How Robotics is Transforming STEM in Elementary Schools
S.T.E.M. (or what I prefer to call S.T.E.A.M.) is not just for middle and high school anymore.
I encourage parents and teachers to visit a great educational website I recently discovered called Getting Smart. I have provided a link to a blog posted on the site by June Lin - How Robotics is Transforming STEM in Elementary Schools. I know you will find it most informative.
- Research is showing that introducing STEAM lessons, such as robotics, to students in the primary level plays a key role in cognitive development and interest in the subjects later on. - June Lin: Head of Community and Education at Wonder Workshop.
I encourage parents and teachers to visit a great educational website I recently discovered called Getting Smart. I have provided a link to a blog posted on the site by June Lin - How Robotics is Transforming STEM in Elementary Schools. I know you will find it most informative.
The following is a list of the Florida State Standards aligned with classroom robotic lessons
- Florida State Standards
*SC.35.CS-CC.1.2 Describe key ideas and details while working individually or collaboratively using digital tools and media-rich resources in a way that informs, persuades, and/or entertains.
*SC.35.CS-CC.1.3 Identify ways that technology can foster teamwork, and collaboration can support problem solving and innovation
*SC.35.CS-CC.1.4 Describe how collaborating with others can be beneficial to a digital project.
Simple Insect Robot
It doesn't get any easier than this.
It doesn't get any easier than this.
This is a great little robot to build as a starter project.
It requires few materials and can be put together in short order. The main thing you need is a discarded cell phone vibration motor. You can find them cheap on Ebay!
The students can use their imagination to fashion an exoskeleton over the entire top and make it look as buggy as they want (colored duct tape comes to mind). I would venture to say they could be creative enough to make it look like either Cockroach, Silverfish or Stinkbug - the Heroes of Meadowfield, up and ready to save the world!
It requires few materials and can be put together in short order. The main thing you need is a discarded cell phone vibration motor. You can find them cheap on Ebay!
The students can use their imagination to fashion an exoskeleton over the entire top and make it look as buggy as they want (colored duct tape comes to mind). I would venture to say they could be creative enough to make it look like either Cockroach, Silverfish or Stinkbug - the Heroes of Meadowfield, up and ready to save the world!
BristleBot Bugs
Perfect project for the younger ages
This is so simple to make, and there is no soldering for the little children. You will need the vibrator motor from a recycled mobile phone. If you don't have a phone to salvage, you can order the motors for minimum cost on Ebay.
Run bristlebot races. Let children explore how to "tweak" their robot to make it run better. Make a maze to run them in. Children can use their imagination to add recycled materials to make insect parts, like legs, wings and antennae or bug eyes to make their robot look like one of Meadowfield's bug-fellows. How about adding a long snout to the front end to make it look like Acorn Weevil!
Perfect project for the younger ages
This is so simple to make, and there is no soldering for the little children. You will need the vibrator motor from a recycled mobile phone. If you don't have a phone to salvage, you can order the motors for minimum cost on Ebay.
Run bristlebot races. Let children explore how to "tweak" their robot to make it run better. Make a maze to run them in. Children can use their imagination to add recycled materials to make insect parts, like legs, wings and antennae or bug eyes to make their robot look like one of Meadowfield's bug-fellows. How about adding a long snout to the front end to make it look like Acorn Weevil!
Scrub Brush BristleBot
A larger version of the toothbrush bristlebot for older kids.
A larger version of the toothbrush bristlebot for older kids.
Glue gun required. You will need a small switch and a 12V DC motor. You can purchase these from a hobby store or buy online at Ebay.
Waterboatman Bug Robots
This is so cool. Probably better for the older age range. I'm thinking 4th or 5th graders and up.
This is so cool. Probably better for the older age range. I'm thinking 4th or 5th graders and up.
Remember the Waterboatman races on Meadow Pond?
Here is a way the older children can recreate that scene from the Cockroach of Meadowfield trilogy.
Below are several instructional videos for making motorized water robots. They will take some preparation to gather all the necessary parts for this robot, but once again there is no soldering to worry over. But you will need to use a glue gun for most of these. You'll need a toy DC motor, battery pack and switch as well.
From an environmental standpoint, using Styrofoam is kind of a no-no. Not recyclable - so I have two suggestions. Either use discarded styrofoam and recycle it into your project or substitute balsa wood.
Now in a tub or a trough of water (how about an old length of gutter sealed with silicon) you can stage your very own Waterboatman races! Once again, the children can personalize their robot by using their imagination to add their own insect features.
Here is a way the older children can recreate that scene from the Cockroach of Meadowfield trilogy.
Below are several instructional videos for making motorized water robots. They will take some preparation to gather all the necessary parts for this robot, but once again there is no soldering to worry over. But you will need to use a glue gun for most of these. You'll need a toy DC motor, battery pack and switch as well.
From an environmental standpoint, using Styrofoam is kind of a no-no. Not recyclable - so I have two suggestions. Either use discarded styrofoam and recycle it into your project or substitute balsa wood.
Now in a tub or a trough of water (how about an old length of gutter sealed with silicon) you can stage your very own Waterboatman races! Once again, the children can personalize their robot by using their imagination to add their own insect features.
Here is a far simpler version of the row boat above
Use a 0.5-3v DC motor for this simple pontoon boat described below
Three more simple craft - A paddle wheeler, an outboard and an inboard version. Give them an insect look. Make a decorated exoskeleton with light weight plastic and colored duct tape. Add googly eyes and pipe cleaner legs.
Here is the paddle wheel powered boat.
Here is the outboard version
Here is an "inboard" version using a 0.5 - 3 v DC motor
Here is a video of a rather amazing
cockroach robot.
I just thought it would be fun to watch.
In 2008, researchers at the University of California at Berkeley designed a six-legged robot called DASH (Dynamic Autonomous Sprawled Hexapod). Modeled after the movement of a cockroach, it could race across the floor as quick as Brother Blattidae!
cockroach robot.
I just thought it would be fun to watch.
In 2008, researchers at the University of California at Berkeley designed a six-legged robot called DASH (Dynamic Autonomous Sprawled Hexapod). Modeled after the movement of a cockroach, it could race across the floor as quick as Brother Blattidae!
