Student Workbook - Iridescent | A science education...
Transcript of Student Workbook - Iridescent | A science education...
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.
Mam
mal
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Inse
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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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I understand that the information my child has supplied is correct. My child can post his/her projects, pic-tures, and videos to the website and interact with others in the Curiosity Machine community. I understand my child may recieve promotional updates about upcoming design challenges and site improvements.
Child’s Curiosity Machine Username
Child’s Birth Date
Parent/Guardian Full Name
Relation to Child
Email Address
Date
Signature
Parent Consent Form
Imagine, Invent,Engineer