Panther Night Lights

big idea: get the kid's into cricket programming by constructing thier own night lights. the activity requires l.e.d. programming proficiency and encourages individual artistic creativity.

date: monday, may 8th and wednesday, may 10th

groups participating: panther boy's and girl's club teens

attendance: 8 teens

materials-

software: logoblocks

hardware: laptops, transfer wires, transfer crickets, crickets, bus cables, l.e.d.'s

other: hole punchers, scotch tape, 1 black sharpie per student, at least 4 plastic translucent (fogged) shot cups per student, and at least 4 translucent (fogged) picnic cups per student

directions: drill hole in bottom of two shot cups. tape them bottom to bottom and secure l.e.d. through both holes therefor making an l.e.d. stand. tape third shot cup over exposed l.e.d. finally draw a negetive drawing on outside of large cup and place over l.e.d. stand (see www.pienetwork.org/a2z/n/nightlight/ for details).

associated skills: cricket programming, l.e.d. programming, craft and drawing skills

associated concepts: relating l.e.d.'s in everyday life (ie. cellphones, beepers) to thier own programming ability, confidence in creating a work of art

best part: high fivin' after final product works for the first time

hardest part: as usual, getting them started, but having an example for this project when you walk in is key.