project: light-up aquarium

In our office - every other Friday is project day. We make sketch models - then, when we come up with something we like, we reverse-engineer it to figure out the best way for young designers to make it on their own and have fun with it!

Last Friday, we started with a grab bag of electronic goodies, a mini-fish (left-over from our monsters project) and some cardboard boxes (medium-size priority mail boxes from the post office, free). I used crepe paper (lying around from a summer party) and it worked so well - young designers don't need to stress over precision - the loose edges and not-quite-straight lines add to the watery effect. As an after-thought, I added colored acetate (transparency) because it brings color, light and dimension to almost anything. Here's what we came up with!

All the wiring is on the top of the box. We made our own LED circuits powered by a 3V coin battery, and attached to a switch (see below for tips and tricks). But, I happened to be at Ikea and found a great seasonal item that makes lighting the piece even easier - a short string with 10 mini-LEDs and AA-battery powered switch (look in the holiday lights section). For only $1.99 each, I grabbed a bunch for my 2nd grade Toy Design class. Easy as that to add luminescence - who can resist?

For young designers who want to build their own LED circuits, here are a few tips:

• You'll find the least expensive parts and low volume items (so you don't have to order 1,000 pieces) at Electronic Goldmine.

• Use super-bright LEDs for the best punch. 

• Use a 3V coin battery and thin florist wire - yes, florist wire. It's very easy to work with - you don't have to fuss with stripping plastic coating (very pesky and very difficult). You can twist it together easily and tape it directly to the battery.

• Add a switch if you like - to turn your glow on and off.   

Below is a sketch of simple wiring on the top of the aquarium box. I used 3 super-bright turquoise LEDs, one switch, one 3V coin battery, florist wire, scotch tape. 

A note about the anatomy of an LED: If you look closely at the ends of the prongs inside the LED, you see that one has a larger flag-shape and the other has a small blunt end. The prong with the flag-shape is the Cathode, the other is the Anode. The Cathode must connect to the negative side of the battery, and the Anode must connect to the positive side.