A realistic controller for playing snowboarding games online.

If you are a snowboarder and want to shred during the summer you can do it online. There are a number of games that emulate snowboarding.

Snowboard King is an example. http://www.crazygames.com/game/snowboard-king

The problem is the game is controlled by the keyboard, not very realistic for a snowboarder.

The challenge is to use a real snowboard to control the game.

Supplies

What you will need:

a) Snowboard

b) Makey Makey

c) Cardboard

d) Tinfoil

e) Tape

f) Golf ball

g) Glue

h) Tennis ball

Step 1:

Wrap the golf ball in tin foil. You will need a 14 cm circle of tin foil. You can cut wedges out of it so it will wrap around the ball with fewer “edges”

Step 2:

Make a cardboard base 10 cm by 27 cm. Cut two pieces of cardboard 4 cm by 27 cm. Fold them in half on the long axis, leaving you a 2 cm base and a 2 cm “wall.” Glue these to the base leaving a 4.5 cm space for the golf ball to roll in.

Step 3:

Now you need to make the end switches. To do this glue a piece of tin foil 4 cm by 8 cm to the end of the base.
Cut out a small rectangle in the foil so the upper part of the switch could be glued to the base.

Step 4:

Cut two 4 cm by 5.5 cm pieces of cardboard. Bend in the middle leaving a 2.5 cm base and 2.5 cm standing up. Glue foil to the top 2 cm, carry it around to the back.

Step 5:

Glue one piece in each end of the rectangle. You just completed the switches.

Step 6:

Wire your switches to the Makey Makey. To connect the top part of the switch, use a pencil to make a small hole in the side of the rectangle. That keeps the alligator clip out of the way. These can be connected to the Left and Right arrows on the Makey Makey. The foil on the base can be connected to the Earth on the Makey Makey.

Step 7:

With tape mount the switch on the tail of the snowboard.

Step 8:

Make a simple switch to place under the tail of the snowboard. To do this cut a piece of cardboard 16 cm wide and 24 cm long. Fold the cardboard leaving a 12 cm base and a 12 cm top. Glued tin foil to the top and bottom, making sure you have enough contact when the switch was closed to function. Notice that the tin foil is off set the foil so the alligator clips do not short out the connection.