Join us in the IdeaLab for some hands-on high-tech crafting using the principles of computing. This week, we're making programmable nightlights that wink and blink like fireflies.

Tuesday October 27 from 5pm-6:30pm
$36 per participant. For ages 9 to 14.

The Challenge: Craft a light fixture that reacts to the world around it!

What Kids Will Do: Mixing physics with art, kids create a glowing, light-sensitive jar night-light. They’ll wire up a photoresistor sensor to monitor ambient room light and connect an addressable NeoPixel ring inside a diffuse jar scene. When the lights in the room go down, their jar automatically bursts to life with custom breathing color animations!

Skills Learned: Analog light level readings, RGB color mixing, threshold automation, and light diffusion optics.

Materials: This class requires a neopixel light strip (included) and a Micro:Bit microcontroller. Already have a Micro:Bit from a previous session? Great, bring it along! Need to get one? You can purchase it for $24.95 at check-out or at museum when you arrive for class.