STEAM+ CODING

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TEACHER'S GUIDE

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INVENTION GUIDE
 hello!

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CLASSROOM.LITTLEBITS.COM
 STEAM+ CODING
CLASS PACK PG 32 PG 39 PG 46 PG 53

INVENTION GUIDE

04 littleBits Basics 39-65 GUIDED CHALLENGES 66–75 OPEN CHALLENGES 78 Trouble­

shooting
06–34 BIT TM INDEX Guided challenges start with instructions Open challenges get you to flex your creative Tips
07 POWER for a simple invention. Once you've muscles. These challenges start with an
09 INPUT created the invention, the challenge moves open-ended problem. Your mission is to 79 Continue
15 WIRE into the Remix phase where creativity explore ways you could use littleBits to create Your Inventor
19 OUTPUT really takes off. an invention that solves that problem. Journey
29 ACCESS­ORIES
39 Invent a Self-Driving Vehicle 66 Hack Your Classroom
35 Inventing
with littleBits 46 Invent an Art Machine 69 Invent for Good

53 Invent a Throwing Arm 72 Invent a Chain Reaction Contraption

60 Invent a Security Device 75 Hack Your Habits

STEAM is the evolution of STEM education, The challenges in the littleBits STEAM+
adding Art to Science, Technology, Engineer­ Coding Class Pack link to NGSS (Next
ing, and Math. Students gain technical skills Generation Science Standards) TEACHER'S GUIDE and other SHARE & DISCOVER inventions
by exploring creative, collaborative solutions Engineering Design standards. classroom resources available at online at classroom.littlebits.com
to real-world problems. classroom.littlebits.com
WE INVEN
WO R L D
WANT TO
2
ENT THE
WE
O LIVE IN. 3
 Y
P LA
S
I L D & THI ST
BU IT IT F R
H I
W U
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CIR

1 2
ANATOMY OF A BIT TM COLOR-CODED BY FUNCTION
Learn how you can tell top from bottom. Bits are grouped into four different categories,
TM

BASICS
which are color-coded.

POWER (BLUE) WIRE (ORANGE)

TOP BOT TOM
Power Bits, plus a power Wire Bits connect to other
BITSNAP supply, run power through systems and let you build
BIT FEET
your circuit. circuits in new directions.

INPUT (PINK) OUTPUT (GREEN)

Input Bits accept input from Output Bits do something –
­­
you or the environment and light up, buzz, move…
send signals that affect the
Bits that follow.
fou� on the fl�o�!

Learn more about your Bits starting ON PG 06

3 4 5
MAGNET MAGIC! ORDER IS IMPORTANT SOME BITS ARE ADJUSTABLE
Bits snap together with magnets. The magnets are POWER BITS always come first and INPUT BITS Switches, buttons, and sliders on the board allow
always right – you can’t snap them together the only affect the OUTPUT BITS that come after them. you to change how the Bit functions.
wrong way.
WITH NO OUTPUT BIT AFTER IT, THE INPUT BIT HAS NOWHERE
ARROWS SHOULD POINT IN THE SAME DIRECTION TO SEND ITS SIGNAL FLIP THE SWITCH TO CHANGE MODES

MOVE THE SLIDER TO

ADJUST SENSITIVITY

IF THE BITS WON’T SNAP TOGETHER, TRY SPINNING THE INPUT BIT AFFECTS THE OUTPUT BITS THAT FOLLOW
ONE AROUND AND MAKE SURE THE ARROWS POINT
IN THE SAME DIRECTION

5
 BIT INDEX
TM

POWER INPUT WIRE OUTPUT ACCESS­O RIES

07 p7 power 09 i3 button 15 w1 wire 19 o2 long LED 29 a5 magnet shoes

08 p3 USB power 10 i5 slide dimmer 16 w7 fork 20 o6 buzzer a6 hook & loop shoes
11 i11 pressure sensor 17 w10 inverter 21 o9 bargraph a30 mounting board
12 i12 temperature 18 w26 codeBit 22 o11 servo 30 a10 motorMate
sensor 23 o13 fan USB cable
13 i13 light sensor 24 o19 RGB LED 31 a21 powersnap
14 i16 pulse 25 o21 number a27 rechargeable battery
26 o25 DC motor 32 a28 mounting board
27 o26 speaker 33 a25 wheel
28 o29 round LED a23 mechanical arm
matrix 34 a31 battery mount

Occasionally BitsTM get updated, so the features or appearance

of your Bits may differ from those used in this guide.

6
 p7 POWER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The p7 power Bit converts

the 9 volts of electricity in the
battery to the 5 volts that
littleBits circuits run on.
o2 LONG LED

The power Bit also sends a

signal through your circuit.
Controlling this signal with
inputs is how you control
your circuit.

MEET THE BIT p7 POWER

Every circuit starts with power. It provides the electricity that

MODE: on/off
makes your Bits spin, buzz, blink, and shine.
on light

low battery light

REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

PHONE CHARGER

7
 p3 USB POWER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

Like the power Bit, the USB

power Bit sends a 5 volt
signal through your circuit,
which allows you to control
your Bits.

Instructions for the projects

o2 LONG LED
in this Kit use the p7 power
Bit, but you can use the USB
power for all of them as well.
p3 USB POWER

On light

MEET THE BIT

The USB power may be the smallest in the series, but it's big
enough to send electricity to all your creations. This Bit lets
you power your circuit through a micro USB cable. It can be
connected to a computer or wall adapter for non-stop power.

REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

PHONE CHARGER LAPTOP CHARGER

8
 i3 BUTTON SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The button is like a door.

When you press it, the door
opens, letting the signal
pass through the Bit and on
to the next Bits in the circuit.
The button is a momentary
switch, you must continue
i3 BUTTON to press it for the signal to
flow. When you release
the button, the door closes,
p7 POWER stopping the signal from
passing on to other Bits.

o13 FAN

MEET THE BIT

The button Bit is a classic: big, round, and springy for

comfortable pressing! Push it to turn something on and
release it to turn it off.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a chair that makes noise when you sit down?

VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER ELEVATOR BUTTON GAME SHOW BUZZER

9
 i5 SLIDE DIMMER

MEET THE BIT

Slide this dimmer back and forth to control your circuit.

As you slide it up, more signal goes to the Bits that follow,
brightening lights, speeding up motors, and raising the
volume on your buzzer.

MINI-CHALLENGE

Can you invent something with the slide dimmer that waves
a flag back and forth? How could you change the speed
that it waves?

10
SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

When the slider is all the

way to the left, it’s sending
an off or 0 volt signal.
o2 LONG LED When the slider is all the
way to the right, it’s sending
a 5 volt signal. The slider
can be positioned to send
i5 SLIDE DIMMER
any signal between 0 and
5 volts.
p7 POWER

REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

HOUSEHOLD STEREO VOLUME CONTROL CAR PEDAL

DIMMER SWITCH

11
 i11 PRESSURE SENSOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The pad of the sensor

detects how much pressure
is being applied. The harder
you press down on it, the
o9 BARGRAPH
more signal it lets pass to
the following Bits in the
circuit.
i11 PRESSURE SENSOR
Note: Do not fold or crease
the pressure sensor.
p1 POWER

touch here

MEET THE BIT

The pressure sensor is a touch-activated Bit that responds

to how much pressure you put on it.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a light-up sign with the pressure sensor?

