The Craft & Code board provides an amazing way to bring a beginner-level element of physical animation to craft projects, and a perfect way to use this is to recycle bits of cardboard and wrapping paper over the holidays to make some fun and easy projects!
Emma has prepared two samples to show you what’s possible.
Waving Snowman
This snowman waves using the servo, and requires the following:
- Craft & Code Board.
- BBC micro:bit.
- Card (to draw the snowman on).
- Pencils or paints for colouring.
- Paper cup or similar.
- Something to make stick-arms from (we used brown floral wire).
- Tape
- Blue Tack.
Step 1 - Create your snowman
We have drawn the snowman onto card using pencil and pastels, and then cut it out.
Step 2 - Make the arms, and assemble the snowman on the cup
Stick one arm to the snowman, the stationary one, and then stick the snowman to the paper cup. We have used floral wire - a wire covered in brown paper - to imitate stick arms, but you could use cardboard, pipe cleaners or something else suitably sturdy.
Step 3 - Add the second arm to the servo and stick onto the cup.
First, attach the second arm to the servo arm with tape. Then we used blue tack to attach the servo to the cup so that the arm is in the correct position.
Step 4 - Code the servo
Attach the servo to the Craft & Code board, plug your micro:bit into the edge connector, and code as you see below! This will loop the code every 2000ms (2 seconds) and will move the servo to 45° before waiting 1000ms (1 second) and then returning the servo to 0°.
Flickering Candle
This candle uses the bulb, and requires the following:
- Craft & Code Board.
-
BBC micro:bit.
- A toilet roll tube, wrapping paper tube, or similar
- Cardboard
- Paint, or something to colour the candle with.
- PVA glue or a glue stick
Step 1 - Create the shape of the candle using cardboard
We’ve used a large paper towel roll for the main cylinder, and a circle of cardboard with a hole in the center large enough to fit the bottom of the bulb, so that screwing it in from both sides will fix it in place.
We also added bits of cardboard in the shape of drips to create a dripping wax effect!
Step 2 - Paint and embellish your candle
We kept it simple by only adding a little Kraft paper with PVA to smooth the drips then Painting the whole candle white, however you could add anything you want! Many Christmas candles feature stripes, are different colours like red or green, and have garlands at the bottom. You could make holly leaves from card!
Step 3 - Add the bulb
As mentioned above, screw the bulb into the holder through the hole in the top of the Candle, with the wires attached to the bottom of the holder as shown so that it will fit through the tube.
Step 4 - Create the flame
We made ours from a hollow tube of orange tissue paper, stuck with PVA glue, and cut to a taper once it has dried. This will just rest above the bulb without touching it.
Step 5 - Code the candle
Attach the bulb to the Craft & Code board, plug your micro:bit into the edge connector, and code as you see below! This will loop the code every 2000ms (2 seconds) and flicker the brightness as a candle flickers using the custom Craft & Code brightness blocks.
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