In this STEM kit, children will be introduced to robotics and make a robot arm. So what is robotics? Robotics is the creation and use of machines to do jobs or tasks. They are incredible machines that can be programmed to perform useful work for us. Some have even saved lives by helping surgeons perform medical operations.
Believe it or not the first robots were created more than 2,000 years ago. They were different than robots today. They were called Automatons. They were created by people in ancient Greece and China. These automatons told time or performed very simple tasks. Leonardo da Vinci created a robotic knight in the 1600’s. Although the knight is very different than robots today, da Vinci’s knight could sit up, lift its helmet visor, turn its head, open and close its jaw, and more.
Computers changed the future of robotics. Robots can be programmed to perform specific tasks. They are used in industries around the world. Some robots even have human-like senses, such as sight, hearing, and touch. A recent development in robotics is Sophia. Sophia can display human-like qualities, such as emotions, awareness, and independent thinking.
Robotics is becoming a significant field in science. There are many careers just waiting for kids to consider when they grow up such as:
Robotics Engineering
Robotics Technician
Sales Engineering
Software Developer
Robotics Operator
Let’s read a book about Robotics. In this kit you will find the book, Robotics: From Leonardo da Vinci to Isaac Asimov. After you read the book, you are going to become a Robotics Engineer and create a robot arm.
Make a robot Arm!
Adapted the craft based on https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGljltFkgvsRgrpLsBFqMqvspTp?projector=1
Materials Needed:
● 7 popsicle sticks
Six Popsicle sticks: 3 holes drilled in each stick.
One Popsicle stick cut in ½.
Scissors
● Seven paper fasteners
● White glue
● Pencil
Instructions:
Assemble the robot arm using the sticks connected with paper fasteners as shown below. Once a paper fastener is pushed through two sticks, push the arms down on the other side so that the sticks can't come apart.
Finally, glue the two half sticks to the ends of sticks 3 as shown below.
Your robot hand will look like this when done:
In this kit you will find:
The book, Robotics: From Leonardo da Vinci to Isaac Asimov by Jessie Alkire.
Laminated Directions
● Scissors
● Seven paper fasteners
● Pencil
● White glue
How do robot arms work? Most robots have moving parts, and many are designed to work in factories, welding, painting, packaging, or assembling products.
They are controlled by computers and powered by motors and can move continuously—stopping when they need servicing. Most robots have a jointed arm that can move in three ways: yawning (moving side to side), rolling (rotating), and pitching (moving up and down). They have sensors that make sure the arms move just the right amount. Your robot arm has limited movement but it should be able to pick up small objects. A digital robot arm would be connected to a computer with a program telling it what to do.
Sources: Arnold, N. (2018). Tools, robotics, and gadgets galore. Barrons Educational Series, Inc.
Comments