<p>Coding is a big part of how tech, from video games to robots, work. Coding means using a specific computer language to get tech to behave how you want it to. Look around your house right now and think about everything you see that has some form of tech in it. Bonkers, right?! Watch and follow the beginners guide in the link below to create your own animation using code!</p>
<a href="https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/editor/?tutorial=getStarted" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Check it out here!</a>

<form>
    <h2>Check it off!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Check out the video tutorial in the link.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Use code to create an animation.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>

    <h2>You’ll know you did it if…</h2>
    <p>You’re currently researching codes that work for parents.</p>
    <p>You’ve started wondering if your pet is actually run by a computer program!</p>
</form>
<div>
    <h3>Bonkers fact</h3>
    <p>The world record for the most kids coding in one day was set by 28,575 kids around the globe in 2017. That’s about the same population as a small town called Boxmeer in the Netherlands! So, you could say a small town of kids set the record. Way to go, coders!</p>
</div>

Code It Challenge

<p>Ever wonder how video games are made? They’re all constructed using code! That goes for Camp Bonkers Roblox, too, of course. Would you like to learn how to code in Roblox? Check out the video below and then try it for yourself!</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YTtkFAwATQM?start=42" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<form>
    <h2>Check it off!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Watch the video in the link.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Use code to create a game in Roblox studio!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>

    <h2>You’ll know you did it if…</h2>
    <p>Everyone in your life looks like a Roblox avatar for some reason.</p>
    <p>Your parents are now paying your allowance in Robux instead of real bucks.</p>
</form>
<div>
    <h3>Bonkers fact</h3>
    <p>There are 7 million developers on Roblox. To get that many people in a professional soccer or football stadium, you would have to fill it almost 100 times!</p>
</div>

Level Up Challenge

<p>Blast off with this rocket craft, and find out how the tech inside a real rocket is closer to home than you might think!</p>
<p>Rockets may look simple on the outside, but inside there’s a lot of tech to help them get to their galactic destinations. The guidance system in a rocket is made up of computers and sensors, radar, and communication systems that help direct the craft. Does this sound far out? It’s really not! Most cars today are also equipped with tech that helps them work properly. For instance, a car’s navigation system works similarly to one on a rocket—it also uses sensors and radar to know where to go! Not only that, most cars are actually run by computers! These computers are able to tell the driver when something needs fixing, if the driver needs to break (if they’re about to hit something), and more!</p>
<h3>Make it:</h3>
<p>Ready to make your own rocket? Grab a pencil, straw (reusable works!), scissors, tape and measuring tape, then follow the instructions in the video.</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aTd2f59TSVo" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>Ready to blast off? Mark a spot on the floor as a target (clear of people or animals). Then, take a big breath and blow into the straw to see how far you can launch your rocket! Did it meet your target?</p>

<form>
    <h2>Check it off!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Gather the supplies: a pencil, straw, scissors, tape, and measuring tape.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Watch the linked video and follow the instructions.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Mark a target on the floor, then launch your rocket to see how close you get!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <h2>Bonkers Bonus!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Ask a friend to make the rocket, then challenge them to see who can get theirs to launch the farthest. Good luck on your mission!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <h2>You’ll know you did it if…</h2>
    <p>You’ve been doing a full backwards countdown before going on drives!</p>
    <p>Rocket scientist is your new #dreamjobgoal.</p>
</form>
<div>
    <h3>Bonkers fact</h3>
    <p>Ready for another brain blast? Your smartphone is millions of times more powerful than the Apollo 11 guidance computers! Of course, spacecrafts have come a long way since the Apollo 11 mission back in 1969, but it’s still fun to think about how much more advanced tech at home was compared to a rocket in the 60s!</p>
</div>

