Make: Magazine v99 - 2027 Board Guide
The 2027 Guide to Boards covers 60+ SBCs and microcontrollers. Plus a Star Wars duck droid you can build and train, and 20+ more projects.
Complete Magazine eCollection
Discover two decades of maker creativity across more than 90 issues, from the very first issue to nearly the latest — all in one place.
Make: Magazine v99 - 2027 Board Guide
The 2027 Guide to Boards covers 60+ SBCs and microcontrollers. Plus a Star Wars duck droid you can build and train, and 20+ more projects.
Complete Magazine eCollection
Discover two decades of maker creativity across more than 90 issues, from the very first issue to nearly the latest — all in one place.
Bring science to life with this hands-on DIY soil moisture sensor kit that teaches electronics while solving a real problem—knowing exactly when your plants need water.
This educational kit lets you build a light-up flower indicator that responds to soil moisture levels. When the soil becomes too dry, the LED lights up, giving you a clear signal to water your plant.
Perfect for beginners, students, and hobbyists, this Level 2 kit introduces essential electronics concepts including:
- How an NPN transistor works as a switch
- Understanding resistors and variable resistance (potentiometer)
- Building a voltage divider circuit
- Using conductivity to measure soil moisture
🌿 How It Works
The “roots” act as a moisture sensor by measuring resistance in the soil.
Wet soil = low resistance → LED OFF
Dry soil = high resistance → LED ON
Use the adjustable dial (potentiometer) to calibrate the moisture level for your specific plant.
📦 What’s Included
1 × NPN Transistor
1 × 220Ω Resistor
1 × 100K Potentiometer
1 × Red LED
Circuit board
Tools Required (Not Included)
Soldering iron
Solder wire
Wire cutters
Phillips screwdriver
