Author: College of Computing

Reaction Game

Time: 1 Hour

Materials:
Rubber Band
Aluminum Foil
Tape

Process:
Tape some aluminum foil to the floor. Use a rubber band to attach some aluminum foil to your foot. Attach the alligator clips to the two pieces of foil. Download the program on the right to the cricket by clicking

on the program with the magic wand. Wait for the “Chirp” and touch the aluminum foil together and check your reaction time on the display. Press the white button on top the cricket to try again. What is your fastest time?

Process:
Try putting the aluminum foil on your finger instead of your foot and run the program again. Are you faster with your foot or your finger? Does it matter which finger you use?

Materials:

Other Ideas:
How would you change the program to use the touch sensor instead of the aluminum foil? How do you think a touch sensor works? How would you change the program to repeat 10 times and show the lowest time after the 10th time?

Process:
Add a light to the cricket and change the program as shown on the right. Download the program to the cricket and now wait for the light to show before touching the aluminum foil together. What was your reaction time? Are you faster when you hear the “chirp” or when you see the light go on?