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Littlebits STEAM STUDENT SET Invention Manual
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Littlebits STEAM STUDENT SET Invention Manual

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STEAM
STUDENT SET
INVENTION GUIDE
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TEACHER'S GUIDE
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littleBits.cc/student-set

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Summary of Contents for Littlebits STEAM STUDENT SET

  • Page 1 STEAM DOWNLOAD THE TEACHER'S GUIDE STUDENT SET and other classroom resources at littleBits.cc/student-set INVENTION GUIDE...
  • Page 3 Your mission is to Continue INPUT into the Remix phase where creativity explore ways you could use littleBits to create Your Inventor WIRE really takes off. an invention that solves that problem.
  • Page 4 WE INVE WO R L D WANT TO...
  • Page 5 NT THE O LIVE IN.
  • Page 6 OPEN HARDWARE SYMBOL POWER (BLUE) WIRE (ORANGE) BUILD DIRECTION BIT NAME & LITTLEBITS LOGO Power Bits, plus a power Wire Bits connect to other supply, run power through systems and let you build i3 button your circuit.
  • Page 7 MAGNET MAGIC! ORDER IS IMPORTANT SOME BITS ARE ADJUSTABLE Bits snap together with magnets. The magnets are always come first and Switches, buttons, and dials on the board allow POWER BITS INPUT BITS always right – you can’t snap them together the only affect the that come after them.
  • Page 8 INDEX POWER INPUT WIRE OUTPUT ACCESS ORIES p1 power i3 button w1 wire o2 long LED a5 magnet shoes p3 USB power i5 slide dimmer w7 fork o3 RGB LED a6 hook & loop shoes i12 temperature w10 inverter o6 buzzer a9 mounting board sensor o11 servo...

