# Meeting Time Keeper Stick ## Overview Nobody likes a meeting that drags on forever. But how to keep people on topic and the meeting moving along? Circuit Playground to the rescue! This simple device allows you to increase the efficiency of meetings by putting a countdown timer in the hands of the speaker.  ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/073/501/medium800thumb/leds_Untitled2.2018-12-31_12_34_05.jpg?1553111062) This talking stick gives warnings of increasing urgency as the speaker's time runs down, and an alarm goes off when they've run over their allotted speaking time. A 60 second countdown starts when user presses the **A button**. At 30 seconds it beeps and the onboard NeoPixels illuminate yellow. At 15 seconds it turns orange and beeps again, and at 5 seconds beeps again and goes red. The countdown can be paused by flipping **slide switch** to the left, and can be restarted by flipping switch back to the right and pressing the **A button** again. When the countdown hits 0 it beeps and flashes continually until it's tossed to the next speaker (basically shaken), at which point the countdown automatically restarts.  This project is an extension of the "talking stick" concept, except this talking stick provides active feedback, limiting the amount of time the holder has to make their point and ensuring everyone equal opportunity to speak ([other examples ](https://makecode.adafruit.com/learnsystem/hot-potato)of this concept also exist [elsewhere on the internet](https://platisd.github.io/scrumtato/)).  ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/068/673/medium800thumb/leds_Untitled.2019-01-04_14_09_38.jpg?1546629197) ## Required Electronics ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ![A Black woman's manicured hand holds a round microcontroller with lit up LEDs.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3333-05.jpg) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ![USB cable - USB A to Micro-B - 3 foot long](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/592-01.jpg) ## Enclosures You may want to enclose your Circuit Playground Express somehow and make it easy to toss around. These two enclosures are both good options. The enclosure has a screw mount which works with the adapter for making a handle. ### Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Bluefruit Enclosure [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Bluefruit Enclosure](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3915) We've got nice cases for many of our beloved boards, but the [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) and [Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333) has been left out of couture enclosure... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3915) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3915/guides) ![Top down view of a clear acrylic Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Bluefruit Enclosure.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/3915-06.jpg) ### DIY Ornament Kit - 6cm Diameter - Perfect for Circuit Playground [DIY Ornament Kit - 6cm Diameter - Perfect for Circuit Playground](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4036) Have you put up with mainstream, uninspiring, low-tech tree ornaments for too long? This season why not deck the halls with _codes_ of holly? This **DIY Ornament Kit** is just the right size (6 cm diameter) for a Circuit Playground Express, 500mAh LiPoly battery, and... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4036) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4036/guides) ![6cm Diameter DIY Ornament Kit with Circuit board inside](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4036-00.jpg) ## Power In addition to the Circuit Playground Express, you will need some way to power it so you can use it without being attached to a computer. Choose an option that works best for you. ### 3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST [3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) This battery holder connects 3 AAA batteries together in series for powering all kinds of projects. We spec'd these out because the box is slim, and 3 AAA's add up to about 3.3-4.5V, a very similar range to Lithium Ion/polymer (Li-Ion) batteries and have an on-off switch. That makes... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/727/guides) ![Front angled shot of 3 x AAA battery holder with on-off switch and 2-pin JST PH connector.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/727-07.jpg) ### Alkaline AAA batteries - 3 pack [Alkaline AAA batteries - 3 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3520) Battery power for your portable project! These batteries are good quality at a good price, and work fantastic with any of the kits or projects in the shop that use AAA's. This is a pack of **3 AAA batteries**. These batteries are Alkaline (MnO2) chemistry, with a... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3520) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3520/guides) ![Angled shot of 3 PKcell AAA batteries. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3520-00.jpg) ### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery Ideal For Feathers - 3.7V 400mAh [Lithium Ion Polymer Battery Ideal For Feathers - 3.7V 400mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3898) Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of **400mAh** for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!)... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3898) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3898/guides) ![Slim Lithium Ion Polymer Battery 3.7v 400mAh with JST 2-PH connector and short cable](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3898-05.jpg) If you choose to use a LiPo battery, be sure you have a way to [charge it](https://www.adafruit.com/categories/575). ## Materials For this project you may also want to have: - Cardboard tube - Masking tape - Hot glue & [hot glue gun](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006IY359K/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_K0DeCbCR4A6B5) - [Double-sided foam tape](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003W0R4PE/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_Y2SGBb4DV10TX) - Potato (optional) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/meeting-time-keeper-stick-with-cpx/makecode.md) ## Featured Products ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ### DIY Ornament Kit - 6cm Diameter - Perfect for Circuit Playground [DIY Ornament Kit - 6cm Diameter - Perfect for Circuit Playground](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4036) Have you put up with mainstream, uninspiring, low-tech tree ornaments for too long? This season why not deck the halls with _codes_ of holly? This **DIY Ornament Kit** is just the right size (6 cm diameter) for a Circuit Playground Express, 500mAh LiPoly battery, and... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4036) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4036/guides) ### Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Bluefruit Enclosure [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Bluefruit Enclosure](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3915) We've got nice cases for many of our beloved boards, but the [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) and [Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333) has been left out of couture enclosure... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3915) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3915/guides) ### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery Ideal For Feathers - 3.7V 400mAh [Lithium Ion Polymer Battery Ideal For Feathers - 3.7V 400mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3898) Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of **400mAh** for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!)... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3898) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3898/guides) ### 1/4" to 1/4" Screw Adapter - For Camera / Tripod / Photo / Video [1/4" to 1/4" Screw Adapter - For Camera / Tripod / Photo / Video](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2632) _"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication"_ - [Leonardo da Vinci](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci) This **1/4" screw to 1/4" screw** is very simple but you'll find it an essential adapter for video/photo... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2632) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2632/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express.md) - [No-Touch Hand Wash Timer for Circuit Playground Express and CLUE](https://learn.adafruit.com/no-touch-hand-wash-timer-for-cpx-and-clue.md) - [MakeCode Course for Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode-circuit-playground-express-course.md) - [What is Web MIDI & BLE MIDI?](https://learn.adafruit.com/web-ble-midi.md) - [CircuitPython Snow Globe](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-snow-globe.md) - [Interactive Map with Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/interactive-map-with-cpx.md) - [Halloween Monsters with CRICKIT and Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/halloween-monsters-with-crickit.md) - [Circuit Playground Express Spinner Game in MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-makecode-spinner-game.md) - [Using Circuit Playground Express, MakeCode and CircuitPython on a Chromebook](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-circuit-playground-express-makecode-circuitpython-on-a-chromebook.md) - [Con Badge with Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-express-con-badge.md) - [How to Use Video Greenscreen in MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-use-video-greenscreen-in-makecode.md) - [CircuitPython Hardware: PCA9685 PWM & Servo Driver](https://learn.adafruit.com/micropython-hardware-pca9685-pwm-and-servo-driver.md) - [Labo Piano Light FX](https://learn.adafruit.com/labo-piano-light-fx.md) - [Crickit Powered Minerva Owl Robot](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-powered-owl-robot.md) - [Circuit Playground Bluefruit Automatic Bike Brake Light](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-bluefruit-brake-light.md) - [Make It Glow With Crickit](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-glow-with-crickit.md)