Student WorkbookWorksheets to help you build your own robot

inspired by nature

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Contents

Nature ObservationMacro Nature Observation 3Micro Nature Observation 4Nature Identification 5Nature Observation Videos 6Tracking Animal Communications 7Animal Communication Types 8Tracking Plant Movements 9Tracking Animal Movements 10Tracking Plant Growth 11Tracking Facial Movement 12

MechanismsEngineering Design Process 13Basic Mechanisms 14Invent Your Own Mechanism 15Design a Mechanical Pegboard 16Understanding Forces 17Forces in Mechanisms 18Mechanisms in Toys 19Motion Conversion 20Invent a Bio-Mechanism 21

Circuits & MotorsMotor Comparison 22

Final ProjectPlan Your Bio•bot 23Reflect & Redesign Log 24Additional Planning Pages 27

Parent Consent Form 37

Nature Observation

Nature Observation 3

Macro Nature ObservationObjectiveExplore your environment and create a Nature Survey.

DateTimeWeather

Describe Your MapLabel your map showing what you found and where.

ReflectWhat did you discover?

Where are you?Draw a map of your location.

Describe The EnvironmentDrawDraw the plants and animals you observe.

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mal

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Nature Observation

Nature Observation 4

Micro Nature ObservationObjectiveSit somewhere quietly for 5 minutes and record the environment.

SightWhat do you see?

FocusFocus on something that interests you. Draw it!

DescribeDescribe what you’re focusing on!

ReflectWhat can you learn about the environment?

Where are you?Draw a map of your location.

Is there anything you observed that surprised you? If yes, what was it?

SmellWhat do you smell?

SoundWhat do you hear?

Nature Observation

Nature Observation 5

ObjectiveLearn to identify plants and animals. Date

TimeWeather

ObserveDraw and describe a plant or animal you want to identify.

ReflectUse a field guide or other resource to try to identify your plant or animal. What species do you think it is?

Draw and describe what is unique about this plant or animal. Why does it interest you?

Draw and describe a plant or animal you can compare this one to. What are the differences?

Nature Identification

Nature Observation

Nature Observation 6

Nature Observation Videos

Birds• Allen’s Hummingbird http://tinyurl.com/l5eb62v• Red Winged Black Bird http://tinyurl.com/mfpgtxf• Starling http://tinyurl.com/pfbc6nm• Starling and Pigeon http://tinyurl.com/m9c69p7• Mourning Dove http://tinyurl.com/nfsfuet• Red Tailed Hawk http://tinyurl.com/l6addp2• Northern Mockingbird http://tinyurl.com/mgmxn43• Crow http://tinyurl.com/oap8ba2

Reptiles and Amphibians• Red Eared Slider http://tinyurl.com/ph3mg52• Western Fence Lizard http://tinyurl.com/pvhcbec• Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake http://tinyurl.com/nv5xnmz• Japanese Striped Snake http://tinyurl.com/oreef6m• Red Eyed Treefrog http://tinyurl.com/puwxtmg

Mammals• Coyotes http://tinyurl.com/pps4sln• Eastern Fox Squirrel http://tinyurl.com/p4x8hqa• Raccoon http://tinyurl.com/olgacep• Bobcat http://tinyurl.com/oya9ua6

Insects• Flame Skimmer Dragonfly http://tinyurl.com/p7u48gw• Ant http://tinyurl.com/pcjsef9• Monarch Butterfly http://tinyurl.com/mvuk696• Cricket http://tinyurl.com/plxuw4a

Observe Observe animals in their environment. Click on the animal name or type the web ad-dress into your browser.

Nature Observation

Nature Observation 7

Tracking Animal CommunicationsObjectiveLearn to identify methods of animal communication.

ObserveObserve an animal in its environment and study how it communicates with other animals. Draw and de-

scribe any visual, auditory, tactile, or chemical communication that you observe in stages, or frames. Watch Nature Observation Videos if you have trouble finding animals to observe.

ReflectHow would you create the communication observed mechanically? What mechanisms could you use

and how? Be specific.

Frame 1

Frame 2

Frame 3

Nature Observation

Nature Observation 8

Animal Communication Types

Observe Animals communicate in many different ways. See if you can identify these commu-nication types while observing nature and list them in the spaces provided!

VisualCommunication

ChemicalCommunication

TactileCommunication

AuditoryCommunication

Anole Lizards do push-ups, head-bobs, and flash their colorful dulap (a large flap of skin on their neck) to attract mates and fend off competitors.

