Addie's Projects
Science Fair3rd gradeDue Feb 1, 2027

MS-2000

MOSQUITO SHOOTER

My invention: a laser turret that learns what a mosquito looks like, follows it, and tags it with a pew. The mosquito's eyes flash on every hit, and every hit is saved as data.

Fair guideBuild itBuild your ownSee it in 3D
3D model of the MS-2000 turret
The big question
What makes the MS-2000 miss more: a faster mosquito or a smaller one?
Engineering goal: build a robot that finds, tracks, and hits a flying mosquito by itself.
The big idea
Scientists built a real laser fence that zaps mosquitoes. Killing one takes about 14 watts. The MS-2000 uses a safe 0.001 watt laser, 14,000 times weaker, and proves each hit with a light sensor inside the mosquito.

School due dates

St. Rose 3rd grade. Six parts, each graded on its own. The orange one is next.

  1. Part 1 路 Wed Nov 18

    Question

    One question that a test can answer. It names what gets changed and what gets counted.

    How to do it
  2. Part 2 路 Wed Dec 2

    Research notes, bibliography, Catholic connection

    3 to 5 research bullet points, 2 or 3 sources, and how the project connects to our faith.

    How to do it
  3. Part 3 路 Wed Dec 9

    Hypothesis

    Your best guess before any test runs, and the reason for it. Plus the variables.

    How to do it
  4. Part 4 路 Tue Jan 19

    Conduct and complete experiments

    All 30 runs done, written in the journal, with a photo of every setup.

    How to do it
  5. Part 5 路 Mon Jan 25

    Data, results, and conclusion

    Averages, one bar graph for each test, and what the data says about the hypothesis.

    How to do it
  6. Part 6 路 Mon Feb 1

    Final project

    The trifold board, the journal, and the MS-2000, all turned in.

    How to do it
Wed Feb 3, 2:00 PM
Parent exhibition
Parish Hall. Judging and the demo.
Thu Feb 25
Archdiocesan Science Fair
For the projects St. Rose picks as winners.

Where we are

The build plan, fitted around the school dates. Green is done, pink is now.

  1. Step 1 路 Sep 15Done
    Brainstorm
    Air cannon, vacuum, and light beam ideas. The family picked lasers.
  2. Step 2 路 Sep 15Done
    Requirements
    Laser, sound effects, a trainable mosquito on a fishing line, proven hits, and data it saves by itself.
  3. Step 3 路 Sep 15Done
    Pick a design
    Addie picked Design A, the Pan and Tilt Camera Turret.
  4. Step 4 路 Sep 16Done
    Lock in the design
    Design A locked. Still to do by hand: why Design A and a labeled drawing, both in the journal. Ask Miss Taggart about laser rules.
  5. Step 5 路 Sep 16Done
    3D print design
    12 printed parts on five print plates, about 10 hours 45 minutes and 335 g of PLA. Checked with calipers when the parts arrive.
  6. Step 6 路 By Sep 30Now
    Order the parts
    About $224 from four stores: DFRobot, DigiKey, Adafruit, and Walmart, plus AAA batteries and craft supplies. Start the journal now.
  7. Step 7 路 Oct 1 to Nov 13
    Print and build
    Mosquito and wand first, then the pan and tilt head, then the backdrop and pendulum, then the code and sounds.
  8. Step 8 路 Nov 14 to Dec 11
    Teach the camera and practice
    Train the camera, pick the hit threshold, and make sure the data saves. The question (Nov 18), research (Dec 2), and hypothesis (Dec 9) are due at school in these weeks.
  9. Step 9 路 Dec 12 to Jan 15
    Experiments
    Speed and target size, all at 3 feet. 30 runs, one test per day, over winter break. Due Jan 19, so a few days are left for redos.
  10. Step 10 路 Jan 16 to Jan 25
    Data and conclusion
    Averages, two bar graphs, and the conclusion. Due Jan 25.
  11. Step 11 路 Jan 26 to Feb 1
    Board and demo
    Trifold board, finished journal, and the 30-second demo. Due Feb 1. Exhibition Feb 3 at 2:00 PM.
  12. Step 12 路 Feb 25
    Archdiocesan fair
    If the MS-2000 is picked as a St. Rose winner.

Rules to remember

Never look into the laser
Even a weak laser is not for eyes. Point it only at the backdrop and the mosquito.
The arm switch is off until go time
The laser cannot fire unless the red arm switch is on. A grown-up turns it on.
The journal is cursive, by hand
Write in it every day you work on the project. It gets its own grade.
Addie writes it
The research, question, hypothesis, and conclusion are in her own words.
Every run counts
Five runs for every setting. Only redo a run if something broke, and write down why.
One test per day
Same room, a charged power bank, same person holding the line. Take a photo of each setup.

Project pages

Fair guide

The six graded parts, what each one needs, the journal, the board, the judges, and the rubric.

Board and table

Two trifold layouts, what goes in each block, how it all fits on a 3 foot table, and print-outs for every title.

Build your own

For any kid: start with a micro:bit hit detector, then a camera tracker, then the full turret.

Learn the science

Mosquitoes, lasers, how a camera learns, servos, sensors, pendulums, and how to run a fair test.

Build the MS-2000

Everything to buy, the 3D printed parts, the 3D models, and the build steps.

Build guide

Step by step: every part, wiring maps, diagrams, and the MakeCode programs.

Changes and lessons

How we change a locked design safely, every change order, the project history, and what we learned.

The full plan

The design choices, the lethality math, the experiment rules, and the demo script.

Parts list (PDF)

Every part with a primary and a backup source, prices, and links. Print it for the order.

The turret

Print plate with the turret head, turntable, and wand

Build the MS-2000

The parts to buy, the 12 printed parts, the print plan, and the build steps. Built in October and November.

See the whole setup in 3D

The turret, the mosquito on its fishing line, the wand, the pendulum, and the backdrop. Spin it and use it to draw the labeled sketch for the board.

Open the 3D model