  • Page 9: How It Works

    HOW IT WORKS The power Bit converts the 9 volts of electricity in the battery to the 5 volts that littleBits circuits run on. o2 LONG LED The power Bit also sends a signal through your circuit. Controlling this signal with inputs is how you control your circuit.
  • Page 10 p3 USB POWER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS Like the power Bit, the USB power Bit sends a 5 volt signal through your circuit, which allows you to control your Bits. Instructions for the projects o3 RGB LED in this Kit use the p1 power Bit, but you can use the USB power for all of them as well.
  • Page 11 i3 BUTTON SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The button is like a door. When you press it, the door opens, letting the signal pass through the Bit and on to the next Bits in the circuit. The button is a momentary switch, you must continue to press it for the signal to i3 BUTTON...
  • Page 12 i5 SLIDE DIMMER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS When the slider is all the way to the left, it’s sending an off or 0 volt signal. When the slider is all the o2 LONG LED way to the right, it’s sending a 5 volt signal.
  • Page 13 i12 TEMPERATURE SENSOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The temperature sensor takes a measurement from the environment and translates it into a signal. The higher the o21 NUMBER temperature it senses, the more signal it sends out to the following Bits (making p1 POWER lights brighter and motors turn faster).
  • Page 14 i 1 3 LIGHT SENSOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The light sensor measures how much light is shining on it. It has two modes. mode, as the o21 NUMBER LIGHT light shining on the sensor gets brighter, more signal passes through it (making p1 POWER lights brighter or motors...
  • Page 15 i 1 6 PULSE SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The pulse is a switch that opens and closes over and over again. When it's o2 LONG LED open, the signal from the previous Bit passes through to the next Bit. When the p1 POWER switch closes, the signal is blocked.
  • Page 16 w1 WIRE SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The wire doesn’t change the signal in any way – it just carries it over from one Bit o3 RGB LED to another. w1 WIRE p1 POWER MEET THE BIT The wire Bit has a flexible wire running between its two bitSnaps.
  • Page 17 w7 FORK SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The fork takes the incoming signal and sends it to all three output bitSnaps. o21 NUMBER o3 RGB LED w7 FORK p1 POWER o6 BUZZER MEET THE BIT The fork gives you more options for connecting your Bits; it lets you connect a single Bit to as many as three others.
  • Page 18 w10 INVERTER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS Anytime the inverter receives a signal lower than 50% power (2.5 volts) the inverter o3 RGB LED sends full power (5 volts) to the next Bit in the circuit. If the inverter receives a sig- w10 INVERTER nal greater than 2.5 volts, the inverter sends 0 volts to...
  • Page 19 o2 LONG LED SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS This Bit uses a light-emmiting diode (LED) to turn electricity into light. The more signal you send the Bit, the brighter the light shines. i3 BUTTON p1 POWER o2 LONG LED MEET THE BIT The long LED is a flexible lighting option.
  • Page 20 o3 RGB LED SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The RGB LED is actually three very small lights (a red, a blue, and a green o3 RGB LED light). Turning the dials Adjust the amount of red light changes the brightness of each light.
  • Page 21 o6 BUZZER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The buzzer converts the electrical signal it receives into a vibration, which o6 BUZZER creates a buzzing sound. The higher the signal it receives, the more intense i3 BUTTON the vibration, and the louder the sound is.
  • Page 22 o11 SERVO SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS Attach the servo The servo has two modes. In hub. See pg 26. mode, the input from TURN other Bits determines the i5 SLIDE DIMMER position of the hub – try using a dimmer to set the angle you want.
  • Page 23 o13 FAN SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS Inside the fan is a tiny motor. When it receives a signal, it spins. The more signal it i3 BUTTON receives, the faster it spins. p1 POWER MEET THE BIT o13 FAN Use the fan to create a gentle breeze, perfect for cooling things off .
  • Page 24 o21 NUMBER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The number Bit displays o21 NUMBER information about the signal it’s receiving. Reset bitSnap mode, the Bit can COUNT count or read count up or down when the MODE: Bit receives an input signal over 2.5 volts.
  • Page 25 o25 DC MOTOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS The DC (or “direct current”) i5 SLIDE DIMMER motor rotates a shaft when it receives a signal. The more signal it receives, the faster p1 POWER the motor will spin. A switch on the board lets you choose which direction the motor spins.
  • Page 26 HOW IT WORKS HOW IT WORKS PRESS DOWN ON BITSNAPS NOT First, snap together your Snap together your littleBits WHITE CIRCUIT BOARD. littleBits circuit. Then press circuit and press the feet of the feet of your Bits into the...
