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Science Safety Bots


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Keywords: Cubelets, robotics, science and technology, bot building, science, science lab rules, safety rules, robots
Subject(s): Science, Technology, Video, Robotics, Photography, Art, Information Skills, Writing
Grades 2 through 5
NETS-S Standard:
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
  • Technology Operations and Concepts
View Full Text of Standards
School: Gerald Adams Elem School, Key West, FL
Planned By: Katrina Madok
Original Author: Katrina Madok, Key West
Science Standards:
Practice of Science –
* Raise investigative questions, generate explanations based on exploration
* Compare observations made by groups using same tools, explain differences
* Keep accurate records
* Scientists question, discuss, and check each other’s evidence
Engineering-
*Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem
*Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost
*Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem

Materials:
Cubelet Kits – one for each student table (minimum of 6)
Brainstorming Sheet for science safety rules
Science Journals – final write of class created science safety rules, design application for bot/Lego creation
How to Build Bot Cards and fancy markers
Digital Camera – available for students to video bot in action and create how to build video to accompany written card directions

Activity:
At the start of the academic year, each science lab class creates a list of classroom safety rules to follow. Students are active in brainstorming, discussing, analyzing, and creating a master list. As an extension (and ongoing review) of these important classroom guidelines, we will be incorporating robotics to create student created sharing on importance of final selected safety rules.

1. Class brainstorms list of possible safety rules for science lab classroom. Each rule will have at least one example on its importance, either in cause/effect description, or visual image on results if rule not followed.
2. Students will be introduced to Cubelets and the functions for each cube. Working in groups, students will select a different safety rule from the master class created list to as their focus – and build a related safety bot example. Legos and the Lego brick attachments highly recommended to further create visualization/action of the safety bot doing its job.
3. Students will create a how to build card for their safety bot design, so other students can rebuild, check the original group’s bot design, and further enhance the initial safety bot.
4. Each group will share their creations with the class, and seek feedback/answer questions from peers.
5. Final bots will be shared with other classes, who are also doing same activity. Comparison of designs of created safety bots focusing on same safety rule will be emphasized.
6. Bot station will be available to students on Design Day, a robotics day scheduled at the end of each main science unit, before starting the next topic. In addition, bot cards and materials will be available as a “hands-on” station at school site community science events such as Open House and Science Expo nights.

Comments
At least 6 Cubelet kits needed, one per group table, due to fact each kit contains one battery block. Legos basics already available in the Science Lab classroom.
Cross-Curriculum Ideas
Students can incorporate this lesson, and related follow-ups listed below, for any academic topic. Students can also focus on the same topic, which will be designed uniquely by each team of students. Students can focus in more detail on the explanation/bot building card to focus on ELA standards, or even math by creating variables that the bot must master, or measure the movement of the final bot in action.
Follow-Up
Once students develop understanding of how Cubelets work and the functions of each cube, a bot building activity can be accompanied by any science lesson to build a bot to demonstrate a targeted key term, concept, or topic through the use of robotics.
Materials: Memory Cards, Batteries, Camera Bags, Point and Shoot
Other Items: 6 Cubelet Sets (either 6 or 12 piece kits), $149.00-249.00 each
2 Memory Cards, $20.00 each, total of $40.00
2 Camera bags, $included each
2 Camera batteries, $included each
2 Point and shoot cameras, $100.00 each, total of $200.00