What's Inside this year's Maker's Kit?

The Maker’s Kit for 2024 is packed with cutting-edge tools to help students create innovative, AI-enabled inventions. Compact, faster-shipping, and designed to inspire smart, innovative solutions, these kits provide everything needed to build the future. Video tutorials are included to guide students through each tool's use. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create!

 

The kit includes:

• Arduino Uno: A powerful microcontroller for programming and prototyping.

• Sensors:

  • Moisture Sensor – Monitor soil moisture for automated plant care.

  • Accelerometer – Detect movement or tilt for projects like fitness trackers or robotics.

  • Pressure Sensor – Measure air or water pressure for systems like weather stations.

  • Gesture Sensor – Control devices with hand gestures.

  • Hall Effect Sensor – Detect magnets for applications like door sensors.

  • Water Level Sensor – Monitor water levels in tanks or reservoirs.

  • Light Sensors (2) – Adjust lighting based on ambient light conditions.

  • Voltage Sensors (3) – Monitor battery levels or voltage.

  • IR Sensor – Detect proximity or objects for robotics or touchless switches.

  • Temperature Sensor – Measure temperature for smart thermostats or weather stations.

  • Ultrasonic Sensor – Measure distance for obstacle detection or proximity systems.

• Solar Panels:

  • 1 Large Panel – Power bigger projects sustainably.

  • 4 Small Panels – Flexible solar options for various inventions.​

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Key Points to Know:

• Timing: Kits will be shipped after you submit your first video, giving your team 2 months to work on the prototype. 

• Required: Your team must use at least one item from the Maker's Kit in your invention.

• Limit: Schools can request up to 3 kits. If you have more than 3 teams, you’ll need to share the kits among your teams.

 

“To invent, you need a good imagination & a pile of junk.”

– Thomas Edison

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Frequently Asked Questions:

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What if my school has more than 3 teams?

We want to make sure every student has the opportunity to get a kit, so we’re limiting each school to 3 Maker's Kits. But don't worry—if you have more teams, you can still make it work! Here are some ways to manage the materials:

• Sharing the tools: Teams can take turns using the kits. After one team finishes with a tool, pass it along to the next.

• Dividing the materials: Each kit has a mix of mechanical, medical, and alternative energy tools. You don’t need everything for every project, so consider assigning different categories to different teams and splitting the tools accordingly.

• Alternative solutions: If your project is more app- or digital-based, you might not need many materials from the kit. In this case, teams can use recycled or repurposed materials from home or school.

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What can I build with these materials?

The kit is designed to help you build a wide variety of projects, from smart systems that monitor things like soil moisture or temperature to robots that use sensors for movement and distance. Outside of the kit, you are encouraged to use your creativity, reuse materials, and if you have access to a 3D printer, feel free to print your own custom parts!

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Do I need prior experience with electronics or programming?

No prior experience is necessary! The kit is designed to be beginner-friendly, and you can learn as you go by following the curriculum and watching tutorials. Start simple and grow your skills as you progress.

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How do the solar panels work with my projects?

The solar panels can power your project sustainably. They can charge the Arduino or power other components, depending on the project you're building. You can find YouTube tutorials to help integrate solar power into your inventions.

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What if I need help with a project?

If you get stuck, there are tons of helpful YouTube tutorials that cover many types of projects. Additionally, you can consult the STEM curriculum provided, or reach out to the contest support team for assistance.

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Do I have to use the items in the kit for my project?

Yes, you are required to use at least one item from the kit in your project. However, you’re encouraged to get creative and incorporate other materials, like 3D-printed parts, to make your project unique.

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Are there additional materials I need to buy?

The kit includes everything essential for building your project, but if you want to expand your design or experiment further, you might need to buy extra components or 3D printing materials.

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What happens if something in my kit is broken or missing?

If any part of your kit is broken or missing, contact the contest support team right away so we can assist you with getting a replacement.

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Other Programs & Software to Use (FREE to use, not included in kits):

In the past, teams have found that the programs below give their projects a professional edge that helps them stand out:

• G-Suite: Google Slides/Docs, Google Sites (Create a website for your invention), Canvas (For sketches), Blocks (3D Model of your invention)

• Adobe Spark: Easy way to design supplemental visuals and edit final videos

• Canva: A great design program to create notebooks, graphs, visuals, & more!

• Fusion 360 (For HS): CAD Software to create a 3D model of your invention

• Zoom, Teams, or Google Hangouts: Remote collaboration with the team

• Tinkercad: Free, easy-to-use 3D design tool for prototyping

• SketchUp Free: 3D modeling for designs and prototypes

• Inkscape: Free vector graphics editor for creating detailed visuals

• Blender: Advanced free 3D modeling and animation software

• Khan Academy: Free lessons on engineering, design, and tech

• Gravit Designer: Vector design tool for web-based graphics

• Crello: Design platform with templates and animations

• GIMP: Free photo editing software for refining your visuals

• Wix or WordPress: Build simple websites to showcase your project

• Lucidchart: Create diagrams, flowcharts, and schematics for your project

• Piktochart: Design engaging infographics to illustrate your invention

• WeVideo: Online video editing platform to polish your project video

• Scratch: Visual programming language for creating interactive projects

• MIT App Inventor: Build Android apps with block-based coding

• TensorFlow: Open-source machine learning library by Google for AI projects

• Google Colab: Cloud-based Python notebook for machine learning and AI

• Blockly: Visual coding tool for building apps and AI features

• Thonny: Simple Python IDE for beginner coders

• Runway ML: Creative AI tools for integrating machine learning into projects

• Repl.it: Online coding platform that supports multiple programming languages

• OpenAI GPT: AI models for text generation, coding, and NLP tasks

• Fast.ai: Deep learning library built on PyTorch for AI and data science projects

• AI for Earth by Microsoft: Access to AI tools for environmental projects

• Wolfram Alpha: Computational engine for solving problems and analyzing data

• CodinGame: Fun platform for learning coding through games