STEM is Magic Carpet

 in Magic Carpet by

Combining the magic of textiles with the magic of technology is the ‘STEM is Magic Carpet’ – a small throw rug with embedded lights and motion. Designed to be brought to STEM outreach events and build enthusiasm for learning electronics and programming, it integrates EL wire, servo motors, Neo pixel LEDs, a ‘Persistence of Vision’ LED board and a C02 apparatus. At outreach events it will delight children and adults by lighting up, spinning its tassels, showing a magic genie when pulled through the air and, when rolled up, unrolling itself.

 

Magic Carpet

Supplies include:

  • Carpet
  • Tassels
  • El Wire
  • 4 small motors
  • 2 inflatable membranes
  • C02 cartridges and attachments
  • NeoPixels
  • Arduino
  • Battery

Time line is:

  • March 1st Research & circuit design
  • March 8th Purchase materials
  • March 15th Sew in EL wire, POV neoPixels & Arduino
  • March 22 POV programming
  • March 29th Motor for tassels
  • April 5th C02 Membrane & Cartridges
  • April 21th Finishing touches &  integration
  • April 26th Troubleshooting

 

Fallback plan is that each feature will be added sequentially until time runs out, and incomplete aspects will remain in project until the summer when more time is available.