Part 1: Can You Code With Makey Makey?

Coding. We know it can sound daunting, but we are here to tell you it doesn't have to be. Coding is all around us! When you get dressed in the morning you are coding. When you vacuum you are coding. When you make a salad you are coding. There are so many everyday activities that involve coding.

For this challenge, students will learn the basics of coding to help them better understand the technology around them.

What you need per student…

• Can You Code With Makey Makey? Creator Sheet
• Pen/Pencil

What you need per group...

• Cups 

What you need to do...

• Start by breaking students up into groups of three to four or solo if distance/virtual learning.
• Have students create a team name.
• Tell students that the objective of this challenge is to start off with the basics of coding and hopefully be able to use a Makey Makey by the end of part 2 of this challenge.
• We will start off with our Can You Code With Makey Makey? Creator Sheet, and students will describe EACH step they make when they get dressed for school.
• Remind students that EVERY movement that is made is considered a code, so they must write down each code. 
• After students have completed their directions for getting dressed, they will switch papers with a group member and have them follow the steps and see if anything was missed. (Remind them that even if they have to lift an arm, they have to put the arm back down)
• This piece is fun for the students because they start to understand that giving directions is super important in coding, or it will mess up the entire code. 
• Next, have students fill out the Plan For Cup Stacking Code on their Can You Code With Makey Makey? Creator Sheet
• Students will then gather together and take turns giving directions on stacking cups. 
• One student will give the code to another student to have a base of two cups and then one cup on top. (For this one they will see real life coding and how each movement is key)
• Students will take turns being the person giving the code and then following the code.
• Have students record the biggest challenge on both sides of coding.

We would love to see you try this STEM Challenge. Share your results with us through social media! Ready for part 2? Find it here. 

Happy Making,

Maker Maven