Squishy-Circuits
IEEE PIKES PEAK SECTION: AN EVOLVING AND ESTABLISHED LEADER IN STEAM TEAMS
Check Out Our Squishy Circuits
Program and More
Playlist of Past Successful STEAM/STEM Student Activities with the Pikes Peak Communities
- Please View First Five-Six Videos in Video Playlist Below of Past Student Activities
First, the IEEE Region 5 priorities are given in bold as:
- Increased section leadership vitality
- Increasing leadership pipeline of Young Professionals (YP)
- Increased engagement with IEEE student members
- IEEE industry engagement from YPs employers and connections
- LMAG connections with industry
- Increased industry engagement (given as IEEE Region 5 Priorities)
- IEEE industry engagement from YPs employers and connections
- LMAG connections with industry
IEEE Pikes Peak Section Vision, Mission and Strategic Goals, developed during 2020 from active EXCOM members, given as follows:
Vision: To be valued members of the Pikes Peak Region as a recognized and engaged technical organization focused on
- Professional Growth
- Innovative and Viable Solutions
- Educational Outreach
Mission: To foster technological innovation and excellence for contributing to the economic growth in the Pikes Peak Region
Strategic Goals: These goals are given as:
- Enhance professional skills
- Increase Membership Engagement
- Assist Improvement of Workforce
- Invest in STEM Education
- Dr John Santiago will advocate changing STEM to STEAM given the rapid technological explosion, like AI in 2023 and rapid adoption of Blockchain Proof-of-Work (BC-PoW) technologies, especially from the Project 2025 (about a 900-page report) with the New Administration found in the IEEE Spectrum Article, dated 27 Nov 2024.
- “A” = Arts (and Science) of communicating multi-media content for STEAM topics while leveraging AI-assisted technologies.
What-If Festival - September 2017
Space Foundation - Summer of Discovery
Student Projects
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Squishy circuits offer an engaging, hands-on approach to learning about electrical circuits by combining conductive and insulating play dough with electronic components. Here are some top squishy circuit projects that effectively illustrate fundamental concepts:
- Camera Project: Assemble a play dough camera model with LEDs to simulate a flash, introducing basic circuitry and creative design.
- Flag Project: Design a flag using conductive dough to light up LEDs, teaching about series and parallel circuits.
- Rainbow Project: Create a colorful rainbow with LEDs representing each color, enhancing understanding of circuit connections and color theory.
- Snail Project: Build a snail sculpture with illuminated eyes using LEDs, combining art and basic electronics.
- Airplane Project: Craft an airplane model with spinning propellers powered by small motors, introducing concepts of motion and circuitry.
- Fireflies Project: Simulate glowing fireflies by embedding LEDs in play dough, teaching about simple circuits and bioluminescence.
- Buzzing Bee Project: Create a bee that buzzes using a piezoelectric buzzer, integrating sound into circuit design.
These projects not only make learning about electricity and circuits accessible but also encourage creativity and problem-solving skills. They are suitable for various educational settings, from classrooms to home-based learning.
PhET Simulations
STEM Kits for Sections Program – IEEE Region 5
Fostering the Next Generation of Technology Innovators – TryEngineering
Science Buddies: Free K-12 STEM Resources (youtube.com)
H5P Demos: Examples in Using e-Learning Widgets
- Interactive Video
- Interactive Presenatations
- Image Hotspots
- Drag-n-Drop
LESSONS
We will provide you with a sequence of lessons – spanning from squishy circuits (playdoh) to breadboards and even micro:bit programmable embedded computers! These lessons can be used together over multiple events or individually for a one time STEM experience.
Below are some sample lessons…
TEACHING SUGGESTIONS
For middle or high-school students, you relate squishy circuits with nature to start thinking about developing an eco-system and KEYSTONE mindset.
Engineering a Better Economy: Why KEYSTONE-Based Technologies Matter More Than Ever – IEEE Region 5
Here are some thought and experimental papers from Dr John Santiago. These thought papers were inspired by interviews with Michael, Saylor, Jason Lowery, Saifedeen Ammous, and Robert Breedlove.
When teaching to engineering students, here are advanced concepts to help them get started developing more system (or wholistic) and critical thinking.
Blockchain Technology | IEEE Pikes Peak Section
Resources for STEM Projects
- PhET Interactive Simulations, developed by the University of Colorado Boulder, is an online platform offering free, engaging, and research-based interactive simulations for teaching and learning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The simulations are designed to visually demonstrate complex concepts in subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, and math, making them accessible and intuitive for students and educators of all levels. PhET’s user-friendly, browser-based interface allows for exploration, experimentation, and inquiry-based learning, fostering a deeper understanding of STEM topics in classrooms and beyond.
