Sphero's littleBits are a wonderful tool for discovering the functioning of different parts of a circuit by using color-coded, magnetically clasping pieces to create projects.
littleBits can help make learning about circuitry and electronics fun and imaginative. You can build and customize your own guitar, design a night light, create an electronic pet, and more.
By color-coding the different pieces, it becomes easy to elaborate to students (and to ourselves) how different parts of a circuit work in different ways. Four different colors sort the different pieces by their functions:
Blue circuit pieces always start a circuit. These pieces function as the power of the circuit. In the littleBits kit, there are two different power sources, one which connects to a 9v batter, and one that can connect to a micro-usb cable to power from an outlet or computer.
Without a power source, the circuit does not have the energy to activate the other pieces in the circuit, so in order for work to be done, a blue piece must be used.
Pink pieces in the circuit are what are known as controllers. These pieces alter the current as it passes along in the circuit.
Common controllers include buttons or switches which can withhold the current from passing along in the circuit until pressed or flipped, but other controllers exist, such as sensors that utilize/read other information, or slide dimmers, which cause the current to taper as it lowers.
Orange pieces work as connectors. Similar to wires, these pieces branch the flow of electricity from one point to another allowing circuits to break into multiple paths and complete multiple tasks at once.
The codeBit piece allows users to connect their circuits to their computers to code the various branches of their circuits. By connecting the digital coding world to the hands-on circuit experience, students can develop both skills in tandem.
Green pieces in the littleBits kit are something known as loads. These loads do work, or perform some sort of action by utilizing the current in the circuit.
Various loads exist in the kit, ranging from LEDs, to fans, and speakers. Load pieces can also read the current or measure other parts of the circuit, such as button presses or the value of controllers.
Combine the various pieces in order to discover more about the functioning of these different parts. The tools provided in this kit help develop fun coding and circuitry projects as well as incorporate the excitement of hands-on instruction.
Come in to Studio Teach and learn what you can do in your future classroom with fun, adaptable circuitry!