Project 13 - Push To Pump "K-12 JUNO STEM KIT"

What You Can Build Using K-12 JUNO STEM KIT

In the "Push to Pump" project from the K-12 JUNO STEM Kit, children get hands-on as they assemble a circuit where a DC motor (acting as a small pump) is controlled by a push button. When the button is pressed, the circuit is completed, and the motor turns on, simulating a pump starting to move water or air. Releasing the button stops the motor, demonstrating simple on-demand control in an engaging, hands-on way.

What You Can Learn

• Basic Circuitry: Kids learn how to connect a battery, a push button, and a DC motor to create a complete circuit capable of switching a motor on and off.

• Input Devices: Learners understand how a push button acts as a momentary switch, controlling when electricity flows to the motor.

• Cause and Effect: By pressing the button, children experience direct control over the motor, reinforcing real-world cause-effect relationships.

• Reading Diagrams: Students get practice reading and building from basic circuit schematics involving switches and motors.

Real Life Problem Solving

• Troubleshooting: If the pump doesn’t start, learners systematically check for loose connections, proper button operation, and battery health, cultivating systematic problem-solving skills.

• Device Understanding: The project models real devices—from liquid dispensers to portable fans—that use pushbutton-activated motors for convenient control.

• Design Thinking: Learners experiment with the placement of buttons or extend the concept to multiple motors or different types of pumps.

Additional Benefits

• Creativity: Students can decorate their "pump," use it as part of a model or science project, or experiment with different applications.

• Collaboration: Push to Pump encourages teamwork, as learners can cooperate on assembly, testing, and troubleshooting.

• Confidence: Building a motor control system with a pushbutton empowers students and deepens their STEM understanding.

• Foundation for Future Learning: This project introduces concepts foundational to robotics, automation, and advanced control systems.

Why Push to Pump Matters

Push to Pump brings hands-on excitement to learning about switches and motors, showing how simple inputs can control mechanical movement. With every press of the button, children reinforce skills in wiring, logic, and real-world technology that powers everything from toys to home appliances.

With Project 13: Push to Pump, every child gets to control a real-world machine and watch STEM principles spring into action—one push at a time!