MakeCode Cardboard Robots

Materials List

This page lists the electronics and crafts supplies you will need to build all the robots in my course BOTS 2: Make and Code Robots for kids or my teen course MakeCode Cardboard Robots.

Electronics (per person)

Must have:

• one (1) microcontroller board with USB data cable and battery case, such as Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or BBC Micro:bit

• three (3) alligator clip to male header jumper wires in different colors (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/3448)

• one or two (1-2) 9g micro servo motors (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/169)

• one or two (1-2) micro continuous rotation servo motors (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/2442)

• Optional: two (2) plastic wheels to fit micro rotation servo (or servos with wheels)

Additional suggested parts:

• alligator clips test leads (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/1008)

• conductive tape, copper or nylon with conductive glue (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/3961

• extra-long USB A to USB micro B data cable (such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111 or https://amzn.to/3bF6zU4)

Suggested Crafts Materials

Use what you have! Ideas include:

• sturdy cardboard or stiff paper for building, such as:

  • small corrugated cardboard mailing boxes

  • heavy and lightweight scrap pieces (cereal boxes, old postcards, index cards)

  • cardboard tubes

  • cardboard coasters (for wheels)

• adhesives, such as:

  • regular household tape, such as clear tape or masking tape

  • peel-and-stick Velcro dots — great for microcontroller boards

  • adhesive dots -- good for googly eyes and other decorations

  • Optional:

    • peel-and-stick double-sided tape

    • electrical tape

    • removable mounting squares (used for hanging posters)

    • hot glue gun (to be used outside of class)

• connectors, such as:

  • paper clips

  • metal brads

  • pipe cleaners

  • mini zip ties

  • wire, twist ties

  • paper or plastic straws

  • bamboo skewers, cocktail picks, and/or toothpicks

• cutting tools, such as:

  • scissors (preferably small, sharp scissors like sewing or nail scissors)

  • kid-friendly ceramic craft knives

  • sharp pencil (for poking holes)

• decorative materials, such as

  • colored markers

  • glitter glue

  • googly eyes

  • craft sticks in assorted sizes

  • large wooden or plastic beads

  • peel and stick craft foam

  • LEDs