Ready for Takeoff Challenge

<p>Robots are not only something found in movies, they’re very real, and they’re all around us. Some robots look more like machines—they build cars in factories, sort packages, and repair satellites in space. Other robots take on a more human or ‘bodily’ appearance. Some even have artificial intelligence abilities, which means they can be told to act like a real person using a special code. If you could design your very own robot, what would it do? Would it make your life easier by cleaning your room? Help with your math homework? Or would it just be your best bud? Think about these things as you put your creativity and tech skills to the test by building a dream robot!</p>
<h3>Make it:</h3>
<p>Start by collecting recyclables like cans, cardboard boxes, and containers. Also gather craft materials like tape or glue, pipe cleaner, markers, paint, googly eyes, pompoms, and buttons. Remember: ask an adult before you use anything sharp or take any supplies they might want to know about first.</p>
<p>Based on the materials you have, you can build a larger-than-life robot (think stacked cardboard boxes) or smaller ones (think different sized tin cans, stacked). After you create the body of the robot, have fun designing it! Does it have pie plate eyes and pipe cleaner antennae? Or multiple googly eyes and chopstick arms (alien robot mashup? Yesss!) After you work out your design, think about what you want your robo pal to do for you! Don’t forget to give it a name, too. Congrats on building your own personal robot, tech pro! You can also feel good about giving recyclables a free play by avoiding the blue bin.</p>

<form>
    <h2>Check it off!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Collect as many recyclables as you can!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Once you have a pile, grab some art supplies and get inventing!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Decide how you want your dream robot to look and then build it.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Don’t forget to think about what your robot would do! Homework helper robot sounds great, doesn’t it?</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <h2>You’ll know you did it if…</h2>
    <p>You. Have. Been. Talking. Like. This. All. Week.</p>
    <p>Your life is so much easier now that you have a robot helper around (not to mention a new bud!)</p>
</form>
<div>
    <h3>Bonkers fact</h3>
    <p>Located in South Korea, Gyeongnam Masan Robot Land is the world’s first robotic theme park! The 250 robots found throughout the park range from a robotic arm thrill ride to robot dancers, and even a robotic car assembly line (which gives visitors an idea of how cars are made by robots in real factories!)</p>
</div>

Rock a Robot Challenge

<p>Get techy with this recipe!</p>
<p>So what’s a circuit, anyways? It’s a pathway for electricity to travel on. A simple circuit is made up of a source of energy, conductors, and a device. You can find circuits all over your home! Inside your fridge, the circuit elements include a compressor (which pumps out cold air to keep your food fresh) and the temperature control switch. If the temperature inside the fridge gets too hot, the temperature control switch will turn the compressor on until the temperature is cool enough to keep food from spoiling.</p>
<p>Though the circuit snack below can’t actually power on (unless you start up your imagination!), it looks pretty similar to the real deal. Plus, it makes for a yummy treat!</p>
<h3>Make it:</h3>
<p>Start with a rectangle base, a graham cracker works well! Then you’re going to need some wires—separated cheese string works well! Blueberries, nuts, and pretzel sticks also add a nice techy touch to your circuit board. Research “circuits” online for pattern inspiration (there are many types to choose from!) You can ‘glue’ items down using icing or cream cheese. You might think your circuit board looks too good to eat, but we dare you not to take a bite! Munch on, tech wizard!</p>
<p>Hungry for more information about circuits and how they work? Check out the video below to power up your knowledge while you enjoy your snack!</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HOFp8bHTN30" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<form>
    <h2>Check it off!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Grab the ingredients listed above.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Arrange them to make a cool circuit board!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>While you dig in to your techy snack, learn more about circuits in the video listed above!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
<h2>Bonkers Bonus!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Check out <a href="https://vimeo.com/78036886" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">this video</a> to see the human circuit in action!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <h2>You’ll know you did it if…</h2>
    <p>You know what a circuit board is!</p>
    <p>You also know real ones aren’t edible. BUT you can now make a pretty good copy that’s pretty tasty!</p>
</form>
<div>
    <h3>Bonkers fact</h3>
    <p>The world’s longest human electrical circuit was created by 1,113 elementary school students in Texas in 2013. That’s enough kids to fill 19 large-sized school buses! The school used a special piece of equipment (called an energy stick) that feeds off of the energy from the human body. When the circuit was complete, the stick buzzed and lit up!</p>
</div>

