MISSION 02 · CREATIVE ENGINEERING
Can you turn a simple cup into a lantern that you designed yourself?
1 · Make It Strong
Your new skill: Give a simple structure a protected light source.
Revisit the skill you will reuse: Previous main-path mission
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.
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 small bulb changes electrical energy into light. Its holder makes reliable connections to the bulb.
Look for: Match the 6V bulb and holder named in this kit. It is different from an LED.
Before using it: Use the approved matching supply and wiring; a bulb can get warm. Disconnect and let it cool before touching or decorating near it.
Your turn: Find the holder terminals and plan an open space around the bulb.
A tray catches spills, cups hold samples or form a model, and a dry workspace protects our tools.
Look for: Choose the exact container and dry surface in the mission list.
Before using it: Experiment cups stay separate from food and drinks. Keep electronics away from liquids and clean up before storing parts.
Your turn: Show where a spill would land and where electrical parts will stay dry.
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. 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. Bulb and holder. A small bulb changes electrical energy into light. Its holder makes reliable connections to the bulb. Match the 6V bulb and holder named in this kit. It is different from an LED. Use the approved matching supply and wiring; a bulb can get warm. Disconnect and let it cool before touching or decorating near it. Tray cup and dry workspace. A tray catches spills, cups hold samples or form a model, and a dry workspace protects our tools. Choose the exact container and dry surface in the mission list. Experiment cups stay separate from food and drinks. Keep electronics away from liquids and clean up before storing parts. 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: Scissors help.
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 complete a simple light circuit and use openings, colour and shape to control how the light looks.
You have just practised improve a shape before adding material. Now: give a simple structure a protected light source.
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 8
Choose which side will be the front. Draw a simple window pattern before cutting anything.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Choose which side will be the front. Draw a simple window pattern before cutting anything.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
The battery supplies electrical energy. The switch opens or closes the path. When the path is complete, the bulb changes electrical energy into light and some heat. The lantern design controls where that light travels.
Lamps, signs, stage lights and emergency lights combine an electrical system with a designed cover.
FAIR-TEST CHALLENGE
Change one feature, keep the rest the same and repeat your comparison.
WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK YET
WHAT YOU NOTICE POSSIBLE REASON TRY THIS Bulb stays dark The path is open or a clip is loose Switch OFF; press each clip firmly and trace the full path. Bulb flickers A connection moves when the lantern is touched Secure the holder and route wires so they do not pull. Paper feels warm Paper is too close to the bulb Switch OFF; let it cool and increase the gap.
CLEAN, RESET AND STORE
Switch off and disconnect any battery. Remove tape gently to recover reusable parts; store electronics dry and free of glue.
NEXT SKILL
Use a removable contact as a repeatable signal.