Songbirds such as blackbirds, sparrows, and mockingb1rds sing to communicate warnings and attract mates.

Cats lick and groom each other to show affection and build bonds.

Skunks spray a stinky chemical compound con-taining sulfur to ward off predators and other per-cieved threats.

Nature Observation

Nature Observation 9

Tracking Plant Movements

ObjectiveObserve and record plant movements

DateTimeWeatherLocation

ReflectHow could you create the movements observed mechanically? What mechanisms would you use and how? Be specific!

DescribeDescribe a plant that interests you.Why did you pick this plant?

DrawDraw a plant.

Draw a close-up

Observed MovementsDraw plants that you observe, using arrows to show their motions.

Nature Observation

Nature Observation 10

Tracking Animal MovementsObjectiveObserve and record animal movements.

DateTimeWeatherObserve

Observe an animal and record its movements. Draw one movement in 3 “time points”, or frames, and describe the type of movement observed.

ReflectHow would you create the movement observed mechanically? What mechnisms could you use and

how? Be specific.

Frame 1

Frame 2

Frame 3

Nature Observation

Nature Observation 11

Tracking Plant GrowthObjectiveObserve and record plant growth in a natural environment.

DateTimeWeatherLocation

ReflectHow could you create the growth and other changes observed in the plant mechanically? What mechanisms would you use and how? Be specific!

DescribeDescribe the size, shape, color, and other details of the plant you observed.

Observation #1Draw a close-up

Observation #2Visit your plant after a few days. What growth do you observe?

Draw a plant

DateTimeWeatherLocation

Draw a close-upDraw the plant

Nature Observation

Nature Observation 12

Tracking Facial MovementObjectiveLearn to identify universal facial expressions and their role in human communication

DateTimeWeather

ObserveObserve human nonverbal communication and facial expressions. Draw and describe facial movements

that you observe in stages, or frames.

ReflectWhat universal facial expression did you observe? How would you create the the facial expression

mechanically? Be specific.

Frame 1

Frame 2

Frame 3

Mechanisms 13

Mechanisms

Engineering Design ProcessObjectiveUse the engineering design process to solve a design challenge.

PlanPlan your design and label what materials you’ll use.

InspirationFind the Engineer a Skyscraper for the Wind design chal-lenge and watch the inspiration video on curiositymachine.org

BuildDescribe your building process and any problems you encountered.

TestTest your design! Does it work like you thought it would?

RedesignWhat can you do to improve your design? How will you change it?

ReflectWhat did you learn from your design? How can you apply what you’ve learned to future inventions?

Mechanisms 14

Mechanisms

ObjectiveIdentify and interpret basic mechanism functions

Basic Mechanisms

ClassifyClassify machines you see in daily life

as basic mechanisms.

AnalyzeHypothesize the function of the

basic mechanism

Crank

Gear

Cam

Belt

Joint

Mechanisms 15

Mechanisms

ObjectiveUse your understanding of basic mechanisms to invent your own mechanism.

Invent Your Own Mechanism

What function will your mechanism perform? What available materials can you use to build your design?

Plan

DrawDraw an existing mechanism that inspires your de-

sign.Draw your invented mechanism design and label

what materials will be used and where.

How will your mechanism move and transfer motion?

How can it be used with other mechanisms as part of a larger machine?

Mechanisms 16

Mechanisms

ObjectiveBuild a pegboard that lets you test multiple linkage systems and types of motion.

Design a Mechanical Pegboard

PlanDraw your design plan and label the types of motion you want it to create using arrows.

ReflectHow can you apply linkage systems to your design?

Build & TestBuild and test your design! What types of motion did you create, and where?

Mechanisms 17

Mechanisms

ObjectiveRecord 3 contact forces and 1-2 natural forces acted out in class.

Understanding Forces

Example: 2 students push to create applied contact forces. The forces are equal and opposite, so they are balanced.

1st Scenario:

2nd Scenario:

3rd Scenario:

Mechanisms 18

Mechanisms

ObjectiveIdentify forces you think cause different mechanical motions.

Forces in Mechanisms

Pulley

Draw & DescribeDraw arrows to indicate the direction you think forces are acting, and list the forces in the space provided.

Even if you’re not sure, make a guess and see if you’re right!

Cam Crank

Crank Slider Lever GearsLinkage

Bevel Gear

Mechanisms 19

Mechanisms

ObjectiveObserve moving toys and form ideas about how they work.

