MISSION 04 · BASIC ELECTRONICS
Can you communicate without speaking by using short and long sounds?
2 · Give It a Job
Your new skill: Send a repeatable signal another person can decode.
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 -.
This reusable building board joins some holes with hidden metal strips, so we can connect parts without soldering.
Look for: Find the centre gap, row numbers and power rails. The gap separates the two halves.
Before using it: Five holes in one numbered strip usually join; the strip across the gap does not. Some power rails have a break. Match your board diagram.
Your turn: Point to two holes on the same connected strip, then two that are separated by the gap.
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.
Our active buzzer makes a sound when it receives suitable power. Short and long taps let us send a code.
Look for: Look for the sound opening and + mark; match its voltage range to the part card.
Before using it: An active buzzer has its own sound-making circuit. Switching it on and off changes the rhythm, not a musical pitch.
Your turn: Without powering it, point out + and -. Plan a short tap and a long tap.
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. Breadboard. This reusable building board joins some holes with hidden metal strips, so we can connect parts without soldering. Find the centre gap, row numbers and power rails. The gap separates the two halves. Five holes in one numbered strip usually join; the strip across the gap does not. Some power rails have a break. Match your board diagram. 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. Active buzzer. Our active buzzer makes a sound when it receives suitable power. Short and long taps let us send a code. Look for the sound opening and + mark; match its voltage range to the part card. An active buzzer has its own sound-making circuit. Switching it on and off changes the rhythm, not a musical pitch. 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
Find the + and - marks on the buzzer. Use brief sounds and disconnect the battery after the message.
YOUR REWARD
PREDICT BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What do you think will happen? Say it, point to it or draw it. Then test your idea.
YOUR CHALLENGE
NEW POWER-UP
Send a repeatable signal another person can decode.
You already know: a button opens and closes a circuit New power-up: timing patterns, buzzer polarity and Morse code This prepares you for: one control operating two outputs
Each coloured strip is one connected group. Different numbered rows stay separate. This explains the board; use the mission’s exact connection reference for component positions. Check rail breaks on your supplied board.
CONNECTION MAP
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 8
Place the push button so its working legs use separate breadboard strips.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Place the push button so its working legs use separate breadboard strips.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
The push button is a momentary switch. It closes the circuit only while you press it. Morse code turns timing patterns into information.
Early telegraph systems sent coded electrical signals over long distances.
FAIR-TEST CHALLENGE
Change one feature, keep the rest the same and repeat your comparison.
WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK YET
Likely cause: Buzzer polarity or battery path is wrong
Try this first: Power off, check + and -, then trace the complete path.
Likely cause: Button is bypassed or placed incorrectly
Try this first: Move the button across the breadboard centre gap or remove shortcut wires.
Likely cause: Loose connection or unsuitable power source
Try this first: Press wires firmly and use only the supplied battery for this mission.
CLEAN, RESET AND STORE
Switch off and disconnect all power. Let moving parts stop. Put the parts back in their kit compartments.
NEXT SKILL
Trace two outputs in one continuous path.