  • Page 27 Simply connect the cable fits most standard craft sticks from the power adapter to and the other fits thicker your littleBits USB power Bit papers like cardstock. LEGO (this only connects to the p3 axles fit right into the center.
  • Page 28 DC motor shaft, complex movements to your and offers lots of leverage littleBits inventions. for pushing, pulling, and throwing. USE A PHILLIPS HEAD SCREWDRIVER Connect to servo hub...
  • Page 29 It's a great of spinning inventions. way to keep the servo steady so the arm can go wild.
  • Page 30 THE LITTLEBITS INVENTION CYCLE What is the Invention Cycle? The Invention Cycle is a roadmap for your invention journey. Each phase is full of activities and questions that help you explore your ideas and develop your invention. DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE INVENTION...
  • Page 31 Keep your eyes open for these Some Bits have a switch that off switch. This icon will let you bits of littleBits wisdom. These tips This icon will tell you when to use Use the purple screwdriver to Use the purple screwdriver to changes how the Bit works.
  • Page 32 PROTOTYPING TIPS A prototype is a model that helps you test an idea. This WHAT’S A PROTOTYPE, YOU ASK? is the first step in turning your ideas into actual inventions. Building a prototype helps you learn what you like, what works, and what needs more figuring out. You’ll be building a lot of prototypes during the challenges in this booklet.
  • Page 33 THE WORLD AROUND YOU IS FULL OF MATERIALS FOR PROTOTYPING AND CREATING At littleBits, we dig through our recycling bins all the time to collect stuff for INVENTIONS. our projects. In fact, the very first prototype of a Bit was made with cardboard, copper tape, and a few electronic components like LEDs.
  • Page 34 INVENT A CHALLENGE 01 SELF-DRIVING MINUTES (MINIMUM) VEHICLE TIME LEVEL START BY BUILDING THE CIRCUIT CRUISER, A VEHICLE THAT Add extra features GETS AROUND ON TWO DC MOTORS. to this lean, mean, mobile machine. Use it to deliver school supplies to your friends, help your teacher pass out papers, or wake up your sleeping classmate.
  • Page 35 BUILD YOUR CIRCUIT. w1 WIRE o25 DC MOTOR o25 DC MOTOR p1 POWER i5 SLIDE DIMMER...
  • Page 36 PRESS THE WHEELS ONTO THE DC MOTORS. PRESS YOUR CIRCUIT ONTO THE MOUNTING BOARD. LINE UP THE FLAT EDGE OF THE DC MOTOR SHAFT WITH THE FLAT EDGE OF THE CENTER HOLE IN THE WHEEL. 025 DC motor: DC motor: Closeup...
  • Page 37 ATTACH THE BATTERY TO THE MOUNTING BOARD NEXT TO THE SLIDE DIMMER. PRESS THE MOTORS ONTO THE MOUNTING BOARD. USE A RUBBER BAND OR MASKING TAPE TO ATTACH THE BATTERY.
  • Page 38 With the slide dimmer set all the way up, the car SET THE FIRST DC MOTOR TO CCW (COUNTERCLOCKWISE) AND THE TEST YOUR CIRCUIT. should move forward. Troubleshooting pg 71. SECOND DC MOTOR TO CW (CLOCKWISE). DIRECTION: 025 DC motor: 025 DC motor: DIRECTION: 021 number:...
  • Page 39 HOW IT WORKS sends a signal through the circuit. o25 DC MOTOR p1 POWER Control the direction your car drives by receives the signal from the power and w1 WIRE flipping the mode switches. Because the sends it along to the slide dimmer. motors face opposite directions, they need to be set in opposite spin modes to controls how much power goes to...
  • Page 40 “remote” control. and show them how it could accomplish some character! that function. • Use LEGO to build a bigger car or ® even a train. SHARE YOUR INVENTION ON THE LITTLEBITS APP OR WEBSITE...
  • Page 41 INVENT CHALLENGE 02 AN ART MINUTES (MINIMUM) MACHINE TIME LEVEL – a bot made with START BY CREATING A DOODLE WIZARD DC motors, and a pulse that dances, wiggles, and draws up a storm. Add your own artistic flair by changing up some of the Bits and materials to create unique masterpieces.
  • Page 42 BUILD YOUR CIRCUIT. i16 PULSE p1 POWER o25 DC MOTOR o25 DC MOTOR...
  • Page 43 ATTACH THE WHEELS TO THE DC MOTORS. PRESS YOUR CIRCUIT ONTO THE MOUNTING BOARD. LINE UP THE FLAT EDGE OF THE DC MOTOR SHAFT WITH THE FLAT EDGE OF THE CENTER HOLE IN THE WHEEL. ATTACH BATTERY TO THE MOUNTING BOARD. 025 DC motor: DC motor: Closeup...
  • Page 44 ATTACH MOTORS TO THE MOUNTING BOARD. SET THE PULSE SPEED TO THE SLOWEST SETTING. SPEED: "–" FULLY COUNTER- CLOCKWISE ADJUST MOTOR MODES. DIRECTION: 021 number: 025 DC motor: read volts CCW motors...
  • Page 45 When you turn the ATTACH THE MARKER. TEST YOUR CIRCUIT. power on, one wheel should spin all the time while the other one alternates USE A RUBBER BAND between spinning and stopping. OR MASKING TAPE TO ATTACH THE MARKER. Troubleshooting pg 71. POWER: MAKE SURE THE TIP OF THE MARKER...
  • Page 46 HOW IT WORKS sends a signal through the circuit. i16 PULSE p1 POWER The speed dial controls how fast the pulse The fi rst receives that signal and spins at o25 DC MOTOR flips on and off . Adjusting it will change how full speed in one direction.
  • Page 47 • Attach multiple drawing tools to use • What happens when you add or swap masterpiece. • Which adjustments make your favorite at once. an input? drawings? • Try the Doodle Wizard on different SHARE YOUR INVENTION drawing surfaces. ON THE LITTLEBITS APP OR WEBSITE.
  • Page 48 INVENT A CHALLENGE 03 THROWING HOUR (MINIMUM) TIME LEVEL START BY BUILDING A LAUNCHER THAT FLINGS PROJECTILES WITH A SERVO AT THE PRESS OF A BUTTON. Set up a tower of cups and try to knock them over. Then modify your launcher to make it even more accurate, powerful, or speedy.
  • Page 49 BUILD YOUR CIRCUIT. Attach the servo hub. See pg 26. i3 BUTTON p1 POWER o11 SERVO...

