Littlebits STEAM STUDENT SET User manual

DOWNLOAD THE
TEACHER'S GUIDE
and other classroom
resources at
littleBits.cc/student-set
STEAM
STUDENT SET
INVENTION GUIDE

littleBits Basics
BITTM INDEX
POWER
INPUT
WIRE
OUTPUT
ACCESSORIES
Inventing
with littleBits
Trouble-
shooting
Tips
Continue
Your Inventor
Journey
GUIDED CHALLENGES
Guided challenges start with instructions
for a simple invention. Once you've
created the invention, the challenge moves
into the Remix phase where creativity
really takes o.
Invent a Self-Driving Vehicle
Invent an Art Machine
Invent a Throwing Arm
Invent a Security Device
OPEN CHALLENGES
Open challenges get you to flex your creative
muscles. These challenges start with an
open-ended problem. Your mission is to
explore ways you could use littleBits to create
an invention that solves that problem.
Hack Your Classroom
Invent for Good
Invent a Chain Reaction Contraption
Hack Your Habits
04
06–27
07
09
14
17
24
28
71
72
32–58
32
39
46
53
59–70
59
62
65
68
STEAM
STUDENT SET PG 32 PG 39 PG 46 PG 53
TEACHER'S GUIDE and other
classroom resources available
at littleBits.cc/student-set.
SHARE & DISCOVER inventions
on the littleBits Invent App or
online at littleBits.cc/invention.
STEAM is the evolution of STEM education,
adding Art to Science, Technology, Engineer-
ing, and Math. Students gain technical skills
by exploring creative, collaborative solutions
to real-world problems.
The challenges in the littleBits STEAM Student
Set link to NGSS (Next Generation Science
Standards) Engineering Design standards.
INVENTION GUIDE

2
WE INVENT THE
WORLD WE
WANT TO LIVE IN.

3
WE INVENT THE
WORLD WE
WANT TO LIVE IN.

ANATOMY OF A BITTM
Learn how you can tell top from bottom.
1
BIT FEET
BOTTOM
TOP
BITSNAPS
(“X” ICONS)
OPEN HARDWARE SYMBOL
& LITTLEBITS LOGO
COLOR-CODED BY FUNCTION
BitsTM are grouped into four dierent categories,
which are color-coded.
Learn more about your Bits in the BIT INDEX ON PG 06
2
POWER (BLUE)
Power Bits, plus a power
supply, run power through
your circuit.
INPUT (PINK)
Input Bits accept input from
you or the environment and
send signals that aect the
Bits that follow.
OUTPUT (GREEN)
Output Bits do something –
light up, buzz, move…
WIRE (ORANGE)
Wire Bits connect to other
systems and let you build
circuits in new directions.
BUILD DIRECTION
BASICS
BUILD & PLAY
WITH THIS
CIRCUIT FIRST
i3 button
BIT NAME

5
Learn more about your Bits in the BIT INDEX ON PG 06
MAGNET MAGIC!
Bits snap together with magnets. The magnets are
always right – you can’t snap them together the
wrong way.
3
ARROWS SHOULD POINT IN THE SAME DIRECTION
IF THE BITS WON’T SNAP TOGETHER, TRY SPINNING
ONE AROUND AND MAKE SURE THE ARROWS POINT
IN THE SAME DIRECTION
ORDER IS IMPORTANT
POWER BITS always come rst and INPUT BITS
only aect the OUTPUT BITS that come after them.
4
WITH NO OUTPUT BIT AFTER IT, THE INPUT BIT HAS NOWHERE
TO SEND ITS SIGNAL
THE INPUT BIT AFFECTS THE OUTPUT BITS THAT FOLLOW
SOME BITS ARE ADJUSTABLE
Switches, buttons, and dials on the board allow
you to change how the Bit functions.
5
FLIP THE SWITCH TO CHANGE MODES
ADJUST SENSITIVITY WITH
PURPLE SCREWDRIVER

6
BITTM INDEX
p1 power
p3 USB power
i3 button
i5 slide dimmer
i12 temperature
sensor
i13 light sensor
i16 pulse
w1 wire
w7 fork
w10 inverter
o2 long LED
o3 RGB LED
o6 buzzer
o11 servo
o13 fan
o21 number
o25 DC motor
a5 magnet shoes
a6 hook & loop shoes
a9 mounting board
a10 motorMate
a14 USB power adapter
a19 servo hub
a23 mechanical arm
a24 servo mount
a25 wheel
07
08
POWER INPUT WIRE OUTPUT ACCESSORIES
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Occasionally BitsTM get updated, so the features or appearance
of your Bits may dier from those used in this guide.

7
MEET THE BIT
HOW IT WORKS
p1 POWER
Every circuit starts with power. It provides the electricity that
makes your Bits spin, buzz, blink, and shine.
The power Bit converts the
9 volts of electricity in the
battery to the 5 volts that
littleBits circuits run on.
The power Bit also sends a
signal through your circuit.
Controlling this signal with
inputs is how you control
your circuit.
REAL WORLD ANALOGIES
PHONE CHARGER
o2 LONG LED
p1 POWER
MODE: on/o
On light
SAMPLE CIRCUIT

8
MEET THE BIT
HOW IT WORKS
p3 USB POWER
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.
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
in this Kit use the p1 power
Bit, but you can use the USB
power for all of them as well.
PHONE CHARGER
REAL WORLD ANALOGIES
o3 RGB LED
p3 USB POWER
On light
SAMPLE CIRCUIT