Beyond Black Boxes: Supplies and Materials

Building

• LEGO

  For most of the Beyond Black Boxes activities, LEGO blocks & connectors, scenery, creatures, lights and wheels were available. Where LEGO is not available however, many other materials may be used such as tinker toys, wood and glue, K'NEX and the like.

  The wider the variety of pieces available, the more interesting the results. Accessing the catalog and web addresses below, it is possible to put together a wide range of blocks, connectors, gears, and miscellaneous pieces. Purchasing one large starter kit can provide a wide variety of pieces. Then supplements of LEGO blocks can be purchased at reasonable prices at children's stores.

  Catalog Sources:

  • Pitsco LEGO Dacta -1-800-362-4308 - www.pitsco-legodacta.com
  • LEGO Shop At Home Service - 1-800-453-4652 - www.LEGO.com
  • LEGO Dacta - 1-800-362-4308 - www.lego.com/learn.com

Motion Control

• Mindstorms - http://www.legomindstorms.com/

• Radio Shack motors & accessories

• Sensors

• Computer Supplies

• Diskettes for saving programs, paper for printing plans and programming steps, color printer if possible to document work.

Art Supplies

Art supplies can be almost anything including found objects, deconstructed computer equipment, as well as traditional craft and art class supplies. These enhance the constructed objects and allow the imagination of the builder to expand with possibilities.

Art materials are also for creating journals and lab books which document the building and programming process. Sketching plans helps young people stay in touch with a project over many weeks.

• Construction paper, wrapping paper, metallic paper, ribbons, feathers, pipe cleaners, craft foam, color markers, wire, etc.

• Paints

• Clay, playdough, modeling putties can add artistic interest and also help in constructing environments.

• Glues - Glue gun (must be used with supervision), craft glue, glue sticks, tapes

• Tools - scissors, pliers, screwdrivers, saws

• Found Objects - shells, nuts, packing materials, cardboard tubes, dried flowers, wrapping papers, plastic things, stuff from a recycle shop

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Inspiration