Curriculum

Tools of Making

Grades: 3-12

Overview: This module will introduce students to tools and new technologies used to design and build products. Students rotate through sessions with hands-on activities or equipment demonstrations. Equipment used includes 3D printers, laser cutter, and vinyl plotter.

Balsa Wood Fliers

Grades: 5-10

Overview: This module will familiarize students with the basics of flight and aircraft design and allow them to put their knowledge to use by building customizable laser cut balsa wood airplanes. Students will test different designs and then work with a customizable model to design a glider with improved flight time and/or flight distance. During the activities, students will get to see the laser cutter in action while it cuts out the gliders.

Parts is Parts

Activities taken from

4-H Junk Drawer Robotics Curriculum

Grades: 

Overview: This module compares form vs. function; drawing vs. writing vs. verbal communication; and different structural shapes. Students also design and build catapults using common materials such has craft sticks, skewers, paperclips, and straws. Some of the supplies have been modified using the laser cutter.

Get Things Rolling

Activities taken from

4-H Junk Drawer Robotics Curriculum

Grades: 

Overview: This module explores static and rolling friction. Students also design cars that can coast the farthest down a ramp while being given material and financial constraints. Some of the materials have been modified or made using the laser cutter. 

Watt's Up?

Activities taken from

4-H Junk Drawer Robotics Curriculum

Grades: 

Overview: This module introduces simple circuits. Students learn how to make a complete circuit to light up a light bulb. They then make a complete circuit with a motor and use that to design and build a robot that can mark on paper.

Get a Move On

Activities taken from

4-H Junk Drawer Robotics Curriculum

Grades: 

Overview: This module will introduce the students to gear ratios. They will work with different size gears and make a gear train to slow down a motor output. They will then incorporate their gear train into a car design trying to get it to move slowly. Students will use gears that were made on the 3D printer and/or laser cutter.

Circuit Training

Activities taken from

4-H Junk Drawer Robotics Curriculum

Grades: 

Overview: This module will explore circuits more in depth. Students will create parallel and series circuits to compare the differences. They will make different types of switches. Students will also design and make a switch that can change the direction of a motor.