Snacky Circuit Challenge

<p>Video game controllers might seem simple enough, but they pack a mean techy punch! Perhaps there is a video game controller sitting beside you right now. Grab it and take a look!</p>
<p>Here’s how they work: each button has a piece of metal on the bottom inside the controller. When a button is pushed, it meets two conductive strips on a small circuit
board, which completes a circuit. Remember what happens from the Light it Up! Challenge above when a circuit is completed? It powers on! Then, the controller senses
the connection to your game console and sends information to the computer of the console. See? We bet you have a newfound appreciation for your cool controllers!</p>
<p>Feeling inspired to create your own? Try making these video game controller crafts as cool decorations for your room or videogame area!</p>
<h3>Make it:</h3>
<p>Gather colourful cardstock paper, pipe cleaner, and glue. Then check out the video below for instructions to make your controllers!</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/51Ydowbr8DQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<form>
    <h2>Check it off!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Grab your craft supplies.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Watch the video for instructions to make controller decorations.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Decorate your gaming area with your new gear!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
<h2>Bonkers Bonus!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Taking it to the next level: Try re-creating a game console, too! You could use papier-mâché or cardboard boxes to create a model. You might even fool your fam into thinking it’s the real deal!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <h2>You’ll know you did it if…</h2>
    <p>You can’t help admire how powerful your small but mighty game controllers are!</p>
    <p>Your game area has never looked better!</p>
</form>
<div>
    <h3>Bonkers fact</h3>
    <p>Playing video games with pals online might not seem like anything extraordinary, but it actually took a long time before consoles had this capability! It wasn’t until 1999 (27 years after the first console was invented!) that the creators of a game console called Sega Dreamcast came up with the ability to play online using a system called Sega Net.</p>
<img src="/images/challenges/controller-craft-challenge-bonkers.jpg" alt="Video game controller" />
</div>

Controller Craft Challenge

<p>Did you know that you can make a REAL working circuit using a pencil? Think about it – tech just isn’t all around you, you can make tech with the basic things in your everday life. How Bonkers is that?!? It’s true! You <em>will</em> need a special pencil, called a graphite pencil. But no sweat, they are easy to find – ask an adult if they have one or kindly request a trip to the local stationary supply store.</p>
<h3>Make it:</h3>
<p>You’ll need: a graphite pencil, clear tape, LEDs, and a 9V battery.</p>
<p>LEDs and batteries are easy to find at any Hardware store, or they might even be lying around the house! Ask a parent for permission before you start.</p>
<ul>
    <li>Start by drawing a picture with the graphite pencil (this is what gives your lights power!). Your drawing can be of anything, but it needs to be a complete line (no breaks, except for the ones mentioned below).</li>
    <li>Leave a gap in the drawing just as wide as the battery terminals (the knobs on the bottom of your battery). Also leave a gap in the drawing for each LED.</li>
    <li>Tape the LED conductors down (the two metal sticks) making sure you have the positive (long) and negative (short) conductors in the same order as the battery terminals.</li>
    <li>Push your battery down on the drawing.</li>
</ul>
<p>BAM! Just like that you’ve made your own circuit drawing!</p>

<form>
    <h2>Check it off!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Grab the supplies: a battery, graphite pencil, paper, and LEDs.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Draw a picture using a graphite pencil.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Tape down the LED lights and place your battery down.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Push down on the battery, and watch your drawing light up!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <h2>You’ll know you did it if…</h2>
    <p>Regular drawings are so boring now!</p>
    <p>Everyone keeps asking how you became such a tech whiz.</p>
</form>
<div>
    <h3>Bonkers fact</h3>
    <p>The most LED lights lit at the same time is 7,235. Many LEDs have a life of up to 50,000 hours. That means the lights used for this record might still be beaming, and could stay lit for another three and a half years! Because LEDs have such a long life, they have made a huge difference for the planet! The fact that they last so long means less bulbs in the landfill, and they also use way less energy (85 per cent less) than regular incandescent bulbs! Go around your home and see how many LEDs you have lighting the way (then give yourself a big pat on the back!)</p>
</div>

