The Stackinator!

In this easy project, players compete to stack coins or metal washers by hand and turn on the lights of an illuminated Bargraph.

Age Range: 6-12

littleBits Used:

                Battery

                Battery Cable

                Power Module

                Pressure Sensor

                Bargraph

You’ll also need:

   
Things to stack—coins or metal washers are a good place to start

    A small piece of thin cardboard

Assembly:

 
Snap the modules together in the following order: Battery >> Battery Cable >> Power Module >> Pressure Sensor >> Bargraph

1. First connect the Battery, the Battery Cable  and the Power Module.

2. Cut a circle of cardboard that is less than ½ inch in diameter. Use it between the Pressure Sensor and the coins as a base or target for stacking your coins or washers. A tight stack means more pressure—and more lights!

3. Adjust the Pressure Sensor so it rests flat on your work surface.

4. Connect the Bargraph. Assembly complete!

         
Tip: Rotate the Battery Cable in the Power Module socket. If that doesn’t work, try very gently bending the Pressure Sensor where it connects to its board. (The board is breakable, so be careful.)

The Stackinator at Work:

Here’s what’s going on: The Pressure Sensor acts as a regulator, allowing electricity to flow from the Battery to the Bargraph. The more weight on the Pressure Sensor, the higher the power flow. The higher the power flow, the more lights on the Bargraph, from 1 (very little weight and power) to 5 (maximum weight and power). 

Game On:

Here’s how to use the Stackinator in a fun game. Fill a small bowl with loose change. Have each player grab a handful of coins. In turn, players stack their coins by hand on the Pressure Sensor board, seeing how many lights they can power before their stack topples.

1 light      =              1 point 

2 lights    =              2 points 

3 lights    =              4 points 

4 lights    =              8 points 

5 lights    =              16 points

The first player to reach 50 points wins.

After you place a coin on the Pressure Sensor, no touching or adjusting! Part of the challenge is to stack straight the first time.

For extra excitement …

                
Add a time limit for each player’s turn.

Attach the Vibrating Motor to the end of the littleBits, then tape the motor to the play surface near your Stackinator. As you add more coins to the Pressure Sensor and more lights come on, the motor will increase its vibrations, making it harder and harder to build a straight stack.

for even more fun activities for  your littlebits Kit visit: wired.com/littleBits