FunKey Super: a transformative STEM teaching system including a sensor interface board with sensors and outputs.  FunKey Super has multiple preloaded internal modes for teaching invention, block-based coding, physical computing, and Arduino coding.

 

We recognize that teaching STEM topics can be difficult because of the complexity of getting a typical Arduino up and running in a learning situation.  FunKey Super gets you started right out of the box without coding, installations, or drivers of any kind.  Just plug and play and invent.  Click on any mode below for more information.  You change modes by simply connecting an alligator clip to the indicated connections of the board (letter pairs) and plugging the board into a USB. Then disconnect the alligator clip.  It sets to a new mode and stays that way until reprogrammed.  Click on any of the titles below to see more about each mode.

 

Keystroke Mode (W/H) runs right out of the box without any installation or coding.

 

I/O Special mode (F/L) runs out of the box connecting sensors and outputs with USB power or battery power.  Just plug in our sensors and outputs and start inventing.  The connectors are pre-configured to allow a servo motor to be connected, and to provide connections that accomodate sensors whether they are "active high" or "active low".

 

I/O General mode (K/D) run out of the box connecting sensors and outputs with USB power or battery power.  Just plug in our sensors and outputs and start inventing.

 

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Scratch KeyStream mode (A/I) delivers a stream of keystrokes to Scratch representing data coming from sensors.  This mode does NOT require the Scratch Plug In.

 

Blockly mode (G/M) provides block-based coding for inputs and outputs directly from Google Chrome to our sensors and actuators with no installation, node.js, npms or anything else.  

 

Arduino Mode with Breakout Connectors (no mode, just connect the Arduino IDE) Since FunKey has a full Arduino chip onboard, you can program it in Arduino mode with the Arduino IDE, if and when you and your students are ready.  But even at that level it’s a better Arduino board than anything out there, because it has snap-in inputs and outputs instead of headers and breadboards, which are difficult to work with and hard to assemble and keep track of.  

 

Lego Brick Building Capability  FunKey also provides a unique ability to integrate into Lego structures because the board has Lego-spaced and Lego-sized holes and comes with special screws that mate right into Lego bricks.

 

Cardboard and FoamCore Building Capability  FunKey also provides a unique ability to integrate into cardboard and FoamCore structures because the board has holes and comes with special screws that mate right into cardboard, FoamCore and similar materials.

 

Outputs:

Buzzer

LED monocolor

LED RGB multicolor

Servo motor

Hobby motor or any other "heavy" load

 

Sensors available

Earclip heartbeat sensor

Photocell

IR distance ranging sensor

IR proximity sensor

Thermistor

Soil Moisture sensor

Pot

Touch sensor

Pushbutton

Tilt sensor

Motion Sensor

Submersible temperature sensor

 

Any other analog sensor can be used with the addition of a resistor to form a voltage divider.