SCALE HAMMER CARNIVAL MICROWAVE

GAME TOUCH SCREEN

12
 i12 TEMPERATURE SENSOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The temperature sensor takes

a measurement from the
environment and translates it
o21 NUMBER into a signal. The higher the
temperature it senses, the
more signal it sends out to
p7 POWER the following Bits (making
lights brighter and motors
turn faster).

021 number: MODE:

021 number:
count down VALUE
read value

i12 TEMPERATURE SENSOR

MEET THE BIT MODE: F° or C°

With the temperature sensor you can use the temperature This is the component that
in the surrounding air to control your circuit. It's especially measures the temperature.
useful for gathering data when paired with the number Bit
set to VALUE mode.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a temperature-controlled gadget to beat the A te m

summer heat? per
tel ls yo ur ature s
w he n auto m e¡nso
to t
urn atic r
of ket t
f. le

THERMOSTAT MEDICAL THERMOMETER AUTOMATIC TEA KETTLE

13
 i13 LIGHT SENSOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The light sensor measures

how much light is shining
on it. It has two modes.
o21 NUMBER In LIGHT mode, as the
light shining on the sensor
gets brighter, more signal
p7 POWER passes through it (making
lights brighter or motors
turn faster). In DARK mode,
the signal increases as it
021 number:
count down
MODE:
021 number:
VALUE
read value gets darker.

Use the slider to adjust how

much light it takes to change
the signal. Moving it to the
right increases sensitivity,
and to the left decreases it.
i13 LIGHT SENSOR

MEET THE BIT MODE: light or dark

Use this Bit to control your circuits with light! The amount
SENSITIVITY: "–" decrease,
of light shining on the sensor will change how your circuit
"+" increase
behaves. It's a great way to activate your circuit without
hands and is perfect for alarms! This is the component that
measures light.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent something that moves when the lights go out? A p u l se m e
t er s
i nto yo u hi
r fin nes a
s en sor to g er an br
ig
me a d
sur uses ht l
eb a ig
loo lig h
d h
flo t

t
w
.
PHOTOGRAPHER'S
NIGHT LIGHT SENSOR LIGHT METER FINGER PULSE METER

14
 i16 PULSE SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The pulse is a switch that

opens and closes over
and over again. When it's
o2 LONG LED
open, the signal from the
previous Bit passes through
to the next Bit. When the
p7 POWER
switch closes, the signal
is blocked.

Use the slider to adjust the

speed of the pulse. Moving
the slider to the right will
increase the speed of the
pulse.

MEET THE BIT i16 PULSE

The pulse is like a heartbeat that makes the Bits after it turn on
SPEED: "–" decrease, "+" increase
and off in a steady rhythm.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a warning signal with the pulse? How can
you make the signal pulse faster or slower?

POLICE SIREN FIREFLY TURN SIGNAL CLOCK SECONDHAND

15
 w1 WIRE SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The wire doesn’t change the

signal in any way – it just
o2 LONG LED carries it over from one Bit
to another.

w1 WIRE

p7 POWER

MEET THE BIT

The wire Bit has a flexible wire running between its two
bitSnaps. This allows you to place your Bits farther apart, turn
corners, and make connections that can twist, turn, and spin.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a circuit that uses the wire to shine the long
LED on the light sensor?

EXTENSION CORD POWER LINES STRING OF LIGHTS

16
 w7 FORK SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The fork takes the incoming

signal and sends it to all
o6 BUZZER three output bitSnaps.

o21 NUMBER

w7 FORK

p7 POWER

o2 LONG LED

MEET THE BIT

The fork gives you more options for connecting your Bits;
it lets you connect a single Bit to as many as three others.
If you place an input before the fork, it will control all three
outputs at once, such as light, sound, and motion.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a circuit where an input controls three outputs?

POWER STRIP FORK IN THE ROAD

17
 w10 INVERTER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

Anytime the inverter receives

a signal lower than 50%
o2 LONG LED power (2.5 volts) the inverter
sends full power (5 volts) to
the next Bit in the circuit.
w10 INVERTER If the inverter receives a sig­
nal greater than 2.5 volts,
the inverter sends 0 volts to
i3 BUTTON the next Bit in the circuit.

p7 POWER

MEET THE BIT

The inverter is an example of a logic Bit. It sends out the

opposite of whatever it receives: send it an on signal,
and the inverter changes it to an off signal, or vice versa.
Would you like a button that turns things off instead of on?
Try the inverter.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent something with the inverter that alerts you if
someone takes a book off the table?
l se ,
o w e r, pu
i s: p ht.
Try th r te r, lig
i nve
light,

ALTERNATING
OPPOSITE DAY POLICE LIGHTS

18
 w26 CODEBIT ™ BIT BREAKDOWN

serial icon
3 output bitSnaps

micro USB port

restart button:
code LED: press briefly to
this LED will be restart your code
red when code from the beginning
is running on
the Bit.
CONNECTED LED
MEET THE BIT green: connected
The codeBit levels up your littleBits circuits by allowing you to computer
to program how your Bits work. Using the Fuse App, you blink white:
can program this Bit to create unique sounds, movements, code uploading
and animations. 3 input bitSnaps
off: not connected

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you code a sound effect that plays at your command?

COMPUTER BRAIN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL BAND CONDUCTOR

19
 o2 LONG LED SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

This Bit uses a light-emmiting

diode (LED) to turn electricity
into light. The more signal
you send the Bit, the brighter
the light shines.
i3 BUTTON

p7 POWER

o2 LONG LED

MEET THE BIT

The long LED is a flexible lighting option. We call it the

“long” LED because the light is connected to the board by a
cable, which lets you put the light in some interesting places.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a new wearable accessory using the

long LED?

FLASHLIGHT STREET LAMP ANGLERFISH

20
 o6 BUZZER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The buzzer converts the

electrical signal it receives
o6 BUZZER into a vibration, which
creates a buzzing sound.
The higher the signal it
receives, the more intense
i3 BUTTON
the vibration, and the
louder the sound is.

p1 POWER

MEET THE BIT

The buzzer makes a sound no one can ignore. It's great at

sounding the alarm or annoying those nearby.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a way to communicate with your friends ding dong! done!
using the buzzer?

DOORBELL CAR ALARM WASHING MACHINE

21
 o9 BARGRAPH SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The bargraph uses five LEDs

to turn electricity into light.
Each LED on the board
o9 BARGRAPH
needs a certain amount of
signal in order to light up. As
you increase the signal sent
i5 SLIDE DIMMER to the bargraph, more LEDs
will shine.

p1 POWER

MEET THE BIT

The bargraph shows you how much signal the Bit is

receiving with a display of five light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
in different colors. Try it with a dimmer to make your own
adjustable lamp.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a way to show your mood to a friend?

MUSIC VISUALIZER TV VOLUME PHONE SCREEN

BRIGHTNESS

22
 o11 SERVO SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The servo has two modes. In

TURN mode, the input from
other Bits determines the
i5 SLIDE DIMMER
position of the hub – try
using a dimmer to set the
p7 POWER angle you want. In SWING
mode, the servo will move
back and forth on its own like
a pair of windshield wipers
– the input signal controls
the speed of the swing.

The servo's range of motion

is about 180 degrees.

The servo motor is

contained within a servo
bucket. Simply press the
o11 SERVO
plastic feet into a mounting
MEET THE BIT
MODE: turn or swing board for extra stability.
The servo is a motor that can swing back and forth or be
turned to a specific position.