Light it up Challenge

<p>Being techy doesn’t mean sitting at a computer all day, and this awesome challenge proves it!</p>
<p>Research geocaching with your family, then try it out in your own backyard! Geocaching means using tech (like a phone) to find coordinates (or directions) of treasures left by other geocachers.</p>
<p>Start by researching geocaching websites like <a href="https://www.geocaching.com/play" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">this one</a> to understand how geocaching works.</p>
<p>Now plan a techy treasure hunt in your yard or a park! Start by selecting a family member to be the hider. This person will choose a spot in the yard to hide a treasure (the cache). Treasures can include anything from toys to trinkets to games. The hider should keep the treasure a secret so it’s a surprise to everyone else (the geocachers). After the hider finds the perfect treasure, they should find an airtight container to put it in along with a small booklet and pen (for a logbook). Now the cache can be hidden! No peeking, geocachers!</p>
<p>Real geocaching uses an app to track the coordinates (or direction) of a cache. For this at-home version, ask the hider to leave small notes in the yard with clues telling geocachers if they are hot or cold, or what direction they should move in. Or, for a techie twist, give everyone a portable device that can receive texts (e.g. a phone, tablet, or smart watch). The hider can send texts to each geocacher telling them if they are close, or even give directions!</p>
<p>Ready, set, go! Everyone gets out into the yard and starts searching. The first person to the find the cache wins!</p>

<form>
    <h2>Check it off!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Check out geocaching.com to learn more about geocaching.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Pick a hider and have them hide a cache in the backyard.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>The rest of the family goes out into the yard looking for the cache! The hider can use notes or devices to give clues.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>The first person to find the cache wins!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
<h2>Bonkers Bonus!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Locate a geocache in your neighbourhood! Can you believe it’s been there all along? Wild!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <h2>You’ll know you did it if…</h2>
    <p>You’ve been talking like a pirate.</p>
    <p>You’re always trying to protect your treasure!</p>
    <p>Your family is now planning for a REAL geocaching adventure!</p>
</form>
<div>
    <h3>Bonkers fact</h3>
    <p>A geocacher who goes by ‘Alamogul’ has found the most geocaches in the world, with just under 200,000 found! That’s a lot of trinkets …</p>
<img src="/images/challenges/geocaching-adventure-challenge-bonkers.jpg" alt="Geocaching tube" />
</div>

Geocaching Adventure Challenge

<p>Now that you’ve been reintroduced to the amazing tech inside your videogame remote and console, put them to work with an EPIC family videogame showdown! </p>
<p>Start by picking a night when everyone is free for a showdown. Make a list of everyone’s favourite video games and make sure they’re in the case (or downloaded) and ready to roll! Write the game names down on separate strips of paper and put in a bowl ready to pick later. Decorate the game area with your video game controller decorations (or ask your family to help you make more if you need some added flare to the room!)</p>
<p>Ready to play?</p>
<p>Pull a paper from the bowl to discover game selection. Start by playing the first game. The first person to not advance in the game is out of the challenge. Then move on to game 2. Keep going until there is one remaining champion! Bonkerific!</p>

<form>
    <h2>Check it off!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>Ask everyone for the best day to hold your tournament.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Start organizing by asking for everyone’s favourite game.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Next, have everyone make one of the controller crafts as decoration.</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Everyone can also help to make the circuit snacks (this tourney is sure to work up an appetite!)</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <label>
        <p>Get playing! Play each game one by one. The person who advances until the very last game, wins!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <h2>Bonkers Bonus!</h2>
    <label>
        <p>This game challenge is bound to bring on the munchies, and the circuit snacks in the solo challenges are sure to hit the spot. Have everyone put their spin on one, then put them out on a platter. Yum!</p>
        <input type="checkbox" />
        <span></span>
    </label>
    <h2>You’ll know you did it if…</h2>
    <p>You’re so in the know about video games, you feel like you’re in one IRL!</p>
    <p>Your family members are <em>really</em> competitive lately.</p>
</form>
<div>
    <h3>Bonkers fact</h3>
    <p>In 2019 Charles Martinet broke the world record for the most videogame voiceover performances with 104! So which video game character does he voice?</p>
</div>

Family Game Night Tournament Challenge

Tech it Out!

Discover cool ways that tech is all around you! Explore a coding challenge, geocaching adventure, dream robot craft, and more! Is your curiosity sparked?

Tech it Out!

Challenges