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Jackson and I just completed our second EEME kit, Project DIY Display!
You may remember the review we did last month of EEME’s Project Genius Light, in which we learned all about a breadboard, resistors, LED lights, and wires….and all the amazing electronic projects you could build with them. And even though I had had ZERO experience with electronics, EEME’s thorough step-by-step instructions enabled us to successfully complete each step of Project Genius Light!
So naturally, when EEME asked if we’d like to review the second project in their Builder Basic 6-Project Set, we happily agreed.
What is EEME?
Let me remind you a little about EEME. EEME kits are designed to teach electronics, science and technology to children—all those important STEM skills–particularly for those kids aged 7-12. Parents and kids work together to complete each project and learn really cool science in the process. The EEME kits can be purchased singly or in sets, all of them beginning with Project Genius Light. Project DIY Display is set #2!
What’s included in the Project DIY DIsplay set?
The Project DIY Display set builds upon the set from Project Genius Light. So, we already had the breadboard and the battery pack from that set. EEME sent us the following additional components to use in addition to those:
- Long wires and a short wire
- Resistors
- 8-Switch Panel
- Segmented LED
- Pinmounts for both of those
How we used Project DIY Display:
Just like in our first EEME project, Project DIY Display gives the student and parent access to a complete and quite excellent online tutorial, taught by EEME Dad (and company founder) Jack. This project’s online 38-step tutorial is comprised of step-by-step instructions, questions for the student, videos for each part of the process, and safety instructions. In addition, printed instructions for each step are listed on the right side of the videos (the white portion of the photo above), so that you know exactly where each component is to be placed for successful building.
Since there are quite a few steps in this kit, we split up the lesson over two days. (I’d actually planned originally for us to do it over three days, but Jackson was so excited we did it in two!) First, we watched the tutorial for each step of the lesson. Then, we’d identify and select the components for each project. Next, we’d complete the building portion for that step. And then, we’d move on to the next! (Jackson did the actual building, while I was on hand to check his progress and help whenever necessary.)
The Project DIY Display contains the following lessons:
- Reviewing the breadboard and battery
- Safety review
- Installing a segmented LED display
- Sharing (power) current
- Installing and wiring the switch panel
- Connecting the switch panel to the LED display
- and much more!
Our impressions:
I’ve told you before that I was a little nervous about the EEME projects, simply because with my liberal arts background I had never done anything with electronics and little with technology. However, EEME’s thorough step-by-step process makes it easy for any parent–whether she has that STEM background or not–to help her child accurately complete each project. AND to thoroughly enjoy the entire process.
We did run into two snags as we worked on Project DIY Display. However, because EEME Dad Jack breaks down the lessons into manageable portions, and provides lists of where each component needs to go to the right of the video tutorials, we were able to easily locate our errors and correct them. Only two mistakes in 38 steps….not too shabby! 🙂
So by the end, Jackson had connected wires and resistors to the LED component on the breadboard. He’d also connected the LED display to the switch panel. He was able to turn the LED display on and off, and even make it light up in letters and numbers. Although I knew that we’d be able to learn how to do this, I must admit I was pretty amazed at all Jackson accomplished!
Here’s what Jackson thought:
“This is a great project and I was glad to build it. It’s fun playing with the switches, toggling them on and off to create letters and numbers (on the segmented LED). I do recommend you do this after you do the Genius Light Project, for breadboard experience. All in all, another great EEME product.”
In conclusion:
Jackson and I can happily recommend EEME’s Project DIY Display to you, for fabulous STEM learning experiences for your children! You may purchase Project DIY Display at EEME, as part of the Builder Basic 6-Project Set. (As Jackson mentioned above, we do recommend that you complete the Project Genius Light first, both because you’ll need the breadboard and battery pack, and because you’ll learn about the whole electronic building process.
In addition, EEME has free access to curricula on their website. I really recommend you check it out….you’ll get to see for yourself what we’ve been so delighted with!
Enjoy! –Wren
DISCLOSURE: Finch and Wren have affiliate relationships with a number of excellent companies. If you purchase an item through our affiliate links, finchnwren will earn a commission. However, you will never pay more for the item when you purchase it through our links. And, we only recommend products that we truly believe in. Thank you!
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