Build Your Own Robot Arm

Feb 10, 2012

Source: IEEE

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LESSON

Summary Information

Keywords:

robot, energy, motion, design, engineering, invention, simple machines

Topic:

Computer Science

Target Grade (Ages):

Grade 5 (Ages 10-11)

Grade 6 (Ages 11-12)

Grade 7 (Ages 12-13)

Grade 8 (Ages 13-14)

Grade 9 (Ages 14-15)

Grade 10 (Ages 15-16)

Grade 11 (Ages 16-17)

Grade 12 (Ages 17-18)

Estimated Time Required:

1-2 hours

Diversity Indicators:

All learners - this lesson can be adapted for a variety of grades and learning styles.

Goals and Prerequisites

Goals:

Through this lesson, students will:

Learn design concepts.
Learn teamwork.
Learn problem solving techniques.
Learn about simple machines.

Prerequisites:

None

Instructional Objective(s)

As a result of this activity, students should develop an understanding of:

design concepts
teamwork needed in the design process
impact of technology in manufacturing

Instructional Resources

Background:

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.

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
Student handout

Procedure:

Divide your class into teams of three or four students, and provide student handout.
Instruct students to examine the materials provided and to work as a team to design and build a robot arm out of the materials. Provide students with the following parameters:

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 should draw a sketch of their agreed upon design prior to construction.

You should explain that teamwork, trial, and error are part of the design process. There is no "right" answer to the problem - each team's creativity will likely generate an arm that is unique from the others designed in your class.

This adaptable Powerpoint Presentation can be used to help guide students through this lesson.

Build Your Own Robot Arm Presentation

To see portions of Build Your Own Robot Arm in action, view the following IEEE.tv video:

IEEE.tv Teacher Workshop video

Extensions

"Humans and Robots": A NASA educational brief, describes the robotics features on the International Space Station. The brief's classroom activity is about making and using an ISS grapple fixture known as an end effector.

Optional Writing Activity: Write an essay (or paragraph depending on age) about how the invention of robots and robotics has impacted manufacturing.

Assessments and Rubrics

If you are interested in learning how to make your own rubric for this or other lessons, you may be interested in watching the How to Make a Rubric video below.

These reflective questions will help assess student understanding:

What was one thing you liked about your design? What is its main weakness?
What is one thing you would change about your design based on your experience?
Are there algebraic and physical principles that can be applied to this activity?
How would you modify the instructions to create a better experience for the participants?

External Resources

TryEngineering
Design Your Own Robot
FIRST Robotics Competition
ITEA Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology
NSTA National Science Education Standards
NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
Robot Books

Credits

This lesson was originally created for TryEngineering by IEEE.

RESOURCES

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Additional Supports

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Build Your Own Robot Arm (PPT)

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IEEE Teacher Workshop (FLV)

Worksheets

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Robot Arm Student Worksheet (PDF)

Contributed Resources

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STANDARDS

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Texas Standard: Build Your Own Robot Arm

Standard Type: State

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Texas

Grade 5

Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student usescritical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions. The student is expected to:

drawor develop a model that represents how something works or looks that cannot be seen such as how a soda dispensing machine works

connectgrade-level appropriate science concepts with the history of science, science careers, and contributions of scientists

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Target Grade (Ages):

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Prerequisites:

Background:

Materials:

Procedure:

Original Resources

Additional Supports

Worksheets

Contributed Resources