$50 IIRC. He is into watching the V8 Supercars in Oz.
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2014-12-22 19:47
    jazzed wrote: »
    Great idea!

    Sounds like a blast.

    Thinking of making one for my youngest great nephew and niece with the rgb led modules I added to my recent parallax order.
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