Learn about basic circuitry and how switches work to connect a circuit that will send a signal to the Makey Makey controller.
Design an interface or holder for the button switches using 3D modeling to create a custom shape or controller that can be connected to a PC to send commands.
Students should be familiar with electronic wiring as we will be using the Makey Makey board and connect wires to its inputs/ground traces to create connections. A link to a video from the company that makes Makey Makeys is include below as a guide to teach students if needed.
Once students are familiar with how making circuits and connections work, we can move on to adding switches. You can make your own switches or buy them online, depending on your use case. It would be a simple matter of connecting the button's wires with the alligator clips so no soldering or hot work would be needed. There are additional methods of creating your own DIY switches (using a paper clip, using aluminum foil, using a pencil lead circuit, etc.) that can be found the Makey Makey tutorials.
If buying pre-made switches (ex. I used some from Amazon, link below), students will need to be able to measure out the physical dimensions of the button switch so they can 3D model a housing for it. I recommend TinkerCAD due to its free (with registration) and easy browser based interface. You will also need to buy appropriately sized springs if you are making rather large controller/interfaces to support the extra weight and volume of the 3D components, which are available online or at local hardware stores. Students will need to be able to independently design on TinkerCAD and use tools such as sizing, aligning, grouping, with positive and negative volumes.
After printing out the parts, you will need to assemble and glue the components together to the button switch. Depending on how big you want your controller to be, you can 3D print everything or build a separate housing for it. Construction skills will be required, varying from levels of cardboard box with a hole and 3D printed parts to house a switch or as complex as a wood working week long project with even decals from a vinyl cutter.
The idea of this project is to incorporate the Makey Makey as an easy way to introduce electronics and circuitry to student's projects. There is no need to use coding and there is freedom in how big or small you create the controller. Also since you are building an USB based controller, you can connect it to the PC directly and use it as the base for multiple games or applications as it will function all the same.
The second object of the project is to understand how to design, reverse engineer and 3D model practical parts to fit real world objects. Once you measure out the dimension of an object, you will recreate it virtually and then print it out to test it. This is actually one of the most difficult and time consuming processes that will require revisions and reprints until you finally end up with a satisfying working product.
3D printer
Makey Makey kit (comes with the board, USB connection, and alligator clips)
Switches (can be bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08JHVLK84) or created: https://makeymakey.com/blogs/how-to-instructions/lesson-eight-crafting-and-designing-switches
Wiring/circuitry: You may need additional wiring to extend or add more elements to your design. Sometimes something as simple as a pencil drawn circuit: https://makeymakey.com/blogs/how-to-instructions/lesson-four-draw-a-playable-instrument can work out
Project time will depend on complexity and size of the project but as a sample we can think of using a standard momentary push button switch that you see in arcade machines. We would need to measure out the widest diameter of the base and the diameter of the bottom screw component. This process will only take a few minutes.
After, design in TinkerCAD a shape that will accommodate the switch. This could take the rest of whole class and then more time will be required to print out each button switch housing.
When all the button housings are finished printing, you can glue them onto a surface or just use as is on top of a table. Then using the Makey Makey and aligator clips, connect the wires to make circuits, connnec the Makey Makey controller to a computer, and then utilize a program/application that will use the buttons. Depending on what application or software you are using, it may take additional time to map out the controls. This step will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Then use the rest of the time to play games, emulate a Jeopardy game, or use as a co-operative exercise. Feel free to refer to the Makey Makey website's resources for additional ideas: https://makeymakey.com/pages/how-to
First teach the students what a Makey Makey is, how it works using a simple demonstration, and explain how a circuit is created and used to make an input switch work. There is an official video from the creators that outlines how to use a Makey Makey for the first time:
Next, and more importantly, think of how to use the Makey Makey. Will you be making a large to-scale NES controller to play games on the computer, or will you be making a drum set that can be customized, or will you be making some new controller interface system for a game using your head to control it, or making a jeopardy podium to replicate it in a classroom. Honestly it could be a new topics using the Makey Makey controller every month since its versatility allows you to use the same hardware for multiple projects (just like a 3D printer!).
If making your own switches, you can be as creative as you like, just as long as you are able to connect the ground with the control trace and complete the circuit, that will send a signal to the computer. I found common materials like cardboard (serves as the base structure), rubber bands(acts as a insulator and space between contact points), and aluminum foil (used as a conductor/source point for the wiring) as easy materials to start with. Once you have a prototype, you can move on to 3D printed components to make it more viable.
Project time will depend on complexity and size of the project but as a sample we can use a standard momentary push button switch that you see in arcade machines that is cheap and easily accessible. We would need to measure out the widest diameter of the base and the diameter of the bottom screw component.
After, design in TinkerCAD a hole on to a basic cylinder or box shape that is slightly smaller than the widest diameter base but bigger than the diameter of the screw threads. This will allow the button to stay placed on top of the hole without falling into the hole while have the threads and wiring below. Include an smaller outlet at the base to allow the wiring to exit the shape while the shape can remain flush on the surface. After that print out the object and install the button. This procedure will be outlined in the .pdf included in the project files.
You can then continue to make more button holders or just allow students to combine their own individual designs to create a single controller with the help of many students. Just make sure to give the students a pre-determined height parameter limit so they will have all the button switches the same level.
After that connect the wiring from the button switches to the Makey Makey to use on an application of choice.
This will result in a functional example of having a customizable external switch. Using this base idea, I was able to create a to-scale large table sized NES controller that works. It is meant for two people to play at once (one person uses the controls, while the other runs and jumps) which is great for Freshman orientation when meeting new people who can become friends with teamwork to set a speed record on the first level of Mario and win a 3D printed Golden Mushroom trophy.
The author marked this model as their own original creation.