build a robot
This activity is linked to the National Profiles, Level 3, Technology.
Materials:
Glue
Sticky tape
Cardboard
Cardboard tubes
Paddlepop sticks
Straws
String
Any other building materials necessary
Staples
Glue
Colouring-in materials
Clean paper for designs
Teachers notes
Discuss with students the many uses of robots. Discuss why robots were invented and why humans use them to make our lives easier.
Brainstorm the many different ways a robot can be made to move: wheels, a simple engine, rubber band propulsion, etc. Let them go nuts with ideas before bringing them back to reality. Have students verbally brainstorm a whole lot of different ideas about robots. At this point, dont let them get bogged down in practicalities, let them imagine a huge, mad, school-eating, fire-breathing, mechanical ferret if they wish.
Investigate the ways something straight can be made to bend: a hinge, joint, force, etc.
Worksheets can be handed out individually and used as lead-up work material, or used by the teacher to direct the activity.
Robots should be assessed both on the basis of the final product and the lead-up activity.
If at all possible, arrange for the local newspaper or television station to visit on the day all the bunyip robots are presented to the school, and generate some media interest for the students. Local media are surprisingly interested in activities like these and are often willing to visit. This will make all your budding bunyip builders feel very special.
National Profiles, Level 3, Technology
Designing, making and appraising
A student
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Looks at and identifies key elements of design, including those features that affect and are related to peoples taste and preferences
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Looks at and identifies the environmental effects of products and design process
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Generates (constantly creates, revises and refines) designs that take into account some ways that people may need and use them and the impact they could have on the environment
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Generates (constantly creates, revises and refines) designs that use two and three dimensional drawings, models and technical terms
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Plans and carries out the steps of production making safe use of resources and with minimus waste of materials
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Assesses how well the ideas, products and processes that are used to meet the requirements of the design and the range of criteria
Materials
A student
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Matches the characteristics of materials to the requirements of a design
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Selects and safely uses techniques, equipment and materials that are appropriate for meeting the requirements of own design.
Systems
A student
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Selects and uses techniques to organise, put together, take apart and test systems
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