  • Page 50: Servo Mode

    PRESS SERVO INTO THE SERVO MOUNT AND SCREW IN. PRESS THE SERVO MOUNT ONTO THE MOUNTING BOARD AND ADJUST SERVO MODE. USE PHILLIPS HEAD SCREWDRIVER. MODE: i12 temp. i12 temp. TURN sensor: sensor: Fahrenheit celsius mode mode i13 light i13 light sensor: sensor: light mode...

  • Page 51: Mechanical Arm

    WITH POWER ON, CONNECT THE MECHANICAL ARM TO THE SERVO HUB MAKE A BUCKET FOR THE LAUNCHER. AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE MOUNTING BOARD, AS SHOWN. USE PHILLIPS HEAD SCREWDRIVER. TAPE THE BUCKET TO THE FREE END OF THE MECHANICAL ARM.
  • Page 52 CRUMPLE UP A HALF SHEET OF NOTEBOOK PAPER TO LAUNCH. Pressing the button should TEST YOUR CIRCUIT. rotate the mechanical arm. Troubleshooting pg 71. TEST YOUR CIRCUIT.
  • Page 53 HOW IT WORKS sends a signal to the button. p1 POWER When pressed, the lets the signal through to i3 BUTTON the servo. When the gets the signal, it turns, rotating the o11 SERVO arm and throwing the projectile. a23 MECHANICAL ARM The farther you place your cup from the servo hub, the faster it will swing.
  • Page 54 INVENTION thrown the farthest? How does the size • Creating a moving target with one of the ON THE LITTLEBITS APP and shape affect the distance traveled? motors and the other mechanical arm. OR WEBSITE. • What happens when you change the bucket...
  • Page 55 INVENT A CHALLENGE 04 SECURITY HOUR (MINIMUM) DEVICE TIME LEVEL a6 - hook & loop shoes START BY MAKING THE BACKPACK ALARM WITH THE LIGHT a1 - battery & cable This light-sensitive alarm SENSOR, PULSE, AND BUZZER. will alert you if someone is snooping around your stuff. Customize your alarm for different places around the school.
  • Page 56 BUILD YOUR CIRCUIT. i13 LIGHT SENSOR o6 BUZZER p1 POWER i16 PULSE...
  • Page 57 SET THE MODE AND SENSITIVITY OF THE LIGHT SENSOR. SET THE PULSE SPEED TO THE SLOWEST SETTING. SPEED: "–" FULLY COUNTER- SENSITIVITY: CLOCKWISE FULLY CLOCKWISE MODE: i12 temp. LIGHT sensor: Fahrenheit mode i13 light sensor: light mode PRESS HOOK & LOOP SHOES ONTO YOUR CIRCUIT. o11 servo: swing mode a6 - hook &...
  • Page 58 PLACE THE ALARM INSIDE YOUR BACKPACK. POWER: PRO TIP: TRY USING THE HOOK & LOOP STRIP TO KEEP YOUR CIRCUIT IN PLACE. The buzzer should BUZZ when your circuit is TEST YOUR CIRCUIT. exposed to light, and stop buzzing when it is completely covered up. You may need to adjust the sensitivity of your light sensor to get it just right.
  • Page 59 i13 - light sensor HOW IT WORKS i13 LIGHT SENSOR sends a signal through the circuit. p1 POWER Some bags might not be totally dark inside. If your alarm sounds even in the bag, try is in light mode. When the alarm i13 LIGHT SENSOR turning the sensitivity dial down (counter- is inside your bag, no light hits the sensor, so it doesn’t...
  • Page 60 INVENTION adjusting the sensitivity of the light sensor. ON THE out the lights. LITTLEBITS APP OR WEBSITE. • Adjust the speed of the pulse Bit to change how fast the alarm sounds. What setting do you think makes the best alarm?
  • Page 61 HACK YOUR CHALLENGE 05 You spend a lot of USE BITS AND YOUR WITS TO MAKE THE CLASSROOM OF THE FUTURE. time in your school and classroom. How can you make it even more fun to be there? CLASSROOM Pinpoint something that could be easier, especially exciting, or that you wish existed. Use your expertise to design an invention that makes school extra awesome.
  • Page 62 Maybe it’s something a lot of people CREATE A LIST OF WAYS YOU COULD MAKE SELECT THE ISSUE YOU WANT TO WORK ON. Need ideas? Ask feel strongly about, or that you find particularly interesting. YOUR CLASSROOM BETTER. your friends or teachers about what bothers them or what they’d like improved.
  • Page 63 WITH YOUR INVENTION TO TEST IT OUT. SHARE YOUR INVENTION ON THE LITTLEBITS APP OR WEBSITE. Set up your invention in the Show what classroom life was like TEST YOUR PROTOTYPE. DID PLAYING WITH YOUR INVENTION GO THE WAY YOU CREATE A SHORT COMIC.
