Step 1) Materials you’ll need

• PAM8403 board
• Old USB cable
• Old headphone jack
• Old speaker(s) 
• Speaker wire
• Box to house the speakers and wiring

I have been buying these supplies in bulk so my students can all have access. Teachers can purchase sets for their classrooms and share in the bulk prices. 

This is the materials for a different project: Make a jigglebot or a doodlebot

Step Two: Spend time brainstorming

This is the most important step – do not skip it! Innovative Arts students use the random idea generator (instructions here) to generate possible ideas. The full course on creativity can be found here.    

Ideas to customize this project – make yours unique

• Can this be built into something like a desk?
• Could your speakers fit into an old Clorox Wipes container?
• Look at the small objects around you. Could any of those be made into a small speaker?
• Could your speaker be based on your favorite sport?

Step Three: Understand the Project

Step Four: Make your project!

As you build, you will probably think of improvements to make or ways to make your project better. You may even decide to start over with a better idea. Most projects need several changes before they are finished!

Step Five: Customize your project!

As you build, you will probably think of improvements to make or ways to make your project better. You may even decide to start over with a better idea. Most projects need several changes before they are finished!

Adjust after your first attempts

As you build, you will probably think of improvements to make or ways to make your project better. You may even decide to start over with a better idea. Most projects need several changes before they are finished!

Useful links for teachers:

This site holds the resources for Innovative Arts class, a class that replaced our technology class in our middle school. Students learn to create as engineers, designers, and more. At the same time, we are learning about our brains/mindsets (‘Puzzle‘), engage technology (‘Shift‘) and the creative process (‘Create‘).

New resources are being added constantly, so I send out a weekly roundup email with all of the new resources. Sign up to stay in the loop.