There are a few accessories you can use with the servo (like
Feet for attaching to mounting
the mechanical arm). You can find out how to use those on
boards or shoes
page 26.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent something that uses the servo to clean up l o rp

b l ee p b
your desk?

TRUCK CRANE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ROBOT

23
 o13 FAN SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

Inside the fan is a tiny motor.

When it receives a signal,
it spins. The more signal it
i3 BUTTON
receives, the faster it spins.

p7 POWER

MEET THE BIT

o13 FAN
Use the fan to create a gentle breeze, perfect for cooling
things off. You can also try taping small things (like stickers Feet for attaching to mounting
or pieces of paper) to the center of the fan for some boards or shoes
spinning visuals.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent something that uses the fan to move an

object across the table?

LEAF BLOW E R PERSONAL FAN AIRPLANE PROPELLER

24
 o19 RGB LED SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The RGB LED is actually

three very small lights (a
o3 RGB LED red, a blue, and a green
light). Moving the sliders
R: Adjust the amount of red light changes the brightness of
each light. The colors from
these lights mix together to
G: Adjust the amount of green light
create every color in the
rainbow.
B: Adjust the amount of blue light

i5 SLIDE DIMMER

p7 POWER

MEET THE BIT

The RGB LED is a light with adjustable color. You can use the
sliders to create your own custom color mix of red, green,
and blue.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a flashlight that uses your favorite color? GB s

s o f R se d is p l ay
nad e t h e
s at
e
cr
Ds u
LE tho

TRAFFIC LIGHT JUMBOTRON DECORATIVE LIGHTS

25
 o21 NUMBER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The number Bit displays

o21 NUMBER
information about the signal
it’s receiving.
Reset bitSnapTM

In COUNT mode, the Bit can

MODE: count or read count up or down when the
Bit receives an input signal
over 2.5 volts. It can be
reset by receiving a signal
i5 SLIDE DIMMER through the reset bitSnap.

In READ mode, the Bit

p7 POWER displays information about
the signal it’s receiving in
either volts ranging from
0.0–5.0 or values ranging
from 0–99.

The signal leaving the Bit will

MEET THE BIT
always match the number
The number displays information that it receives from the Bits being displayed, even in
before it. It's a great way to measure the input from sensors or COUNT mode. For example,
count things, like the score in a game. if you count up to 38, the
signal leaving the Bit will
be 38% of full power.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent a game that uses an automatic score counter? vroooooooo
m

vro
oom
!
SCOREBOARD VOLUME INDICATOR ON TV SPEEDOMETER

26
 o25 DC MOTOR SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The DC (or “direct current”)

i5 SLIDE DIMMER
motor rotates a shaft when it
receives a signal. The more
signal it receives, the faster
p7 POWER
the motor will spin.

A switch on the board lets

you choose which direction
the motor spins. CW spins
clockwise and CCW spins
counterclockwise. When the
switch is in VAR (variable)
mode, the amount of signal
the motor receives from
previous Bits allows you
o25 DC MOTOR
to control the speed and
MODE: CW (clockwise), direction (clockwise or
VAR (variable mode), and counterclockwise) of its
CCW (counterclockwise) motion. In this mode, using
MEET THE BIT
an input like a slide dimmer
Use the motor to spin, turn, twist, and roll. makes steering easy!

There are a few accessories you can use with the DC motor
Feet for attaching to mounting
(like wheels). You can find out how to use those on pages
boards or shoes
25-26.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

Can you invent something using the DC motor that travels

across the table?

CAR ENGINE DRILL FERRIS WHEEL

27
 o26 SPEAKER SAMPLE CIRCUIT HOW IT WORKS

The speaker turns audio

signals into vibrations that
make sound. You can control
the speaker’s volume with a
slider on the left side of the
Bit. It also features an output
o26 SPEAKER
jack on the right side of the
output jack Bit that you can connect to
headphones, an amplifier,
i31 OSCILLATOR
or a computer. When you
connect to the output jack,
sound will come out of the
p1 POWER connected device (like your
headphones) instead of
through the speaker.

volume slider The speaker Bit will only

make sound with Bits that
create audio signals, such as
MEET THE BIT
the oscillator, MP3 player, or
Amplify your sonic explorations! The speaker Bit is a tiny codeBit.
speaker that lets you hear the signals coming from an
oscillator, an MP3 player, or a codeBit. Pair it with these Bits
to add music or sound effects to your inventions.

MINI-CHALLENGE REAL WORLD ANALOGIES

What is the strangest sound that you

can invent?

VOCAL CORDS LOUDSPEAKER GUITAR AMP PHONE SPEAKER

28
 o28 LED MATRIX

each square is a pixel

made up of an RGB LED

MEET THE BIT

The LED matrix is a colorful display that you can control using
code or other Bits.

29
a5 MAGNET SHOES a30 MOUNTING BOARD
a6 HOOK & LOOP SHOES
MEET THE ACCESSORY MEET THE ACCESSORY

Shoes slip onto your Bits' The mounting board is like

feet and hold your circuit the backbone of some of
together. On the bottom your inventions. It allows
of your shoes you'll find you to keep your circuit
magnets or hook & loops, intact and move it around
which are great for with ease! It also provides
securing your circuits to structure which is helpful
different surfaces. for building out projects,
like a vehicle.

HOW IT WORKS HOW IT WORKS

PRESS DOWN ON
BITSNAPS NOT
bitFeet go in the shoes
TM
First, snap together your WHITE CIRCUIT Snap together your littleBits
BOARD.
littleBits circuit. Then press circuit and press the feet of
the feet of your Bits into the your Bits into the holes of the
holes of the shoes and place mounting board.
it on your chosen surface.
NOTE: Your circuit must be
Magnet shoes allow you complete before you press
to adhere your circuit to it onto the board. You won't
any magnetic surface. Try be able to add Bits one at
your refrigerator or your a time.
locker!

Hook & loop shoes come

with an adhesive-backed
hook & loop strip. The strip
can be cut to any size
you desire and affixed
to clothing, fabric, or any
flexible surface.

30
a10 MOTORMATE USB CABLE

micro USB
MEET THE ACCESSORY MEET THE ACCESSORY

The motorMate makes The USB cable brings power

it easy to attach paper, to your USB power Bit and
cardboard, axles like rechargeable battery. It
LEGO® axles, and lots of will also send information
other materials to the DC between certain Bits and your
motor. computer. The cable comes in
two lengths, 1'7" (0.5m) and
4'11" (1.5m), to fit your needs.

HOW IT WORKS HOW IT WORKS

To mount, align the cross hole Simply connect the cable

of the motorMate with the from a power source to
cross shaft of the DC motor your littleBits USB power
and press together. On the Bit (this only connects to the
other end, the motorMate has p3 USB power Bit). You
two different sized slots: one can use the USB cable to
fits most standard craft sticks power your circuits from a
and the other fits thicker computer, power adapter, or
papers like cardstock. Axles rechargeable USB battery.
like LEGO® axles fit right into
the center.

31
a21 POWERSNAP a27 RECHARGEABLE BATTERY

micro USB port,

MEET THE ACCESSORY for charging MEET THE ACCESSORY

The powerSnap supplies The rechargeable battery

power to an open input is a portable power source
without extra forks, splits, charging for your inventions, which
or power supplies. you can use over and over
done
again.

