Squeeze Me Light Up Rudolph STEAM

Materials

• Cartridge 200gsm A4 100’s
• Coin Battery CR2032 10s
• Colour Slicks by Zart 12s
• Conductive Copper Adhesive Tape 8mmx20m
• Cover Paper 125gsm A4 Assorted
• EverZart Broad Marker 20s
• Foam Mounting Tape 12mm x 4m
• LED Light Red 10s
• Safety Battery Holder 3-6V

An exciting and festive STEAM activity combining creativity and logic through art & electronics.

Rudolph Artwork

Step 1. Cut out an A5 sized Rudolph head/body shape and antlers from a sheet of Cartridge Paper. Decorate with Colour Slicks. Use an EverZart Broad Marker to draw on eyes and a mouth.

Step 2. Cut out an oval shaped button and decorate it with Colour Slicks. Write “Squeeze Me” on it with an EverZart Broad Marker.

Circuit

Step 1. Poke a hole through the reindeer’s nose with a pencil and insert a LED Light so that the wires come out the back.

Step 2. Bend and spread the LED wires so that they lay almost flat on the back of the Rudolph shape. The short wire (Cathode), which is negative (-), should be on the left and the long wire (Anode), which is positive (+), should be on the right. Secure the LED in place with a piece of tape.

Step 3. Load one CR2032 Coin Battery into the first slot of the Battery Holder and screw closed. Use tape to attach the Battery Holder and battery terminal connector below and to the left of the LED. When positioning the battery terminal, make sure the negative (-) connector is at the top and the positive (+) on the bottom. Keep the terminals clear of tape.

Step 4. Create a Copper Tape track from the negative (-) LED wire to the negative (-) battery terminal connector. For better conductivity when joining components, lay the Copper Tape track under the terminal, then apply another piece over the top to sandwich in place.

Step 5. Make an L shaped Copper Tape track that comes down from the positive (+) battery terminal connector.

Step 6. Create another Copper Tape track from the positive (+) LED wire that stops at the same level as the L shaped track on the left side.

Step 7. Cut a piece of card big enough to cover the gap between the right and left tracks. This will become a switch to turn the LED on and off. Place the card over the tracks. Use tape to attach the right side to the base so that it can swing like a hinge.

Step 8. Swing the card over to the right and create a track on it with Copper Tape that joins to the right track making an L shape.

Step 9. Test your circuit by swinging the card hinge back over to the left. This will allow the two tracks to connect, closing the circuit. The LED should light up!

Step 10. Swing the card hinge back over to the right and place a strip of Foam Mounting Tape along the right edge. Swing it back to the left to secure. The height of the tape will prevent the circuit from closing until you deliberately squeeze the card.

Step 11. Use Foam Mounting Tape to attach the reindeer and antlers to a sheet of A4 Cover Paper.

Step 12. Stick the Squeeze Me button onto the front of Rudolph, directly over the circuit switch, with Foam Mounting Tape. Squeeze and watch Rudolph’s nose light up!