Build Your Own Robot Arm

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 - 10-18.

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

Anticipated Learner Outcomes - 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

Resources/Materials
Teacher Resource Documents (included in PDF)
Student Handouts (included in PDF)
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

Alignment to Curriculum Frameworks
Curriculum alignment sheet is included in PDF.

Internet Connections
Design Your Own Robot
FIRST Robotics Competition
IEEE Teacher In-Service Program
IEEE Virtual Museum
International Technology Education Association Standards for Technological Literacy
McREL Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks - a compilation of content
standards for K-12 curriculum in both searchable and browsable formats.
National Science Education Standards
Robot Books

Recommended Reading
Artificial Intelligence: Robotics and Machine Evolution by David Jefferis
(ISBN: 0778700461)
Robotics, Mechatronics, and Artificial Intelligence: Experimental Circuit Blocks for
Designers by Newton C. Braga (ISBN: 0750673893)
Robot Builder's Sourcebook: Over 2,500 Sources for Robot Parts by Gordon McComb
(ISBN: 0071406859)
Robots (Fast Forward) by Mark Bergin (ISBN: 0531146162)

References
Ralph D. Painter, Douglas Gorham, and other volunteers from
Florida West Coast USA Section of IEEE
URL: http://ewh.ieee.org/r3/floridawc