Process
In Activity 1, you will individually study the problem solving model and hydraulics. Use the internet and the links provided to fill in the information requested. Please record your research in the work packet provided by the teacher.
What are the steps to problem solving?
Problem Solving - 4 Simple Steps (easy)
Problem Solving - 6 Simple Steps (medium)
Problem Solving - 7 Steps - Good Graphic Chart (medium)
Problem Solving - 9 Steps (challenger)
For an alternative look into problem solving, look here:
First Steps in Solving Open-Ended Problems
What arm hydraulics and fluid systems?
In Activity 2, you will continue your individual research to find information on the history of robots and how they have changed and been used over time. Use the internet links provided below to fill in the information requested. Please reflect on the use of robots in our society today and think about the possibilities for the future. You will later use this information and your ideas to create a company pamphlet stating a short history of robots and your company’s vision of robots in the future.
Intro To Robot Arms and How They Work
If we have extra class time, here are some robot related:
Educational Games and Activities.
More Educational Games and Activies
Future implications for robots:
Wall Climbing (Spiderman) Robots
What If Robots Really Attacked?
How To Survive a Robot Uprising
Once you have completed your research, you will form groups of three (Project Director, Accountant, and Engineer) which will establish a company. Your company’s first task, Activity 3, is to design a pamphlet stating a short history of robots and their company’s vision of robots in the future. If you have never made a pamphlet before, please go the link below to brainstorm ideas for the format and layout of your company’s pamphlet.
Your company’s second task, Activity 4, is to come up with designs for your robot arm. The robot arm will be used in a series of challenges presented by the instructor. Each of your company members will create their own drawing first. Please keep in mind that your robot arms will consist of a base, a main body, and a gripper for picking up objects. Your robot will use syringes as the motors for your robot arm.
To view video of actual working models and get design ideas, go here.
Activity 5: After your company members have created their designs, it is up to the Engineer choose the final design and draw it in a scale of one half (1/2). At this time, Project Directors will be busy creating the company logo. Accountants will be beginning their financial paper work.
After your company has started on your job packets and created the design for your robotic arm, you will begin building a full sized robotic arm. It is important that you work as a team to fine tune your new machines and prepare it for the 2 challenges, Activity 6, you will face.
In the first challenge you will be moving as many pencils as possible from a pencil stand to a cup in 60 seconds. Your company will be given time to make any needed adjustment so that your robotic arm will be ready to place as many ping pong balls as possible onto a plastic bottle. Each challenge has it’s own unique obstacles so hopefully your company’s design is ready for the challenge.
After completing the competitions, you will analyze the data recorded in Activity 7 and determine whose team had the best design and also whose company worked best as a team.
For Activity 8 you will work on your own to write a reflection about the completed project and what you learned throughout from this webquest.
Some questions you might reflect on are:
If you had switched job roles, would your completed robot arm be different? If so, how?
As a group did you have any conflicting ideas on your project? If so, were you flexible enough to compromise with the group and come to an agreement?