Introduction: Bits4Bots - Spooky Solar STEM House: Halloween Edition! Project Based Learning With Science & Engineering

By Bits4Bots, LLC
About: I enjoy designing 3D models and printed circuit boards. I am an Electrical Engineer. I will share some cool projects & try out a few! #innovator
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🎃🌞 Spooky Solar STEM House: Halloween Edition!🌞🎃

Get ready for a ghoulishly great time as we combine science, creativity, and Halloween spirit in our 'Spooky Solar STEM House' activity! Unleash your inner engineer as you build and decorate your very own haunted solar-powered house. Transform this DIY wooden solar kit into a bewitching abode, complete with a 3V motor powered by the sun! Learn about renewable energy while crafting a creepy masterpiece perfect for October's spookiest holiday. Join us for a fang-tastic fusion of STEM and Halloween fun - it's bound to be a hauntingly good time! 🏡🌟👻 #SolarSTEMHouse #HalloweenFun #STEMandSpooks 🧙‍♀️🔬🌞

Remember to supervise the elementary students during the assembly and testing process, especially when working with small parts and electrical components. Enjoy your solar DIY wood house project!

Follow us for more cool projects and visit us at www.bits4bots.com

Supplies

Solar Fan House STEM Kit

You do not have to buy a STEM kit you can also 3D print the Bits4Bots solar house & roof structure.

  • Assembly Process Instruction Sheet (English)
  • Wooden plates
  • Fan blade (link to motor & propellers)
  • Motor (link to motors only)
  • Solar panel (45mm x45mm)
  • Double-sided tape
  • Insulation caps
  • Sandpaper (to smooth rough edges)
  • Markers, crayons, color pencils, and stickers. (for Halloween or holiday edition)

Dollar Tree Store: $1.25USD each

  1. Crafter's Square Color Halloween Run-On Stickers
  2. Orange and Black LED Tea Lights, 3 ct.

Other resources: Solar House kits will vary in style.

Step 1: Tinkercad

Creating a 3D model of a solar house in Tinkercad can be a fun and educational project for elementary students. Here's a step-by-step process:


Sign In to Tinkercad

  1. Go to the Tinkercad website (www.tinkercad.com).
  2. Log in to your Tinkercad account or create a new one.
  3. Create a New Design
  4. Once logged in, click on "Create new design."
  5. Set the Workplane
  6. In the upper-right corner, you'll see the "Workplane" button. Click it.
  7. Hover over the face you want to set as the base of your house (e.g., the ground).
  8. Click to set the workplane.
  9. Create the Base of the House
  10. Click on the "Shapes" panel on the right side.
  11. Select the "Box" shape.
  12. Click and drag to draw a box on the workplane.
  13. In the properties panel, adjust the dimensions to 180mm x 116mm. (or smaller since 3D prints can take a while)

Add Windows

  1. Click on the "Shapes" panel.
  2. Select "Box" again.
  3. Draw a smaller box for the window on one side of the house.
  4. Duplicate this box (right-click, then select "Duplicate") to create another window on the opposite side.
  5. Resize and position the windows as needed.
  6. Add a Door
  7. Again, select the "Box" shape.
  8. Draw a rectangular shape for the door on one side of the house.
  9. Adjust its dimensions to fit appropriately.

Add Roof

  1. Click on the "Shapes" panel.
  2. Select "Wedge" or "Rounded Roof" shape.
  3. Resize and position it on top of your house. Rotate if necessary.

Color and Decorate

  1. Click on each shape and use the color selector to choose appropriate colors for walls, windows, roof, etc.
  2. Add other decorative elements as desired using shapes and resizing tools.

Review and Save

  1. Use the 3D view to look at your model from different angles.
  2. If everything looks good, click "Design" in the top left corner, and select "Download for 3D printing" to save your model.

Export or Share

  1. You can export the model as an STL file if you want to 3D print it. Otherwise, you can keep it saved in your Tinkercad account.

Remember to encourage creativity and experimentation. Tinkercad is a great platform for students to explore and learn about 3D modeling. Have fun!

Attachments

Step 2: Assemble the Windows

  1. Take out the wooden plates and locate the base plate and window pieces.
  2. Assemble the windows according to the side view provided.

Step 3: Assemble the House Structure

Assemble the house structure according to the front view provided.

Step 4: Install the Motor

Attach the motor to the house with the wire inside, making sure the motor shaft faces outside.

Step 5: Adhere the Solar Panel

Insert the solar panel wires through the hole in the wooden plate.

Step 6: Attach Top Plate

Place and attach the top plate (roof) onto the house.

Step 7: Connect Solar Panel

  1. Use double-sided tape to secure the solar panel onto the wooden plate.
  2. Connect the electric wires by twisting red to red (motor to solar panel) and black to black.
  3. Use insulation caps to secure the wire connections.

Step 8: Reattach Top Plate

Reattach the top plate onto the house.

Step 9: Attach Fan Blade

Attach the fan blade onto the motor.

Step 10: Test the Solar Circuit

  1. Take the solar house out in the sunshine to test the circuit. The solar panel will absorb sunlight, convert it into electricity, which will drive the motor, turning the fan.

Attachments

Step 11: Optional Halloween Edition

  1. Decorate the solar house using markers, crayons, color pencils, or any other craft supplies you have available.
  2. Turn it into a spooky haunted house for added fun!

We took construction paper and cut it to fit the windows, then placed Halloween themed sticker in the window. We also placed a flickering LED (battery powered light) inside the house to add a spooky effect!

Step 12: Conclusion

Great job! You've learned a lot about the solar-powered wooden house project. Keep up the good work!

Step 13: Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1: What does the solar panel do in the wooden house project?


A) Absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity  

B) Make the fan spin faster  

C) Paint the house with solar designs  

D) Keep the house warm in winter  


Answer: A) Absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity


Explanation: The solar panel in the wooden house project absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity. This electricity powers the motor, which makes the fan spin.


Question 2: Where is the motor placed in the wooden house?


A) Inside the solar panel  

B) Outside the house structure  

C) Inside the house structure, with the shaft facing outside  

D) On top of the fan blade  


Answer: C) Inside the house structure, with the shaft facing outside


Explanation: The motor is placed inside the house structure, with the shaft facing outside. This allows it to connect with the fan blade.


Question 3: What connects the solar panel to the wooden plate?


A) Insulation caps  

B) Double-sided tape  

C) Electrical wires  

D) Paint  


Answer: B) Double-sided tape


Explanation: Double-sided tape is used to attach the solar panel onto the wooden plate in the project.


Question 4: What happens when the solar circuit is tested in the sunshine?


A) The house gets warmer  

B) The fan spins  

C) The windows light up  

D) The motor stops working  


Answer: B) The fan spins


Explanation: When the solar circuit is tested in the sunshine, the solar panel converts sunlight into electricity, which powers the motor. The motor, in turn, makes the fan spin.


Question 5: What can you do to turn the solar house into a spooky haunted house?


A) Add more windows  

B) Decorate it with markers, crayons, and color pencils  

C) Replace the fan blade with a ghost  

D) Remove the solar panel  


Answer: B) Decorate it with markers, crayons, and color pencils


Explanation: To turn the solar house into a spooky haunted house, you can decorate it with markers, crayons, and color pencils. This allows you to add fun and spooky designs to the project.


Great job! You've learned a lot about the solar-powered wooden house project. Keep up the good work!

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