A.M.9.5 | Using The Design Process
Created by: Modular Robotics
Time: 30-45 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Lesson Goal (for the educator): Students will try to solve a problem, using Cubelets and the Design Process.
Lesson Objectives (for the students): My team will design and build an Artbot using the Cubelets and following the steps in the Design Process.
Essential Questions: Does our Artbot solve the problem? Is my team using the Design Process to help us with the construction of our Artbot?
21st Century Skills: Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Communication and Collaboration, Adapt to Change, Be Flexible, Manage Projects, Produce Results, Work Effectively in Diverse Teams
Concepts: The Design Process
Vocabulary: Rebuilding, tinkering, users
Required Cubelets: Any and all of the Cubelets you can make available to the students
Additional Materials: Student Robotics Journals Containers of material: (these, but not limited to) Legos, paper cups, markers/crayons/pencils, string, magnets, paper/binder clips, marbles, paper cups, brads, craft sticks, rubber bands, tape, google eyes, cardboard pieces, netting/cheesecloth, small hooks
CCSS: Common Core Standards
NGSS: Next Generation Science Standards
Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, students will use the Design Process to build a Cubelet robot, called an Artbot, that will produce art.
The Basics:
Ages: 10 – 12 years (grades 4-6)Time: 30-45 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Lesson Goal (for the educator): Students will try to solve a problem, using Cubelets and the Design Process.
Lesson Objectives (for the students): My team will design and build an Artbot using the Cubelets and following the steps in the Design Process.
Essential Questions: Does our Artbot solve the problem? Is my team using the Design Process to help us with the construction of our Artbot?
21st Century Skills: Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Communication and Collaboration, Adapt to Change, Be Flexible, Manage Projects, Produce Results, Work Effectively in Diverse Teams
Concepts: The Design Process
Vocabulary: Rebuilding, tinkering, users
Required Cubelets: Any and all of the Cubelets you can make available to the students
Additional Materials: Student Robotics Journals Containers of material: (these, but not limited to) Legos, paper cups, markers/crayons/pencils, string, magnets, paper/binder clips, marbles, paper cups, brads, craft sticks, rubber bands, tape, google eyes, cardboard pieces, netting/cheesecloth, small hooks
The Standards:
ISTE: International Society for Technology Education- Creativity and Innovation 1.a, 1.b, 1.c, 1.d
- Communication and Collaboration 2.d, 2.c
- Research and Information Fluency 3.a, 3.d
- Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making 4.a, 4.b, 4.c, 4.d
- Digital Citizenship 5.a, 5.b
- Technology Operations and Concepts 6.a, 6.b, 6.c, 6.d
CCSS: Common Core Standards
NGSS: Next Generation Science Standards
Prior Knowledge Necessary for the Student:
Prior Knowledge Necessary: Understanding of Cubelets and their properties and how to reconfigure them to make changes to the robot’s behavior- If no prior knowledge: Lesson A.M.7
Prior Knowledge for the Educator:
An Artbot may end up looking something like this – but the sky is the limit – see what your students come up with!Educator Tips:
Before conducting this lesson, you may want to build an Artbot yourself.Preparation:
- Divide the class into groups of 2-5 students.
- For each group, place in a container the Cubelets they will need.
- For each group, gather the materials and place in containers the materials that are listed in the Additional Materials section of this lesson.
Lesson Plan Assets and Resources:
Click the buttons to download the Robot Journal and Extra Journal Pages
Lesson:
Introduction:
-
Time: 1-2 Minutes
- “In our last lesson, we learned about the Engineering Design Process. Today we are going to practice being engineers and solving a problem. Your team is going to use the Cubelets to build a robot, called an Artbot, which will be able to produce a piece of artwork. Your team will have a box of materials to use, but the rest is up to you. You will need to work together, using the design process, to come up with a solution.”
- “The problem to solve is to build a Cubelet robot, called an Artbot, which produces art.” You may want to show them the photos of Artbots included in this lesson.
- “Remember, work as a team, use the design process, and see what you can come up with.” Show them the box of materials and clarify any questions students might have. Time: 20-30 Minutes
- Allow the students to carry out this project. Your job is to encourage team work, get them to think through their problems and/or issues that arise, make suggestions without giving answers, supply other requested materials they might need, etc.
- You may want to ask questions such as:
- Does your team agree that the design solves the problem?
- Are you happy with the speed at which your Artbot works?
- Has your team tested the Artbot and solved issues to make it work more efficiently?
- In the end, you can have the teams share their Artbots.
Please note that this Artbot uses reprogrammed Cubelets to achieve this pattern.
Closure:
-
Time: 2 Minutes
- Talk with the class about this exercise and what they learned.Discuss real-life applications such as painting the lines on the street, on a basketball or tennis court, on their own playground for a 4-square, etc. Time: 5-7 Minutes
- Give students time to record their thoughts about this lesson in their Robotics Journal. Time 2-3 Minutes
- Allow time for students to put materials away and plug in the Battery Cubelets for recharging.
End Results:
Students will use the Design Process to design and build an Artbot using Cubelets.
Extension Activities:
Write about your experience using the Engineering Design Process and working on a team. Discuss both the positive and difficult issues that occurred when working together. Bonus: If, while you were working on your Artbot, you came up with a new idea for a robot with a different function describe it here.What to go to Next:
For more review:- Repeat this lesson, Using the Design Process, by having the Artbot behave in a different way.
- Design Thinking A.M.10
- Design Thinking A.M.10.
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