USB port, for

mounting board- powering littleBits
compatible feet

HOW IT WORKS HOW IT WORKS

Every littleBits circuit needs To power your circuit,

power, and every Bit connect the USB plug to the
receives power through its charged battery, and the
input bitSnap. When using micro USB to the p3 USB
Bits with multiple inputs, power Bit.
like the codeBit, you can
use powerSnaps to bring To charge the battery, plug
power to inputs not directly the micro USB of a cable
connected to the power Bit. into the battery and connect
The powerSnaps only work the USB plug to a computer
if you have a power Bit or power adapter; see
connected somewhere else page 80 for more about the
in your circuit. power adapter. The LED on
the battery will shine red
For more info on how while charging, and be off
power works in the littleBits when done.
system, check out littleBits.
com/tips-tricks/powersnap

32
a28 MOUNTING BOARD (8" × 7")

MEET THE ACCESSORY HOW IT WORKS

The mounting board serves 1 First, snap your circuit together.

as the backbone of your
inventions. It provides
structure, and allows you to
keep your circuit intact and
move it around with ease.
This mounting board can
accommodate large circuits.

2 Next, press the circuit into the

mounting board. ONLY press
on the bitSnaps.

ALWAYS REMOVE BITS

BY THE BITSNAP, DO
NOT PULL ON CABLES TO
REMOVE BITS FROM THE
MOUNTING BOARD

33
a25 WHEEL a23 MECHANICAL ARM

MEET THE ACCESSORY MEET THE ACCESSORY

When used with a DC motor, The mechanical arm attaches

this wheel is perfect for mak­ to both the servo and the DC
ing bots, cars, and all sorts motor shaft, and offers lots of
of spinning inventions. leverage for pushing, pulling,
and throwing.

HOW IT WORKS HOW IT WORKS

To attach the wheel to the To attach the mechanical

DC motor shaft, align the arm to the DC motor, line up
Connect to DC motor or
cross hole in the wheel with the DC motor cross shaft with
servo shaft
the cross of the motor shaft. one of the cross holes in
Press firmly together. the mechanical arm.

For the servo, line up the T

shaft with one of the cross
holes in the mechanical arm
and press firmly.

The two large holes on the

end are perfect for holding
pens and markers in place.
Fits a Sharpie -sized marker
TM

Fits a pen

34
a31 BATTERY MOUNT

MEET THE ACCESSORY

The battery mount secures

the 9-volt battery to the
mounting board.

HOW IT WORKS

Slide the 9-volt battery into the

opening of the battery mount
and press the feet of the
battery mount into the
mounting board.

35
THE LITTLEBITS
TM

INVENTION CYCLE
What is the Invention Cycle?
The Invention Cycle is a
roadmap for your invention
journey. Each phase is full of
activities and questions that
help you explore your ideas
and develop your invention.
DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE INVENTION
CYCLE EXACTLY IN ORDER?
Nope! If you want, you can remix while you
play or share while you create. Each phase
of the invention cycle represents a different
way of thinking and making. They work
well in order, but a good design process is
always a bit messy.

36
 CREATE
CREATE PLAY!

PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER. You can build it USE IT! Playing with what you've created is
from the instructions or make something from fun, but also an important part of inventing.
your imagination. Don't worry if it doesn't Playing is like a test run. It's a chance to see
work or if it isn't perfect. The important thing how well your invention works and look for
is to create your first model so you have ways you can make it better.
something to experiment with.
THE
SHARE

PLAY
LITTLEBITS
INVENTION REMIX SHARE
CYCLE
IMPROVE YOUR INVENTION. Keep INSPIRE OTHERS. Show the world what
experimenting! Add new Bits, swap parts with you've created online at littleBits Education.
other inventions, or take all the pieces apart Get inspired by exploring what others
and put them together in a different way. have shared. Create, play with, and remix
other inventions. This is how awesome new
inventions are born.

REMIX

ICON INDEX

POWER ON/OFF PRO TIPS USE RUBBER BAND OR CHANGE MODE

The p4 power Bit has an on/
TM
Keep your eyes open for these MASKING TAPE Some Bits have a switch that
off switch. This icon will let you bits of littleBits wisdom. These tips This icon will tell you when to use changes how the Bit works. This
know when it’s time to turn it will help build your invention rubber bands or some masking icon will tell you which mode
on or off. skills and level up your inventions. tape to keep something in place. your switch should be in.
i12 temp.
sensor:
Fahrenheit
mode
TEST YOUR CIRCUIT EXTRA IMPORTANT INFO! LITTLEBITS CLASSROOM i13 light
sensor:
Before you play with your new This icon will let you know Discover inventions and easily light mode
invention, you’ll turn the power when there is a small, but very upload and share your own
o11 servo:
on and make sure all your Bits TM
important step we don’t want creations. swing mode
are doing their jobs. you to miss. If you ignore these
your invention won’t work.

37
PROTOTYPING TIPS H
&
WHAT’S A PROTOTYPE, YOU ASK? A prototype is a model that helps you test an idea. This THE W
is the first step in turning your ideas into actual inventions. Building a prototype helps you INVEN
learn what you like, what works, and what needs more figuring out. You’ll be building a lot projec
of prototypes during the challenges in this booklet. a few

DON’T WORRY ABOUT PERFECTION BUILD MANY DIFFERENT VERSIONS.

or if your invention will work right The more you experiment, the
away – just start making. Do you more you will learn, and the better
think the light bulb was invented on your invention will be.
the first try? Most inventions take
many tries to get right.

TRY SOME WEIRD AND UNEXPECTED DOCUMENT EACH STEP. As your

STUFF. You might be surprised prototype changes, take photos,
at what you discover when you draw sketches, and jot down notes.
add random materials, flip your The journey from idea to invention
prototype upside down, or try using is just as exciting and important as
it for a totally different purpose. the final result. You did a lot of work
to bring it to life. Show it proudly!

38
HELPFUL TOOLS
& MATERIALS
paper or
plastic cups

scissors
THE WORLD AROUND YOU IS FULL OF MATERIALS FOR PROTOTYPING AND CREATING
INVENTIONS. At littleBits, we dig through our recycling bins all the time to collect stuff for our
projects. In fact, the very first prototype of a Bit was made with cardboard, copper tape, and
a few electronic components like LEDs. Here’s some of our favorite stuff to work with:

sketchbook construction
toys

Phillips head craft

screwdriver sticks
string

cereal
box
rubber bands pipe cleaners markers

milk
carton duct tape

plastic bottle

cardboard
tubes
ruler

cardboard paper

39
INVENT A
CHALLENGE 01

  30
SELF-DRIVING MINUTES
(MINIMUM)

VEHICLE
TIME LEVEL

START BY BUILDING THE CIRCUIT CRUISER, A VEHICLE THAT

GETS AROUND ON TWO DC MOTORS. Add extra features
to this lean, mean, mobile machine. Use it to deliver
school supplies to your friends, help your teacher pass out
papers, or wake up your sleeping classmate.

BITSTM + MATERIALS

battery p7 power o25 DC motor (×2) w1 wire

i5 slide dimmer a25 wheel (×2) a30 mounting board a31 battery mount
 1
BUILD YOUR CIRCUIT.

i5 SLIDE DIMMER
o25 DC MOTOR

o25 DC MOTOR

p7 POWER

w1 WIRE

41
2 3
PRESS THE WHEELS ONTO THE DC MOTORS. PRESS YOUR CIRCUIT ONTO THE MOUNTING BOARD.

42
4 5
SLIDE THE BATTERY INTO THE BATTERY MOUNT AND ATTACH IT TO THE PRESS THE MOTORS ONTO EITHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTING BOARD.
MOUNTING BOARD.

