Introduction

MaKey MaKey allows you to turn everyday objects into keys and use these objects with your programs.

MaKey MaKey works by opening and closing circuits.

If you attach two alligator clips: one from the MaKey MaKey board to an object that is conductive (a fruit, a piece of metal, a bowl of water) and another from the board to you, then when you touch the conductive object you complete or close the circuit. The closing of the circuit sends a key press to the computer. The computer thinks MaKey MaKey is a regular keyboard or mouse even though you have made your own unique key!

Here is an example of the MaKey MaKey board and an apple. Touch the apple and your sprite moves 10 steps in Scratch):


To make MaKey MaKey work with Scratch, plug in the USB to your computer and create a program as normal. For example, when the right arrow key is pressed, the sprite moves 10 steps.

Then connect one of the alligator clips to GND at the bottom of the MaKey MaKey board and touch the metal at the other end of the alligator clip with your finger.

Next connect another alligator clip to the apple and the right arrow on the MaKey MaKey board.

When you touch the metal clip and apple at the same time, you complete a circuit and MaKey MaKey sends a signal to your computer saying a key is pressed. Every time you touch the apple your sprite will now move 10 steps!

Project

1. Create a book about something historical, surprising, scientific or something you are passionate about. One example might be a book about the body, where each page allows you to trigger an explanation.
   
   Or instead of a flip book like this:
   
   You could make a book that shows the outside of something (the body, a machine, etc) and your Scratch program could show the interior.
   
   Another example is the The Three Little Pigs and the Secrets of a Popup Book:
   
2. Create the book and then your story:
   
   
   If your book is about an historical event, each page could trigger an animation or interaction about who, what, when, why and where.
   
   If your book is about a surprising fact, then each page should be associated with what, how and why you find it interesting
   
   If your book is about something like an organ, then each page should be associated with what that organ does, how it does what it does, what can affect it positively and what can affect it negatively.

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3. Use copper tape, graphite or conductive paint to make your circuit within your drawings. You want to build a circuit to trigger Scratch.
   
   
4. Create your scratch program so that each key associated with a page will trigger an explanation or an interaction.
   
   
5. Connect your book to the Makey Makey (each page should be connected to a key) and your Makey Makey to the computer. Hold an alligator clip attached to GND on the Makey Makey and thumb through your book, using your finger to close the circuits. Your body is the switch, and the book circuit should now run through the Makey Makey board and trigger the events you've programmed in Scratch.