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| Build Your Own Robot Arm |
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(Full teacher resource documents are included in the PDF)
Lesson Focus
Develop a robot arm using common materials. Students will explore design, construction, teamwork, and materials selection and use.
Lesson Synopsis
Participating teams of three or four students are provided with a bag including the materials listed below. Each team must use the materials to design and build a working robot arm. The robot arm must be at least 18 inches in length and be able to pick up an empty Styrofoam cup. Teams of students must agree on a design for the robot arm and identify what materials will be used. Students will draw a sketch of their agreed upon design prior to construction. Resulting robot arms are then tested and checked for range of motion and satisfaction of the given criteria.
Age Levels: 8-18
Objectives
- Learn design concepts.
- Learn teamwork.
- Learn problem solving techniques.
- Learn about simple machines.
Anticipated Learner Outcomes
- design concepts
- teamwork needed in the design process
- impact of technology in manufacturing
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Lesson Activities
Students design and build a working robotic arm from a set of everyday items with a goal of having the arm be able to pick up a Styrofoam cup. Working in teams of three or four students, the students explore effective teamwork skills while learning simple robot mechanics.
Resources/Materials
- 3" wide and approx. 22" long strips of cardboard-- 5 or so
- Binder clips (different sizes)-- 8 or more
- Brads-- @10
- Clothespins-- 6
- Craft sticks--10-15
- Fishing line-- 3-4 feet
- Hangers-- 1 or 2
- Paper clips (diff. Sizes)-- 10-15
- Pencils-- 3-4
- Rubber bands (different sizes)--15
- Tape-- clear and masking (partial rolls should be fine)
- Twine-- 3-4 feet
- Various size scraps of cardboard--10 assorted
To see portions of Build Your Own Robot Arm in action, view the following IEEE.tv video:
Alignment to Curriculum Frameworks
Curriculum alignment sheet is included in PDF.
Categories
Engineering Design, Properties Of Materials, Robotics, Technology
Take Survey
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