MISSION 03 · CREATIVE ENGINEERING
Can you send a message using only short and long flashes?
2 · Make It Communicate
Your new skill: Use a removable contact as a repeatable signal.
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 push button changes an electrical connection while you press it. It gives our circuit a short instruction.
Look for: Match the two-leg or four-leg part to the supplied card. It springs back when released.
Before using it: Our instructions specify the working pair of terminals. A four-leg button has internally joined pairs, so do not guess which pair switches.
Your turn: Press and release it without power. Predict which state will make our signal turn on.
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 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. Push button. A push button changes an electrical connection while you press it. It gives our circuit a short instruction. Match the two-leg or four-leg part to the supplied card. It springs back when released. Our instructions specify the working pair of terminals. A four-leg button has internally joined pairs, so do not guess which pair switches. 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. 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: No special 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 create a momentary contact, practise Morse-style timing and design a readable code card.
You have just practised give a simple structure a protected light source. Now: use a removable contact as a repeatable signal.
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 8
Build a small flat base from craft sticks and let it dry.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Build a small flat base from craft sticks and let it dry.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
A momentary switch closes the circuit only while you press it. Information is carried by the length and spacing of each flash, not by changing the electrical parts.
Telegraphs, signal lamps and digital communication all use agreed patterns to represent information.
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 Light stays on The contact is permanently touching Separate the contact so it closes only when pressed. Flashes are hard to read Pauses are too short Leave a clear pause between letters. Light is dim Loose connection or weak battery Press clips firmly and test the battery in Mission 1 circuit.
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
Make a rolling chassis before adding air propulsion.