Join us in the IdeaLab for some hands-on high-tech crafting using the principles of computing. This week, we're making sound-activated talking puppets! Move over, Barney!

Tuesday December 15 from 5-6:30pm
$35 per participant. For ages 9 to 14.

The Challenge: Bring cardboard to life using real robotics!

What Kids Will Do: Combining digital sound sensors with physical mechanism design, young inventors will craft custom puppet characters with moving lower jaws. Using MakeCode, they’ll map their puppet’s mouth movements directly to sound volume—making their character’s jaw mechanically open and close whenever they speak, sing, or clap!

Skills Learned: Pulse-width modulation (PWM), sound amplitude sampling, mechanical lever/pivot hinges, and voice-controlled automation.

Materials: This class uses servo motors (included), a Micro:Bit Microcontroller ($24.95) and Micro:Bit Expansion Board ($10.00). Already have them from a previous session? Great, bring them along! Need to get them? You can purchase them at check-out or at the museum when you arrive for class.