Constellations (Science/Astronomy, Art & Technology) In conjunction with a unit on Astronomy, students will research constellations and use the robot kits to create a robotic representation of the constellation of their choice. This creation will be a robot diary for the constellation. For example, a student can choose to research the constellation Orion and create a hunter carrying a bow. The robot would tell the story associated with the constellation and include a featured motion of pulling back the bow. The robot may include an outline of the actual constellation with LEDs in the places for some of the brightest stars.
Mythological creatures (Social Studies, Mythology/Language Arts, Art, Technology) Our after school “Classics Club” participates in an Ancient Coin Museum Project where the participating students learn about the history, art, culture, language, and history of the ancient Romans & Greeks. Students will be assigned a mythological creature that is represented on an ancient coin in our museum collection. Students will design a robot that tells the related myth with movements and lights that highlight the creatures’ features. For example, the chimera would have the body and head of a lion, a goat’s head extending from the middle of the body, and a snake for a tail. Coordinating animal sounds and movements can be incorporated into the audio. Lights can represent areas as they are introduced or they can reflect mood.
Native American Tribes: totem poles (Social Studies, Art, Technology) Students would be assigned one of the Native American Culture groups, and using the robot kits, they will design and construct a robotic totem pole based on the many aspects of their tribe’s culture. The totem pole should depict the groups’ location, type of home, clothing, food, customs, tools, weapons, art, and one famous member of the tribe. Areas of the totem pole will include at least 2 lights and 2 servos and related audio clips.
Recycling (Art, Science & Technology) In conjunction with EARTH DAY activities, students will explore recycling and its impact on the Earth. As a school wide contest, students will be challenged to design a robot which will make use of the robot kits and encourage use of the existing water bottle recycling containers in our school cafeteria. Students will choose the winner from the top three selected from a group of teachers, administrators, parents, and students. The creator of the winning design will have have authority to establish a team to help build and construct the robot. The specific challenge should focus on changing the exisiting behaviors of misuse and non-use of the plastic water bottle recycling bins in the cafeteria. A possible solution could include cheery lights and a silly sound when students place items inside the container.
Create your own Super Hero (English/Language Arts & Technology) Our English teacher assigns a yearly creative writing project where students design and create their own Super Hero. Students draw their Super Hero and write a description of their powers for a poster. We have collaborated in the past on this project. This year we could add the option of having students choose to represent their Super Hero in robot form using the Robot Diaries kits. The servos, lights, and sounds will be used to show the emotions, expressions, and powers of the Super Hero. For example, Super Margot has the ability to fly so a motor can be used to show the flying motion. She can read minds and her eyes will light up when she is reading your mind.
Zee Ann Poerio