National Robotics Week! - Posterity Blog Vol. 3 #7
Our Posterity = Our Children
Posterity comes from Middle English posterite, from Anglo-French pusterite, from Latin posterus ("coming after")
Volume 3 - Number 7
"The engineer requires the imagination to visualize the needs of society and to appreciate what is possible as well as the technological and broad social age understanding to bring his vision to reality.” -Sir Eric Ashby
Bright & Smart Monthly STEAM Teaching Resources
Project-Based STEAM teaching resource for the classroom In recognition of National Robotics Week (April 8-16)
History proves that humans have been thinking about robots for a very long time. In 320 B.C, the Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “If every tool, when ordered, or even of its own accord, could do the work that befits it... then there would be no need either of apprentices for the master workers or of slaves for the lords.”
In 2010, National Robotics Week was established by Congress and IRobot, an American corporation that builds robots that can be used in the inside of your house, as well as machines being used for space exploration and military defense. The purpose of this week is to grow awareness for the importance of STEAM education and the roles these subjects play in shaping our future. To learn more about National Robotics Week please visit their website.
Here is a list of just a few of the world's coolest robots!
MILO ROBOT- Milo was developed to help kids with Autism. It is designed to help parents, educators and therapists teach social skills. EKSO GT- a robotic suit that helps spinal injury and stroke victims to walk. DEKA Robot- bionic limbs that help people who were born without upper extremities or lost them in an accident to be able to enjoy simple luxuries like holding a fork and knife. PEPPER- claims to be the first robot that can recognize and respond to human emotion. It is equipped with 2 HD cameras, 4 microphones, and a 3D sensor. SPOT- is a four-legged designed robot that can perform activities inside and outside the house. Because of its design, Spot can easily survive on smooth as well as rough terrains. ASIMO- considered the world's most powerful humanoid, Asimo can map out its environment and avoid bumping into obstacles in its way.
Let's Build an ArtBot!
Building an ArtBot is a fun and creative way to teach your students about robots! This is a simple activity that will teach your students the basics about circuits and primitive robots. You will need materials such as:
Electric toothbrush
Pool noodle
Cheap, thin markers
Electrical tape
Decorating supplies - a Sharpie, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes
To increase the learning capabilities of this activity, have your students lay something vertically across the top of their robot (lightweight ruler, popsicle stick, etc.) Can they identify any changes in movement or vibration? This is activity is a great way for your students to practice their STEAM concepts! Remember to have your students work together in teams to build the most creative bot! For more information on this activity, please visit the Instructables website.
FROM OUR TEAM
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Thanks, —Bright & Smart Team
