WHAT WE ARE MAKING

WHY WE ARE MAKING IT

a electrical circuit that powers a DC motor

a motor can activate our projects with movement

Interactivity is when your design can respond to people or the environment. It means your project doesn't just sit still—it can move, light up, make sound, or react when someone touches it, presses a button, or gets close. Adding interactivity makes your design more engaging and dynamic, turning it into something that can communicate or perform.

Interactivity Integrated

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Next, you’ll add electronics to power your mechanisms and bring them to life—this is where interactivity begins, letting your project move.

Interactivity Integrated

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؜Mechanism that work with DC Motors

1. Rotating Arm

1. Attach a stick, wire, or cardboard arm directly to the motor shaft using hot glue, tape, or a hub adapter. The arm will spin continuously as the motor turns.

2. Crank and Slider

1. Attach a short crank arm (cardboard or plastic piece) off-center on the motor shaft.
2. Connect the end of the crank to another piece (the slider) using a paper fastener or loose wire joint so it can move back and forth as the motor spins.

3. Cam + Follower

1. Cut a round disk and glue it off-center to the motor shaft to make a cam.
2. The cam pushes a follower arm (a vertical piece of cardboard or stick) up and down as it rotates.

4. Rotating Spinner

1. Mount a light disk, propeller, or blade directly onto the motor shaft.
2. You can secure it with a small piece of tubing, tape, or a connector that fits snugly around the shaft.

Interactivity Integrated

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؜5. Pushing Arm / Ram

1. Attach a horizontal arm or lever to the motor shaft so that when the shaft spins, it swings forward in a pushing motion.
2. For a more controlled push, connect the motor to a linkage or scissor lift using a crank joint.

6. Catapult / Launcher

1. Connect the motor shaft to a lever arm using string or wire.
2. The motor winds the string to pull the arm down, then releases (or reverses) to launch.

7. Claw or Grabber

1. Use the motor to rotate a small gear or cam that opens and closes two hinged pieces.
2. The motor shaft can drive a threaded rod or linkage that moves the claw arms together or apart.

8. Pendulum / Swinging Arm

1. Attach a long stick or cardboard piece directly to the shaft so it swings as the motor spins.
2. Add a counterweight or hinge if you want smoother back-and-forth motion.

9. Launcher with Elastic Band

1. The motor turns a spool or hook that pulls back the elastic band.
2. When released (manually or via a cam mechanism), it launches the projectile.

To Create a Motor Circuit

Power Supply

(Batteries)

Motor

(Takes electricity and uses it to spin)

Connector

(Conductive Wire)

+

-

IF you want it slower, switch to the 2 X AA battery holder

CREATING THE CIRCUIT

Design the object you want your motor to spin. 

How does it attach to the motor shaft?

Geared Motor

6v Battery

4 AA 1.5 Batteries

F F Wires

3v/6v DC MOTOR

؜if you're motor has male pins connect the motor with female wires

Vibration Motor 3V