Mad Science Circuits

My husband, Rob, teaches Physics.  Our son-in-law is a computer systems engineer.  Our grandson, Paul, nine, loves Physics, computers, programming, and circuits.  Surprise!  Paul shows young friends who visit how to use Coji, a robot, which is easy to program.  We have tried many types of circuits and related projects.  We like Snap Circuits.  The parts work and Kits are frequently listed on Good Will.  The motors burn out fairly easily.  We have only made the copter fly a few times.  Snap Circuits are a genius means of introducing the basics of circuits.  Rob likes Squishy Circuits for his Physics classes.  He prefers to make his own clay dough.  Play-doh is conductive and works with Makey Makey.  (Modeling clay is usually nonconductive.). We tried Little Bits.  In fact we spent an afternoon with Paul struggling with Little Bits and a series of videos.  The issue is getting the projects to snap into the mounting board—not the Bits.  Another type of circuits is  Paper Circuits.  I love the idea of making my own light up birthday card.  In reality, Rob, his classes, and I have spent hours trying to get the paper circuits to light the LED bulbs successfully and consistently.  Believe me, I made sure to buy new coin batteries and LED bulbs in case they were the issue.  Nope. Similarly, the Physics classes have had no luck with Conductive Ink Pens.  We love the idea—loathe the execution.  Want one more idea?  Try inductive cars.  The car follows a line you draw.  Yes!  Inductive cars are available on eBay!  The kids can puzzle out how it works.  It has an optical sensor.  Now you know what kinds of geeks we are.