Thursday, October 10, 2013

Tweens go Digital @ MAPL

           



          
            On Sunday, September 15th Tweens (students in grades 4-6) got digital when they played with a makey-makey kit (shown above).  The kit includes several wires which hook into the motherboard and then can be attached to anything that conducts electricity (metal paper clips, coins, etc.)  There is also a USB cable which can be plugged into your computer where you can use the makey makey as a remote control for games or to play the piano with!
            How the makey makey works is that each spot on the motherboard performs a different function that a traditional keyboard would (space key, arrow keys, etc). For example, when you hook the wire into the space key hole on the motherboard and attach the other end of the wire into something that conducts electricity, instead of pressing the space bar on the computer, you simply press onto the wire that is attached to the object and the command of the space bar will come to life! 
We tried several metal objects and pencil rubbings, and then I brought out some edible treats including carrots, gummy worms and apples to see if they would work with the makey makey.  To the tweens surprise, these edible treats worked and allowed them to play the piano by using these objects instead of the space bar and arrow key commands on a traditional keyboard.  


On Saturday, October 19th @ 3pm, another tween program, Halloween Fun will take place. Scary stories will be shared and we’ll be making some icky eats!  To find out information about tween programs or to register please call the library @ 732-583-9100 or email us at maplkids@lmxac.org






                   Tweens using the computer to set up the makey makey.





  Tween experimenting with an apple, will it work with the makey makey kit?







This post was written by Library Intern, Dennis.