43
6 7
SET THE FIRST DC MOTOR TO CCW (COUNTERCLOCKWISE) AND THE TEST YOUR CIRCUIT. With the slide dimmer set all the way up, the car
SECOND DC MOTOR TO CW (CLOCKWISE). should move forward. Troubleshooting pg 71.

021 number: DIRECTION:

025 DC motor:
read volts CW
CCW

TEST YOUR
CIRCUIT.
025 DC motor: DIRECTION:
025 DC motor:
VAR CCW
CW

POWER:
ON

Let’s g
i
whee ve these
ls a s
pin!

44
HOW IT WORKS
o25 DC MOTOR p7 POWER sends a signal through the circuit.
Control the direction your car drives by
The w1 WIRE receives the signal from the power and
flipping the mode switches. Because the
sends it along to the slide dimmer.
motors face opposite directions, they
need to be set in opposite spin modes to
The i5 SLIDE DIMMER controls how much power goes to
drive in one direction. Setting the motors
the motors.
to the same direction mode will create a
car that spins around in circles.
The first o25 DC MOTOR uses the signal from the slide
dimmer to determine its speed. It then passes this signal onto
the second motor.
i5 SLIDE DIMMER

The slide dimmer is like the gas pedal for your car. The second o25 DC MOTOR reads the signal from the first
As you slide it up, more power goes to your motors. motor and also uses it to determine its speed.

w1 WIRE

The wire gives you more flexibility in how

you position your Bits on the board.

45
 HOW CAN YOU LEVEL-UP YOUR CAR? LET’S EXPERIMENT!

A B C
CHANGE HOW YOU CONTROL SUPE IT UP! BUILD A TRAILER FOR YOUR HOST A CAR SHOW! Present the best
THE CAR. VEHICLE USING MATERIALS features of the car you made. Let others test
AROUND YOU. drive it.

• Use inputs other than the slide dimmer. • Add a siren using lights or the buzzer, or • How much stuff can your vehicle haul? ASK YOUR FRIENDS WHAT THEY WOULD USE
Try a light sensor you control with a a speedometer using the number Bit . TM
YOUR VEHICLE FOR – sending messages,
flashlight, or string two wires together passing snacks, borrowing pencils –
• Give your vehicle a body or form. Give it
with a button to have a “remote” control. and show them how it could accomplish
some character!
that function.
• Use building blocks like LEGO® bricks to
build a bigger car or even a train. SHARE YOUR INVENTIONS
ONLINE AT LITTLEBITS
CLASSROOM

46
 INVENT
CHALLENGE 02

  30
AN ART MINUTES
(MINIMUM)

MACHINE
TIME LEVEL

START BY CREATING A DOODLE WIZARD – a bot made with

DC motors, and a pulse that dances, wiggles, and draws
up a storm. Add your own artistic flair by changing up some
of the Bits and materials to create unique masterpieces.

BITSTM + MATERIALS

battery p7 power i16 pulse o25 DC motor (×2) a25 wheel (×2)

•markers
•drawing surface
•rubber band/
masking tape
a30 mounting board a31 battery mount (not included)

47
 1
BUILD YOUR CIRCUIT.

i16 PULSE

p7 POWER

o25 DC MOTOR

o25 DC MOTOR

48
2 3
PRESS THE WHEELS ONTO THE DC MOTORS. PRESS YOUR CIRCUIT ONTO
THE MOUNTING BOARD.

4
SLIDE THE BATTERY INTO THE BATTERY MOUNT AND ATTACH IT TO THE BACK
OF THE MOUNTING BOARD.

49
 5 7
ATTACH MOTORS TO THE MOUNTING BOARD. SET THE PULSE SPEED TO THE SLOWEST SETTING.

SPEED:
SLIDE TO ADJUST

025 DC motor:
CW

6
ADJUST BOTH MOTOR MODES TO CCW (COUNTER CLOCKWISE).

021 number: DIRECTION:

025 DC motor:
read volts CCW
CCW

50
CCW motors

CCW motors
8 9
ATTACH THE MARKER. TEST YOUR CIRCUIT. When you turn the
power on, one wheel should spin all
the time while the other one alternates
USE A RUBBER BAND
OR MASKING TAPE TO between spinning and stopping.
ATTACH THE MARKER.
Troubleshooting pg 71.

POWER:
ON

MAKE SURE THE TIP

OF THE MARKER
JUST TOUCHES THE
DRAWING SURFACE.

TEST YOUR
CIRCUIT.

Now
Make let’s make
a ser some
and p ies of draw art!
ick in
your a few of gs,
favor
ites.

51
HOW IT WORKS
i16 PULSE p7 POWER sends a signal through the circuit.
The speed slider controls how fast the pulse
The first o25 DC MOTOR receives that signal and spins at
flips on and off. Adjusting it will change how
full speed in one direction.
often and how long the second motor spins.
The signal passes through the motor and on to the
i16 PULSE . The pulse only lets the signal through in
short bursts.

When the second o25 DC MOTOR gets a signal from the

pulse, it spins, but when the pulse switches off, the motor stops.

o25 DC MOTOR

This switch controls which direction the motor

spins. Changing the direction of the spin will
change how the Doodle Wizard moves.

a25 WHEEL

Your Doodle Wizard’s movement is caused by friction between the

wheels and the drawing surface. The motion of your Doodle Wizard
will change if it is placed on different types of drawing surfaces
(e.g. rough paper, glossy paper, or a whiteboard). You could also
experiment with adding different materials to the face of the wheels
and see how changes in friction change your drawings.

52
 WHAT ELSE CAN YOUR INVENTION DO? LET’S EXPERIMENT!

A B C
ADJUST THE BITS TO CREATE YOUR WHAT OTHER MATERIALS CAN TRY ADDING NEW BITS. SET UP A GALLERY SHOW. Present your art
OWN UNIQUE DRAWING STYLE. YOU USE? alongside your Doodle Wizard.

SEE IF YOUR AUDIENCE CAN GUESS

• How does changing the speed of the • Use different drawing tools, like chalk, • What happens when you use a servo WHICH BITS YOU USED, JUST BY LOOKING
pulse or the direction that the motors crayons, pens, or pencils. to draw? AT YOUR DRAWINGS. Challenge them
spin make your drawings different? to invent a machine to recreate your
• Attach multiple drawing tools to use • What happens when you add or swap
masterpiece.
• Which adjustments make your favorite at once. an input?
drawings?
• Try the Doodle Wizard on different SHARE YOUR
INVENTION
drawing surfaces. AT LITTLEBITS
CLASSROOM

53
 INVENT A
CHALLENGE 03

1
THROWING HOUR
(MINIMUM)

ARM
TIME LEVEL

START BY BUILDING A LAUNCHER THAT FLINGS

PROJECTILES WITH A SERVO AT THE PRESS OF A BUTTON.
Set up a tower of cups and try to knock them over. Then
modify your launcher to make it even more accurate,
powerful, or speedy. Challenge your friends to see
who can knock over the most cups.

BITSTM + MATERIALS

battery p7 power i3 button o11 servo

•scissors
• rubber band
•paper cups
• masking tape
a23 mechanical arm a30 mounting board a31 battery mount (not included)

54
1
BUILD YOUR CIRCUIT.

i3 BUTTON

p7 POWER

o11 SERVO

55
2 4
PRESS YOUR CIRCUIT ONTO THE MOUNTING BOARD. PRESS THE SERVO MOUNT ONTO THE MOUNTING BOARD AND ADJUST
SERVO MODE.

i12 temp. MODE:

i12 temp.
sensor: TURN
sensor:
Fahrenheit celsius
mode mode
i13 light i13 light
sensor: sensor:
light mode dark mode
o11 servo: o11 servo:
swing mode turn mode

3 5
SLIDE THE BATTERY INTO THE BATTERY MOUNT AND ATTACH IT TO THE BACK OF TURN POWER ON.
THE MOUNTING BOARD.