  • Page 64 CHALLENGE 06 How does a INVENT A PRODUCT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE. product get invented? Here at littleBits we use the Invention Cycle! When it’s time to GOOD create a new kit we go through the same process that you do. We brainstorm, create...
  • Page 65 Start It could be the one that sounds the CREATE A LIST OF IDEAS FOR A PRODUCT. SELECT THE ISSUE YOU WANT TO WORK ON. by thinking about where there are frustrations most fun to solve, or creates the biggest difference in someone else’s life. or difficulties in someone’s life.
  • Page 66 SHARE YOUR INVENTION ON THE LITTLEBITS APP OR WEBSITE. The first product tester will be TEST YOUR PROTOTYPE. DID PLAYING WITH YOUR INVENTION GO THE WAY YOU CREATE A SKIT, A PRINT, OR VIDEO ADVERTISEMENT you. Pretend you are a customer who just purchased your Now’s your chance to experiment with fixes...
  • Page 67 Page Flipper INVENT A CHAIN CHALLENGE 07 Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist PERFORM A VERY SIMPLE TASK IN A NOT-SO-SIMPLE WAY. who liked to draw really complicated solutions to very simple problems. For example, to turn REACTION the page of a book, you might roll a ball down a ramp that hits a box. Then the box falls over and scares a hamster that starts running on its wheel, that winds up a string that turns the page.
  • Page 68 CREATE A LIST OF EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES THAT SELECT THE EVERYDAY ACTIVITY YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH. For example, dropping Which one do you think will be the most fun for this challenge? ONLY TAKE ONE STEP. a can in the recycling bin, flipping on a light switch, or opening a book.
  • Page 69 SHARE YOUR INVENTION ON THE LITTLEBITS APP OR WEBSITE. Getting all of these moving pieces TEST YOUR PROTOTYPE. DID PLAYING WITH YOUR INVENTION GO THE WAY YOU TAKE A VIDEO OF YOUR INVENTION AND POST IT TO to work together is going to be a challenge. Try running Now’s your chance to experiment with fixes...
  • Page 70 Recycler Reminder HACK YOUR CHALLENGE 08 CREATE AN INVENTION TO TRACK YOUR DAILY HABITS, THEN TRANSFORM YOUR How much use does your classroom’s recycling bin INVENTION TO MAKE LIFE BETTER. HABITS get? Maybe you could invent something to encourage people to use it more often! How many times a day do you have to go back to your locker because you forgot HOURS (MINIMUM)
  • Page 71 Is there one that makes CREATE A LIST OF THINGS YOU OR YOUR SELECT THE HABIT YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT. you the most happy, passionate, or upset? It’s always good to work on something CLASSMATES DO THAT YOU WANT TO KNOW Maybe it’s a habit you’d like to that means a lot to you.
  • Page 72 H  -  e SHARE YOUR INVENTION ON THE LITTLEBITS APP OR WEBSITE. To get it working reliably, it will TEST YOUR PROTOTYPE. DID PLAYING WITH YOUR INVENTION GO THE WAY YOU COMPARE THE TRACKING INFORMATION FROM BEFORE probably take a bit of adjusting and redesigning. Once you Now’s your chance to experiment with fixes...

  • Page 73: Troubleshooting

    (like your slide dimmer before the temperature sensor, cause the light sensor to send jittery signals. Visit littleBits.cc/faq or contact our customer sleeve). Sometimes dust gets in the way slide the dimmer all the way up.
  • Page 74 CONTINUE YOUR INVENTOR JOURNEY EXPLORE LITTLEBITS.CC AND THE LITTLEBITS INVENT APP FOR... The inventing doesn’t stop here! MORE INVENTIONS! COMMUNITY See what other Inventors Find a local littleBits Chapter have made with littleBits. or share your questions and Discover new friends, new ideas on our forum.
  • Page 76 POWER USB POWER RGB LED BUZZER MOTOR TEMPERATURE BUTTON LONG LED SENSOR SERVO & HUB PULSE LIGHT SENSOR NUMBER STEAM STUDENT ACCESSORIES 9V battery & cable USB power adapter & cable hook & loop strips (x2) SLIDE DIMMER INVERTER mechanical arms (x3) motorMates (x4) mounting boards (x2) screws (x4)