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Ask HN: Great maker projects for 8th grade kids and above?

75 points ostaquet | 1 comments | 17 Nov 24 10:36 UTC | HN request time: 0.242s | source

As a father of a 13-year-old kid, I tried to do my best to initiate him to different aspects of life. It could be watching a documentary about black holes, building coffee table or just enjoying a simple walk in nature.

I asked to some friends if they have great project idea that could be done by an 8th grade kid with or without support. I personally like to do it with him as it is a privileged time to build something together (for me) and learn new skills (for him).

The purpose of this thread is to assemble some ideas for Christmas presents.

I’m starting…

1. DIY LED Christmas tree kit for soldering (https://www.az-delivery.de/en/products/diy-weihnachtsbaum-kit-alles-inklusive-versandkostenfrei)

2. Software Defined Radios kit (https://www.rtl-sdr.com/about-rtl-sdr/ and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD7558GT)

3. DIY Internet Radio Alarm clock with touch screen control (https://www.az-delivery.de/en/products/radiowecker-mit-dem-az-touch)

Any other ideas or suggestions?

1. hecanjog ◴[21 Nov 24 23:57 UTC] No.42209919[source]▶
Aolean harp! I'm planning a workshop for kids around this now: build the harp & resonator however you like (two flower pots with a piece of fishing line in between for example -- more ideas here: https://www.homemade-dessert-recipes.com/aeolian-harp.html) then add a contact mic to the resonator and do some simple digital processing (delays and phase shifts) on the waveforms to demonstrate signal arithmetic and the basics of acoustics.