POWER:
ON

56
6 7
WITH POWER ON, CONNECT THE MECHANICAL ARM TO THE SERVO AT A MAKE A BUCKET FOR THE LAUNCHER.
90 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE MOUNTING BOARD, AS SHOWN.

8
TAPE THE BUCKET TO THE FREE END OF THE
MECHANICAL ARM.

USE
MASKING
TAPE.

57
9
CRUMPLE UP A HALF SHEET OF NOTEBOOK PAPER TO LAUNCH.

10
TEST YOUR CIRCUIT. Pressing the button should
rotate the mechanical arm. Troubleshooting pg 71.

time!
i t 's game d invent
TEST YOUR Now target an ends.
CIRCUIT.
te a ur fri
Cr a e with yo
e
a gam

58
 HOW IT WORKS
p7 POWER sends a signal to the button.

When pressed, the i3 BUTTON lets the signal through to

the servo.

When the o11 SERVO gets the signal, it turns, rotating the
arm and throwing the projectile.

a23 MECHANICAL ARM

The farther you place your cup from the servo hub, the
faster it will swing. You can experiment with extending the
mechanical arm with other materials, but you’ll have to
pay attention to weight.

As the cup gets farther from the hub, it also takes more
force to move it. If your arm gets too long it will over­
power the servo motor and will be hard to move. This
relationship between distance and force is called torque.

o11 SERVO

When it’s in TURN mode, the position of the servo

is determined by the incoming signal. At 0 volts,
the servo is all the way to the left. If the incoming
signal is at full power (5 volts), the servo arm is all
vent the way to the right. When the button makes the
ends. signal go from 0 to 5 volts quickly, the arm swings
quickly. This speed helps your ball fly farther.

59
 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE OR CHANGE? LET’S EXPERIMENT!

A B C
TRY EXPERIMENTING WITH THE HOW COULD USING OTHER BITS WHAT OTHER GAMES CAN YOU WHAT NEW GAME DID YOU INVENT?
MECHANICS OF YOUR CATAPULT. MAKE IT BETTER? PLAY? COULD YOU INVENT YOUR Make it official. Give it a name. Write the
OWN? official rules and share what you created.

• How does changing the length of the • Switch the button with a pulse Bit for • Try miniature golf, baseball, or bowling! GATHER YOUR FRIENDS AND START A
mechanical arm change the throwing automatic firing. TOURNAMENT. What do they think of the
distance? game? Is it too easy? Too hard? Just right?
• Add a number Bit to count the number of
shots taken.
• Try different objects for balls. What gets SHARE YOUR INVENTIONS
ONLINE AT LITTLEBITS
thrown the farthest? How does the size • Creating a moving target with one of the CLASSROOM
and shape affect the distance traveled? motors and the other mechanical arm.

• What happens when you change the bucket

size or shape? How does it affect the throw?

60
 INVENT A
CHALLENGE 04

1
SECURITY HOUR
(MINIMUM)

DEVICE
TIME LEVEL

START BY MAKING THE BACKPACK ALARM WITH THE LIGHT

SENSOR, PULSE, AND BUZZER. This light-sensitive alarm
will alert you if someone is snooping around your stuff.
Customize your alarm for different places around the school.
a1 - battery & cable a6 - hook & loop shoes
a6 - hook & loop shoes
a1 - battery & cable

a1 - battery & cable a6 - hook & loop shoes

a1 - battery & cable a6 - hook & loop shoes p1 - power

p1 - power i13 - light sensor
i13 - light sensor

BITSTM + MATERIALS i13 - light sensor

o6 - buzzer
p1 - power i16 - pulse o6 - buzzer
i16 - pulse

battery p7 power i13 light sensor i16 pulse o6 buzzer

a1 - battery & cable a6 - hook & loop shoes o6 - buzzer

i16 - pulse

•backpack
a6 hook & hook & loop
loop shoes adhesive strip (not included)

61
 1
BUILD YOUR CIRCUIT.

i13 LIGHT SENSOR

p7 POWER

o6 BUZZER

i16 PULSE

62
2 3
ADJUST YOUR LIGHT SENSOR. Switch to "light" mode and move the sensitivity SET THE PULSE SPEED TO THE SLOWEST SETTING.
slider all the way to the right.

SPEED:
SLIDE TO ADJUST

025 DC motor:
CW

MODE:
i12 temp.
LIGHT
sensor:
Fahrenheit
mode
i13 light
sensor:
light mode

4
o11 servo:
swing mode
SENSITIVITY:
SLIDE TO ADJUST PRESS HOOK & LOOP SHOES ONTO YOUR CIRCUIT.

025 DC motor:
CW

a1 - battery & cable a6 - hook & loop shoes

a1 - battery & cable a6 - hook & loop shoes

a1 - battery & cable a6 - hook & loop shoes

63
p1 - power i13 - light sensor

p1 - power i13 - light sensor

p1 - power i13 - light sensor

5
PLACE THE ALARM INSIDE YOUR BACKPACK.

POWER:
ON

PRO TIP:
TRY USING THE
HOOK & LOOP
STRIP TO KEEP YOUR
CIRCUIT IN PLACE.

6
TEST YOUR CIRCUIT. The buzzer should BUZZ when your circuit is
exposed to light, and stop buzzing when it is completely covered up. You
may need to adjust the sensitivity of your light sensor to get it just right.
Troubleshooting p. 71.

TEST YOUR
CIRCUIT.

Can a
backp nyone op
ack w en yo
u
off th ithout setti r
e ala n g
rm?

64
 HOW IT WORKS
i13 LIGHT SENSOR
The sends a signal through the circuit.
nsor Some bags might not be totally dark inside.
p7 POWER

If your alarm sounds even in the bag, try

The i13 LIGHT SENSOR is in light mode. When the alarm
sliding the sensitivity slider to the left a little.
is inside your bag, no light hits the sensor, so it doesn’t
If your alarm doesn’t sound at all, make sure
allow a signal to pass through. When you open the bag,
the sensitivity slider is moved all the way to
light shines in on the sensor, letting the signal through to the
the right.
pulse. The more light that shines on the sensor, the more
signal it lets through and the louder your buzzer will sound.
This is the light sensor component. It only
senses light that reaches it, so the direction
The i16 PULSE Bit is continuously switching on and off.
that the circuit faces will affect how much
When it gets a signal from the light sensor, it only lets it
light is sensed.
through in short bursts.

The o6 BUZZER sounds when it gets the signal from the

p7 POWER
pulse, but is quiet when the pulse flips off. This changing
o6 BUZZER
between on and off produces the alarm noise to scare off
the snooper.

i16 PULSE

The speed slider will let you adjust how fast

(and frantic) your alarm sounds.

If your pulse Bit is set too fast your buzzer

may not have time to vibrate and may not
make any noise.

your
ting

65
 HOW CAN YOU CUSTOMIZE YOUR ALARM?

A B C
CHANGE THE BIT SETTINGS. WILL YOUR ALARM WORK MAKE YOUR ALARM MORE PROMOTE YOUR INVENTION! Create a
IN DIFFERENT PLACES OR EFFECTIVE. 30-second commercial explaining how
SCENARIOS? useful it is.

