Curious Construction Kit

WHAT WILL YOU CREATE?

HOW

IT WORKS

The Curious Construction Kit is composed of two integrated systems. One is the physical setup, composed of cardboard panels of various shapes and sizes (roughly about 24 inches on a side) and small plastic connectors that allow the panels to be attached together. The connectors are made of thin plastic and have two slots in each which grip the edge of the panels. Since various connectors have the slots in different orientations, the panels can be arranged in different orientations relative to each other. The beauty of the panels and connectors is they can be used to create a vast array of structures of all shapes and sizes, and the kit can be scaled up as desired.

The second system is the electromechanical one. It is composed of the control box, several connector wires, and an assortment of “functional panels”. The functional panels are the same size as the standard ones, but include some controllable element. The current ones include a motor panel that spins a fan, a light panel that shines a white LED at different brightnesses, a buzzer panel that plays different pitch notes, and a stoplight panel that shines a series of LEDs in different colors. The system works by arranging a set of switches on the control box (brain box) to control the different function panels (for instance tying a linear dimmer switch to the buzzer panel) allowing them to be controlled in whatever manner the user wants. Once the functions each have an assigned switch (or have been left out), the box is wired to each panel in series using the connector cables (in this version, 3.5mm audio jacks). The box then passively determines the arrangement of switches and measures their positions. Lastly the box transmits the desired outputs for each panel using a serial communication protocol. The three terminals of the audio cables are assigned as ground, the signal line, and a power supply. The power supply runs the microcontroller on each panel as well as the motor, buzzer, etc. eliminating the need for multiple batteries on the panels.

All in all the system is robust, simple, and self-contained. It can scale easily and will provide a platform for ingenuity and engineering to kids of many ages.