Game Buzzers With Makey Makey

To make a game buzzer that can be used in any lesson.

Supplies

Makey Makey Classic, coloured cardboard, thick cardboard (box cut up), aluminium foil, glue, scissors

Step 1: Prepare Supplies

Cut 6 coloured pieces of card into squares with holes in them, I used a craft punch for the holes.

• red
• orange
• yellow
• green
• blue
• light blue

Cut 6 pieces of thicker cardboard as a base, the same size as the coloured cardboard, I used an old box.

Cut strips of aluminium foil, 3 cm longer than the square.

Educator Tip:

Don't cut the aluminium foil wider than your cardboard to ensure each button won't accidentally touch the other.

Step 2: Construct the Buttons

Stick the aluminium foil onto the thick cardboard, folding the longer part of the foil over 1 edge.

Stick the coloured card on top of the foil, so that the foil can be touched through the hole.

Repeat with the 5 other colours.

Step 3: Label the Buttons

Label the coding on the back of each coloured button.

red - a key

orange - s key

yellow - d key

green - f key

blue - g key

light blue (reset) - space bar

Step 4: Code Buzzer in Scratch

Remix or open my Game Buzzer Scratch projects:

Game Buzzer with scores

Game Buzzer no score

Step 5: Connect Makey Makey

1. Connect the Makey Makey to the computer via USB
2. Turn the Makey Makey over and connect the connector wires and alligator clips to the keys mentioned below and the buttons you have made, plus one to the space bar
3. Connect 5 earthed wires

• red - a key
• orange - s key
• yellow - d key
• green - f key
• blue - g key
• light blue (reset) - space bar

Step 6: Play a Game Using the Buzzers

Each child holds an earthed alligator clip and touches their coloured button.

If they have touched their button first, their colour will move to the centre of the screen and a sound will play.

To reset the buttons, press space bar.

When using the 'with scores' game, reset the scores to zero by clicking the green flag.