• Switch the light sensor mode to DARK to • Try it in your desk drawer, locker, or • Snap on a DC motor and create a sign HOW DO YOUR CLASSMATES’ ALARMS
create an alarm that sounds when it is under your backpack. with a scary monster on it. COMPARE WITH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN?
dark. Where could an alarm like this Write a product review for your favorite
• Put it on the windowsill as a • Amplify the sound (try using a paper cup
be useful? tech publication.
wake-up alarm. or cone).
• If your alarm didn't sound reliably, try SHARE YOUR INVENTIONS
• Use it to prank someone when they turn • Add lights. ONLINE AT LITTLEBITS
adjusting the sensitivity of the light sensor. CLASSROOM
out the lights.
• Adjust the speed of the pulse Bit to change
how fast the alarm sounds. What setting
do you think makes the best alarm?

66
 Rob ta nt
ot Assis

Vo ti
ng M
achi
ne

HACK YOUR
OPEN CHALLENGE 01
USE BITS AND YOUR WITS TO MAKE THE CLASSROOM OF THE FUTURE. You spend a lot of

1 time in your school and classroom. How can you make it even more fun to be there?

CLASSROOM
Pinpoint something that could be easier, especially exciting, or that you wish existed. Use
HOUR your expertise to design an invention that makes school extra awesome. Perhaps your new
(MINIMUM)
invention will become an essential part of the classroom in the future!
TIME LEVEL
 1 2
CREATE A LIST OF WAYS YOU COULD MAKE SELECT THE ISSUE YOU WANT TO WORK ON. Maybe it’s something a lot of people
YOUR CLASSROOM BETTER. Need ideas? Ask feel strongly about, or that you find particularly interesting.
your friends or teachers about what bothers
them or what they’d like improved. You could
even level-up something you already like.

fun useful
A X O
B O X
too heavy!
C X X

3 4
LOOK THROUGH YOUR BITS AND MATERIALS AND THINK ABOUT HOW EACH SKETCH OUT IDEAS, PICK YOUR FAVORITE, AND CREATE A PROTOTYPE. When
ONE COULD HELP. Could motion, light, or sound help you achieve your mission? you create a physical model of your idea, it is easier to understand how it
How about buttons or dimmers? If you’re not sure what a Bit does or how it could works. Don’t worry about getting everything right on the first try though. The
help, snap it into a circuit and start to play with it. If you’re still stumped, read important thing is to just get started and experiment.
through the “Bit Index” section at the beginning of this booklet.

lights Tissue Delivery Bot

sound

68
 PRO TIP: EVERY TIME YOU
TRY SOMETHING NEW, PLAY
WITH YOUR INVENTION TO
TEST IT OUT.

SHARE YOUR INVENTIONS

ONLINE AT LITTLEBITS
CLASSROOM

TEST YOUR PROTOTYPE. Set up your invention in the DID PLAYING WITH YOUR INVENTION GO THE WAY YOU CREATE A SHORT COMIC. Show what classroom life was like
classroom and see what you can learn about how it works. EXPECTED? Now’s your chance to experiment with fixes and before and after your invention, and how it has improved
Your invention might not work the way you thought, but improvements. You might need to make things sturdier, work things. Inventors often draw comics like these called
that’s ok, it’s part of the invention process! Take note of on the mechanics of moving parts, or try using different Bits storyboards to describe how their invention works. These
what works and what doesn’t so you can improve it. to achieve your mission. stories are a great way to show people what you did and
why it’s important.
MAKE WACKY AND WEIRD EXPERIMENTS PART OF YOUR
INVENTION PROCESS. Sometimes really great ideas come SET UP AND SHOW OFF YOUR INVENTION TO SOME
from unexpected places. Close your eyes and pick a Bit CLASSMATES OR YOUR TEACHER. How can their feedback
at random. How could this Bit add something cool to your help your invention grow? Do they have ideas for
invention? Is it better now or before? Try this with a few improvements? Can they think of other ways it could be
different Bits. used? Their ideas can be great fuel for another round of
remixing, playing, and sharing.

69
 Do
or
Al a
rm
with Light

Robot Clean er

INVENT FOR
OPEN CHALLENGE 02
INVENT A PRODUCT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE. How does a

2 product get invented? Here at littleBits we use the Invention Cycle! When it’s time to
TM

GOOD
create a new kit we go through the same process that you do. We brainstorm, create
HOURS prototypes, play with them, let kids around the country play with them, and we remix
(MINIMUM)
over and over again until we get things right. When it’s all done, we get to share it with
TIME LEVEL the world. In this challenge you’re going to think like a product designer and invent
something that helps someone else. Who knows, maybe you’ll start the next company
like littleBits!
 A B

1 2
CREATE A LIST OF IDEAS FOR A PRODUCT. Start SELECT THE ISSUE YOU WANT TO WORK ON. It could be the one that sounds the
by thinking about where there are frustrations most fun to solve, or creates the biggest difference in someone else’s life.
or difficulties in someone’s life. For example, a
person who has trouble hearing might need a
way to know if someone is knocking at their door.

A B

A B

3 4
LOOK THROUGH YOUR BITS TM AND MATERIALS AND THINK ABOUT HOW EACH SKETCH OUT IDEAS, PICK YOUR FAVORITE, AND CREATE A PROTOTYPE. Don’t
ONE COULD HELP. Also take a look at everyday objects you could make better worry about getting everything right on the first try. The important thing is to just get
with Bits. For example, if you wanted to design a productAthat B
makes doing started and experiment. Building a physical model of your idea makes it easier to
chores more fun, you could start with a broom. share with others and collect feedback on your design.

A B

71
 &!
@~#*
&! @~#*

SHARE YOUR INVENTIONS

&! ONLINE AT LITTLEBITS
@~#*
&! @~#* CLASSROOM

TEST YOUR PROTOTYPE. The first product tester will be DID PLAYING WITH YOUR INVENTION GO THE WAY YOU CREATE A SKIT, A PRINT, OR VIDEO ADVERTISEMENT
you. Pretend you are a customer who just purchased your EXPECTED? Now’s your chance to experiment with fixes ABOUT WHAT YOU’VE INVENTED. It should explain what
invention. How well does it do its job? Take notes about and improvements. Could adding a new Bit add important
TM
your invention is and how it can help make life better for the
what works and what doesn’t. You can make changes in the features? Would craft materials make it stronger or give it a customer. Share it with the world!
next version. new look?
RECRUIT A TEAM. A lot of product designers work in teams
HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TEST YOUR INVENTION AFTER because sharing different ideas and perspectives makes
YOU’VE MADE A FEW IMPROVEMENTS. If possible, try to for a better design process. Show your invention to some
find the type of person you’re designing it for. Ask about friends. Could you all work together to create an even
their favorite parts, and what suggestions they have for better product?
making it better. Use their feedback to create an even
better version of your invention.

72
 Page Flipper

INVENT A CHAIN
OPEN CHALLENGE 03
PERFORM A VERY SIMPLE TASK IN A NOT-SO-SIMPLE WAY. Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist
who liked to draw really complicated solutions to very simple problems. For example, to turn

REACTION
the page of a book, you might roll a ball down a ramp that hits a box. Then the box falls
over and scares a hamster that starts running on its wheel, that winds up a string that turns the
page. In this challenge, you’re going to design your own multi-step machine. Before you

CONTRAPTION
start inventing, there are two important rules:

1) Once you start your machine, it needs to be able to run without any help from you.
Each step must be triggered automatically by the step before it.