Mechanisms in Toys

DrawDraw a mechanical toy using arrows to show motion and forces. Label the forces you observe.

HypothesizeDraw the mechanisms you think make the toy work! Remember to use arrows to show forces and motion.

Mechanisms 20

Mechanisms

ObjectiveIdentify different types of motion conversion in mechanical systems

Motion Conversion

ObserveExplore the websites listed below. Find different types of motion conversion!

• Robives http://www.robives.com/mechs• Boston Exploratorium http://tinyurl.com/nc8k3ae • BBC Design and Tech http://tinyurl.com/cw5snfk• Cornell Mechanisms http://tinyurl.com/q9erof7

Draw & DescribeDraw & describe the complex mechanisms you observe converting motion. Identify the motions converted

and the forces involved.

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Mechanisms 21

Mechanisms

ObjectiveDesign a mechanism that mimics movement in plants, animals or humans.

Invent a Bio-Mechanism

Draw &DescribeDraw & describe the motion you want to mimic mechanically. Use arrows to show motion.

DesignDraw a design that you think will be able to mimic the motion you observed. Use arrows to show how

motion will be coverted..

Squirrel tail-Flicking to communicate danger:Use straws, string, and beads. Pulling the green string folds the tail and pulling the blue string strainghtens it.

Example:

Circuits & Motors 22

Circuits & Motors

CompareCompare the pros and cons of these common motors when designing your Bio•bot.

Motor Type Good Bad Notes

DC Motor • inexpensive• easy to use• safe

• not powerful• stalls easily• small shaft can be dif-

ficult to work with

• connect +/- terminals to power supply

• reverse polarity to reverse direction of spinning

• speed determined by voltage

Servo Motor • easy to control with mi-crocontroller (such as Galileo)

• several shaft couplers for easy mechanical connections

• can spin in stops and starts

• somewhat expensive• loud

• 3 wires: +/-/control.• wire colors not stan-

dardized, must refer-ence manual to con-nect correctly

Stepper Motor • can spin in stops and starts

• can be controlled pre-cisely

• reliable

• not very powerful• connecting to mi-

crocontroller can be frustrating (reference manual if available, or search for your motors instructions online)

• have between 4-8 wires, complicated to connect

• requires programming & hardware to control

Solenoid • linear motion• easy and reliable to use

• small shaft travel dis-tance

• two wires, no polarity• usually require 12-24

volts to operate

Information in this table and more can be found at http://tinyurl.com/motorinfo

WatchVideos of motors in motion:

• DC Motor http://tinyurl.com/l43leha• Servo Motor (Lego) http://tinyurl.com/q5dqbsd• Stepper Motor http://tinyurl.com/pvz993r• Solenoid http://tinyurl.com/ormdquc

Motor Comparison

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Final Project

Plan Your Bio•bot

ObjectiveFind inspiration in your nature observations and draw a plan for a design. What move-ment do you think will be able to mimic? Consider what you’ve learned about mecha-nisms, and how to control them with circuit, motors, and hardware!

Bio•bot Inspiration

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Final Project

Reflect & Redesign Log

ObjectiveLog your learnings, reflections, and improvements to your design. Remember to per-sist and learn from problems and failures!

Example

Date Reflection & Learnings Redesign NotesOct. 10th 1st design: I built a robot that moves like

a squirrel’s tail out of straws, string, and cardboard. I’m using a servo motor to make it start and stop moving suddenly, but for some reason it’s not working.

I think I should do some more research on programming my motor, and make sure that it is getting power.

Oct. 12th I got my motor to work after re-programming! However, my mechanism isn’t moving like I thought it would. I think it has something to do with the way motion is being transferred from its input mechanism.

I’m going to try redesigning the crank slider input mechanism. Maybe if I use a larger wheel the motion transferred will be larger and more noticeable.

Date Reflection & Learnings Redesign Notes

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Date Reflection & Learnings Redesign Notes

Final Project

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Date Reflection & Learnings Redesign Notes

Final Project

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Additional Planning Pages

Final Project

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Final Project

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Final Project

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Final Project

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Final Project

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Final Project

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Final Project

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Final Project

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Final Project

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Final Project

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Child’s Curiosity Machine Username

Child’s Birth Date

Parent/Guardian Full Name

Relation to Child

Email Address

Date

Signature

Parent Consent Form

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