
PicoBlocks - Reference
Sensors
Sensors allow your Cricket to respond to sounds, lights, or other changes in its environment.
Name
Description
Programming
Blocks
Icon
Light
Sensor
Reports the brightness of light. For example, you can
use the light sensor to detect when someone casts
a shadow with their hand – or when the sun shines
through the window.
brightness
Sound
Sensor
Reports the loudness (or volume) of sound. For
example, you can use the sound sensor to detect
when someone claps their hands – or when someone
sings into the sensor.
loud?
loudness
Touch
Sensor
Reports if the button is pressed. For example, you
can write a program that makes something happen
(a motor spinning or a light changing color) when
someone presses the touch sensor.
touch?
Resistance
Sensor
Reports the resistance in the circuit formed by the
alligator-clip cables. If you put different materials
(for example, play-dough or a banana) between the
alligator clips, the resistance will change. You can also
use the resistance sensor to detect when the alligator
clips are touching each other (or connected through a
conductive material, such as aluminum foil).
connected?
resistance
Each of the programming blocks will be described further in the following pages. For
examples of how to use the actuators and sensors,
see “Magic Lantern” and other sample
project placemats
.
Cricket Care
1. Remember to turn off the Cricket when you aren’t using it.
2. If the orange on-off indicator light flashes, it means that your Cricket is running out of
batteries. To change the batteries, follow the instructions in the Setup Guide.
3. Be gentle with the cable connectors. If you push the connectors up and down with too
much force, the connectors will break.
4. Keep your Cricket devices away from water and other liquids.
5. If your Cricket is misbehaving, check the Troubleshooting section in our website:
www.picocricket.com/troubleshooting