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Snap Circuits by Elencoelenco.com
Snap Circuits, developed by Elenco Electronics, are educational kits designed to introduce children aged eight and above to the fundamentals of electronics and circuitry. These kits feature color-coded, snap-together components that allow users to construct various electronic projects without soldering or complex tools. Each set includes a plastic baseboard and components such as capacitors, diodes, motors, LEDs, and more, enabling the creation of functional circuits like radios, alarms, and other electronic devices. Snap Circuits are widely used in educational settings to promote hands-on learning and to inspire interest in STEM fields.
Recommended Resources:
- YouTube Videos:
- Learn Electronics with Snap Circuits Lesson #1: Introduction to Snap Circuits: This video provides a comprehensive introduction to Snap Circuits, explaining their components and demonstrating basic projects.
- Snap Circuits Skill Builder – Electronics: A playlist offering step-by-step tutorials on various Snap Circuits projects, ideal for beginners seeking guided instruction.
- Websites:
- Elenco’s Official Snap Circuits Page: The official page provides detailed information about the Snap Circuits product line, including available kits, educational resources, and support materials.
- Harlepengren’s “Snap Circuits: How to Get Started”: This article offers insights into beginning with Snap Circuits, discussing basic components and providing guidance on initial projects.
These resources serve as valuable tools for both educators and learners to effectively explore and understand electronic circuits using Snap Circuits kits.
- YouTube Videos:
- MrErdreich.com, created by educator and inventor Jason Erdreich, offers a comprehensive suite of resources for students, teachers, and makers. The site features tutorials on CAD software, electronics prototyping, and 3D printing, alongside lesson plans and design challenges. It also provides information on professional development workshops and one-on-one virtual tutoring, aiming to foster innovation and hands-on learning in technology and design.
- The YouTube channel “MrErdreich,” curated by educator and maker Jason Erdreich, offers a variety of playlists focused on technology, engineering, and design. These playlists feature tutorials on CAD software like Tinkercad and Onshape, guidance on 3D printing techniques, and insights into electronics prototyping with platforms such as Arduino. Designed to support learners of all levels, the content emphasizes hands-on projects and practical applications, serving as a valuable resource for students, educators, and DIY enthusiasts seeking to enhance their skills in these areas.
How to use Tinkercad to create electronic circuits and programs!
- Algodoo is an intuitive, physics-based 2D simulation software designed for educational and creative exploration. It enables users to create, interact with, and experiment with virtual objects in a realistic physics environment, allowing for the visualization of concepts like gravity, friction, fluid dynamics, and collisions. Popular among educators, students, and hobbyists, Algodoo fosters learning in physics, engineering, and problem-solving through hands-on experimentation in a fun, engaging way. Its simple drag-and-drop interface and interactive tools make it accessible to users of all skill levels.
Semiconductors
- Fostering the Next Generation of Technology Innovators – TryEngineering
- TRYEngineering 2024 [2 – 3] (nxtbook.com)
- IEEE Receives Grant to Develop Lesson Plans On Semiconductors – IEEE Spectrum
IEEE STEM Grants
STEM Grants – TryEngineering.org Powered by IEEE
- The IEEE TryEngineering STEM Grant Program offers financial support to IEEE members engaged in STEM outreach for pre-university students. Grants are available in three tiers: Introductory Level (up to $500), Share Level ($501–$1,000), and Inspire Level ($1,001–$2,000). The program is supported by various IEEE societies, including the Computer Society, Communications Society, Oceanic Engineering Society, Women in Engineering, and Signal Processing Society, each contributing funds for initiatives aligned with their fields. Applications are currently open, with a deadline of January 3, 2025.
TRY ENGINEERING
Section Goal: 1 recruited member per year during the next 4 years
- Assume 20 active members in IEEE Pikes Peak Section for a 650 member section
- In four years, we have over 150 members
- In four years, we can have 20 teams of 8 members each
From a Region 5 Educational Activities Coordinator (REAC), currently Dr. John Santiago
- Use STEAM/STEM Educational Activities and Mentorship Activities
- Dr John Santiago will advocate STEM to STEAM where
- “A”= Arts (and science) of delivering and teaching multi-media content about STEAM/STEM concepts
- Ideal case:
- LMAG mentors YP
- YP mentors IEEE Student Branches
- Chapters/LMAG, YP and student mentors k-12 and parents