In order to help celebrate National Children’s Craft Day, it is fitting that we’ve chosen the occasion to highlight some of the groundbreaking work contributed by one of our collaborators, Playground Opera. As described on their website, “The Playground Operas program, operated by the international nonprofit Opera on Tap, is a school day residency program […]
Guest Post: Bringing Chibitronics to Vietnam
An Inspiring Goal In April of this year, Cath, a high school junior at CATS Academy Boston, who is the president of her school’s STEAM club (instructed by Mrs. Eileen McMahon), reached out to tell us about an inspiring summer project that she and a group of her peers was involved in planning. When describing […]
A Closer Look at the Chibitronics Chibi Chip
The Chibitronics Love to Code Chibi Chip is a fun and friendly way to engage with programming, especially when combined with the Microsoft Make Code Editor. Because there is no software to install or drivers to configure, it’s easy to get started online. The Chibi Chip is the heart of the Love to Code (LTC) system. You […]
6 Ways to Save Used Batteries for Safe Disposal
Did you know that the coin cell/button cell batteries most widely used in light-up paper crafts and cards (CR2032 and CR2016) fit into a category of batteries that require unique consideration for proper disposal? Primary/Single-Use batteries cannot be recharged and must be disposed of once they wear out. Alkaline, lithium, silver oxide, zinc-air, zinc-carbon, and zinc-chloride, […]
Make a Puppet with Color Changing Eyes With Chibitronics Reed Switches
In my latest tutorial, “Fred 2.0: Puppet with Color Changing Eyes,” I am giving a vintage bird puppet a makeover that includes glowing eyes that change colors with a tug of a feather. See how Fred transitions from frumpy to fabulous, with help from Chibitronics LED stickers! Learn how to create a circuit that uses […]
Create an Interactive Shadow Box with Chibitronics Reed Switches
In my latest tutorial, Reed Switch Shadow Box, I’ll show you how to use one or two reed switches (magnet on) to control lights (and the mood) in a story-telling shadow box! The example below uses two reed switches (magnet on). One triggers a path with white LEDs and the other triggers a path with […]
Brighten the Night with a Bookish Light using Chibitronics LED Stickers
In my latest tutorial, I’ll be sharing a Carousel Book Light that combines paper circuits with paper crafting to make a versatile structure that may be turned into a hanging ornament, tabletop display, or nightlight. Changing the colors of the LEDs or the paper you use, as well as the shapes you choose for the […]
Make a Light Up Leaf With LED Stickers (Video Tutorial)
Fall is a terrific time to get cozy around a warm fire and sip apple cider. And, if you’re lucky, it’s also a fantastic time to notice the subtle changes in nature, such as leaves changing color and drifting to the ground in crunchy, colorful piles! No matter where you might find yourself at this […]
Light Up a Dissolve Card with Chibitronics LED Stickers
In my latest tutorial, Dissolve Card: Light Up Picture Switcher, I’ll show you how to make a light-up version of a Victorian Era mechanism known as a dissolve, or dissolve card. This paper mechanics project combines a trick of the eye (and pictures that flip) with a little electronic trickery of our own — Circuit […]
Pop Up Rainbow Card With a Sliding Switch
In my newest tutorial, Rainbow Pop Up Card, we’ll be exploring a couple of eye-popping paper circuit techniques that are as good as gold! In addition to showing you how to create an interactive rainbow card that pops up and lights up when it’s opened, you’ll learn about an innovative sliding switch mechanism that may […]
UPDATE FROM SPAIN – CREATIVE SCHOOL LIBRARIES in GALICIA
A CONVERSATION with Educator, Creative Technologist and Designer PAOLA GUIMERANS (Spanish version here) Scaling expressive technologies for STEAM learning often starts in train-the-trainer workshops. Hands-on sessions with curious educators and their organizations introduce new materials and invite participants – typically coaches, program managers, teachers, and subject matter experts such as artists, introductory CS instructors, department […]
NOTICIAS DESDE ESPAÑA – BIBLIOTECAS ESCOLARES COMO CENTROS CREATIVOS DE APRENDIZAJE en GALICIA
UNA CONVERSACIÓN con la Educadora, Diseñadora y Tecnóloga Creativa, PAOLA GUIMERÁNS (Versión en inglés aquí) Determinar cuál puede ser la mejor aplicación de las tecnologías creativas para escalar el aprendizaje STEAM comienza a menudo en los talleres de formación para el profesorado. En estos talleres prácticos los y las docentes prueban nuevos materiales e invitan […]