OPTIONAL CHALLENGE 01 · CREATIVE ENGINEERING
Can you build a small machine that moves invisible air toward you?
Optional · Try Another Angle
Your new skill: Extend a main-path idea without making the course longer.
Match the names to your parts before you build. New parts appear when you first need them. You can point, say the name or show a grown-up.
A battery supplies energy that can make a light glow or a motor turn. A holder keeps its connections in place.
Look for: Find the + and - marks and the matching holder or snap connector.
Before using it: Use only the supply named in this mission. Never join + straight to -; disconnect before rewiring.
Your turn: With power disconnected, trace the path from + through the parts and back to -.
A wire makes an electrical connection between two points. A clip lead grips a terminal.
Look for: Jumpers have small plug ends; clip leads have metal jaws. Colour helps us track a connection.
Before using it: Colour does not change a wire's job. Check both ends and keep bare metal away from other terminals.
Your turn: Follow one wire from start to finish and name what it joins.
A switch opens or closes a path and stays in the position you choose.
Look for: Find its labelled terminals and the ON and OFF positions.
Before using it: Keep an off-board switch outside the breadboard as instructed; use leads to its terminals. Rewire only with power disconnected.
Your turn: Move it to OFF, then trace the place where it stops the circuit path.
A DC motor changes electrical energy into turning motion. A fitted fan moves air as it turns.
Look for: Find the motor shaft and two terminals. The fan must fit securely.
Before using it: Use the named motor supply. Keep fingers, hair and loose items away; let it stop before changing leads. Never power a motor from an Uno signal pin.
Your turn: Predict what changes if the motor leads are reversed. Test only when the mission tells you to.
These are our building materials. Shape and arrangement can change how a structure holds a load.
Look for: Sort sticks by size and choose the paper stated in the mission.
Before using it: Keep the same material for a fair comparison. Ask for adult help with cutting and remove splinters.
Your turn: Predict whether a flat sheet and a folded sheet will hold the same load.
Glue and tape join parts. A stretched or twisted rubber band can store energy for a small moving model.
Look for: Find the joining material and band named in the mission.
Before using it: Let glue set; use small gentle twists and never aim a stretched band at anyone. Change only the joint or band test the mission names.
Your turn: Point to a joint that must stay fixed and a part that must stay free to move.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Before we build, match these names to the parts in front of you. Battery and holder. A battery supplies energy that can make a light glow or a motor turn. A holder keeps its connections in place. Find the + and - marks and the matching holder or snap connector. Use only the supply named in this mission. Never join + straight to -; disconnect before rewiring. Jumper wire and clip lead. A wire makes an electrical connection between two points. A clip lead grips a terminal. Jumpers have small plug ends; clip leads have metal jaws. Colour helps us track a connection. Colour does not change a wire's job. Check both ends and keep bare metal away from other terminals. ON OFF switch. A switch opens or closes a path and stays in the position you choose. Find its labelled terminals and the ON and OFF positions. Keep an off-board switch outside the breadboard as instructed; use leads to its terminals. Rewire only with power disconnected. DC motor and fan. A DC motor changes electrical energy into turning motion. A fitted fan moves air as it turns. Find the motor shaft and two terminals. The fan must fit securely. Use the named motor supply. Keep fingers, hair and loose items away; let it stop before changing leads. Never power a motor from an Uno signal pin. Craft sticks and paper. These are our building materials. Shape and arrangement can change how a structure holds a load. Sort sticks by size and choose the paper stated in the mission. Keep the same material for a fair comparison. Ask for adult help with cutting and remove splinters. Glue tape and rubber bands. Glue and tape join parts. A stretched or twisted rubber band can store energy for a small moving model. Find the joining material and band named in the mission. Let glue set; use small gentle twists and never aim a stretched band at anyone. Change only the joint or band test the mission names. Pause and point to the part that will do the main job in this mission. If it is missing or looks different, ask a grown-up before building.
WHAT YOU'LL USE
Kit list: match the named parts to your box and its component cards. Home list: gather these before starting; some may also be supplied in your kit. Reuse components between missions. Stop and ask a grown-up if an essential part or label is missing.
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Follow the Creative Engineering safety rules. Adult help: Blade check.
YOUR REWARD
PREDICT BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What do you think will happen? Say it, point to it or draw it. Then test your idea.
BEFORE YOU BUILD
• Read every step before using glue. • Lay out the structure without glue first. • Mark centre lines, axle positions or wire routes. • Check the adult-help label at the start of the mission. • Keep moving and electrical parts removable where possible.
PAUSE AND CHECK
Can the moving part turn, slide or balance in your dry layout? Fix the geometry now. Glue only after the movement makes sense.
YOUR CHALLENGE
NEW POWER-UP
You will build a braced frame, attach a motor safely and learn that reversing motor wires reverses its direction.
You already know how a battery and switch control an output. Now the output will be a motor.
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 9
Lay two large sticks parallel. Place two cross-sticks between them to form a wide base. Check the shape before gluing.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Lay two large sticks parallel. Place two cross-sticks between them to form a wide base. Check the shape before gluing.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
A motor uses magnetic forces to turn its shaft. The blade pushes air. The brace stops the frame from bending, and the wide base keeps the centre of mass over the support area.
Cooling fans, ventilation systems and many robots use a motor mounted on a stable structure.
WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK YET
WHAT YOU NOTICE POSSIBLE REASON TRY THIS Motor does not move Open circuit or weak connection Switch OFF and trace battery → switch motor battery. → → Motor hums Blade rubs or is pushed too tightly Disconnect power and move the blade slightly away from the motor body. Fan tips Base is narrow or top-heavy Widen the base and add a second brace.
CLEAN, RESET AND STORE
Switch off and disconnect all power. Let moving parts stop. Put the parts back in their kit compartments.