3
HOURS
2) Your machine should have at least two steps. (Bonus points if you can create more steps!)

(MINIMUM)

TIME LEVEL
 1 2
CREATE A LIST OF EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES THAT SELECT THE EVERYDAY ACTIVITY YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH.
ONLY TAKE ONE STEP. For example, dropping Which one do you think will be the most fun for this challenge?
a can in the recycling bin, flipping on a light
switch, or opening a book.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

3 4
LOOK THROUGH YOUR BITS AND MATERIALS AND THINK ABOUT HOW EACH SKETCH OUT IDEAS, PICK YOUR FAVORITE, AND CREATE A PROTOTYPE OF
ONE COULD HELP. Could motion, light, or sound help you achieve your mission? YOUR CONTRAPTION. Don’t worry about getting everything right on the first
How about buttons or dimmers? If you’re not sure what a Bit does or how it could
TM
try. The important thing is to just get started and experiment.
help, snap it into a circuit and start to play with it. If you’re still stumped, read
through the “Bit Index” section at the beginning of this booklet.

DC motor
button

SeRvo

74
 9-6 = 3

y=x + 6x +9
2

SHARE YOUR INVENTIONS

ONLINE AT LITTLEBITS
CLASSROOM

TEST YOUR PROTOTYPE. Getting all of these moving pieces DID PLAYING WITH YOUR INVENTION GO THE WAY YOU TAKE A VIDEO OF YOUR INVENTION AND POST IT TO
to work together is going to be a challenge. Try running EXPECTED? Now’s your chance to experiment with fixes YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNEL. People love
your contraption a few times. Record where it works the best and improvements. How can you make your machine more watching a crazy contraption in action! While you’re online,
and where it isn’t so reliable. You can use this information to reliable? Maybe you need to strengthen some materials, look up some Rube Goldberg cartoons and create your
refine your design. change the angle of a ramp, or try using different Bits for
TM
own that describes what your invention is used for and how
one of your steps. it works.

Set your invention aside and look through your remaining Challenge a friend. Show them your invention and see
Bits and materials. Could you complete a step with them? if they can accomplish the same task, but using totally
Try a few options to see how they compare to what you different steps.
already have.

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 Rew
ard
ne
chi

ing
a Recycler
Reminder M

HACK YOUR
OPEN CHALLENGE 04
CREATE AN INVENTION TO TRACK YOUR DAILY HABITS, THEN TRANSFORM YOUR

4 INVENTION TO MAKE LIFE BETTER. How much use does your classroom’s recycling bin

HABITS
get? Maybe you could invent something to encourage people to use it more often!
HOURS How many times a day do you have to go back to your locker because you forgot
(MINIMUM)
something? Maybe you could invent something that counts these trips and reminds
TIME LEVEL you to grab what you need! Now’s your chance to use your inventing powers to
get to the bottom of these types of questions and invent a gadget to make your
everyday experience better.
 1 2
CREATE A LIST OF THINGS YOU OR YOUR SELECT THE HABIT YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT. Is there one that makes
CLASSMATES DO THAT YOU WANT TO KNOW you the most happy, passionate, or upset? It’s always good to work on something
MORE ABOUT. Maybe it’s a habit you’d like to that means a lot to you.
improve on (how can I make fewer trips to my
locker?), something you’re curious about (how
many high fives can I get in a day?), or an issue option A
you’d like to help other people understand (why
don’t your classmates recycle?). Try to list as Pros Cons
many different habits as possible.

3 4
LOOK THROUGH YOUR BITS TM AND MATERIALS AND THINK ABOUT HOW EACH SKETCH OUT IDEAS, PICK YOUR FAVORITE, AND CREATE A PROTOTYPE OF A
ONE COULD MEASURE OR TRACK THAT HABIT. Could the button help you know DATA-COLLECTION MACHINE. Don’t worry about getting everything right on
when something is moved? Could the light sensor detect when something is the first try. The important thing is to just get started and experiment. Building a
opened? physical model of your idea will help you figure out the best way to track habits.

number

button

PRO TIP: PAIRING AN INPUT BIT

TM

WITH THE NUMBER (IN COUNT MODE)

CAN BE A REALLY HELPFUL COUNTER
IN THIS PROJECT.

77
 High-Five-o-meter

r Recycling.
Thank You fo
a FR EE donut!
Here’s

SHARE YOUR INVENTIONS

ONLINE AT LITTLEBITS
EDUCATION

TEST YOUR PROTOTYPE. To get it working reliably, it will DID PLAYING WITH YOUR INVENTION GO THE WAY YOU COMPARE THE TRACKING INFORMATION FROM BEFORE
probably take a bit of adjusting and redesigning. Once you EXPECTED? Now’s your chance to experiment with fixes AND AFTER YOU MADE CHANGES. Now you know more
have it down, you can start tracking your life. and improvements. Did it gather data well? Do you think it about how people behave and what motivates them. More
was accurate? Now that you know a little more about your importantly, you have the data to prove it! Create a poster
MAKE A HYPOTHESIS ABOUT THE RESULTS YOU WILL GET. circuit and the habit you’re exploring, you can tinker with that describes the habit you were studying and how your
For your first trial, decide how long you want to use the the invention to make it work better. invention affected it. Share it with the world!
invention for. For example, if you’re tracking recycling bin
use, how many times do you think it gets used daily? Soon HOW CAN YOU ADD NEW FEATURES TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TRY YOUR INVENTION FOR THE DAY.
you’ll have data to test your theory! HABITS? For example, could an invention that tracks use of Do you think your invention could be useful elsewhere?
the recycling bin also reward people for recycling? Would Maybe another classroom wants to encourage recycling, or
that make them more likely to recycle? Try it out and see if it a friend wants to know what seats in the cafeteria are the
changes your data. most popular.

78
TROUBLESHOOTING IN-DEPTH TROUBLESHOOTING
AVAILABLE AT SUPPORT.SPHERO.COM
OR ON THE LITTLEBITS INVENT APP.

1 2 3
MAKE SURE YOUR POWER BIT TM IS ON. You TRY SWAPPING IN A NEW 9 VOLT BATTERY. Low ENSURE THE POWER CABLE IS SECURELY
should see a red LED illuminated on the board. batteries can cause a circuit to act erratically. Bits TM
FASTENED TO BOTH THE POWER BIT AND THE
have different power demands. For example: a DC BATTERY.
motor may appear to not be working while a light
still shines brightly.

4 5
CHECK YOUR CONNECTIONS. Are all the Bits securely MAKE SURE YOUR BITS ARE ARRANGED IN THE STILL HAVING TROUBLE? Visit littleBits.com/faq or contact our
snapped to each other? You can also try gently wiping PROPER ORDER. Remember that you always need customer service team at [email protected].
down the ends of the bitSnaps with a soft cloth (like a power Bit & power supply at the beginning of
your sleeve). Sometimes dust gets in the way of a each circuit, and an output Bit at the end. If the
strong connection. Try unsnapping, cleaning the last Bit in your chain is an input, then it won’t do
bitSnaps, and snapping it all back together again. anything to affect your circuit.
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CONTINUE YOUR
INVENTOR JOURNEY EXPLORE LITTLEBITS CLASSROOM FOR...

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challenges, and new invention and submit your solutions.

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Classroom.

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680-0522-750