This free Robotics lesson plan is made possible by hoopla digital, one of my favorite STEAM unit study resources. Please consider expressing your thanks to hoopla digital on Twitter or Facebook. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
To utilize time well in the homeschool classroom, I often try to integrate different curricular areas into my lessons. That’s why I love using STEAM lessons! STEAM lessons incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math to help your child receive a well-rounded education and develop their strengths. STEAM is also about incorporating futuristic ideas and design thinking. Your child is developing skills that will help them in the future. They may enter a career that doesn’t exist yet. The world of robotics is making so many things possible!
Here’s a robotics STEAM lesson plan to try with your student!
Robotics STEAM Lesson Plan
Lesson: Robotics
Grade Level(s): 7-9
Robotics STEAM Lesson Plan Introduction:
One of the strongest movements in the STEAM field is robotics. Allow your child to research innovative designs made possible because of advancements in the field of robotics. Career fields involving robotics are definite opportunities for young learners as they enter the future work world. For starters, students can learn to create their own robots with helpful STEAM resources found on hoopla digital.
This lesson begins with a video, ”What Will the Future Be Like?”. Then, your child will spend time researching careers in robotics with an engaging text book, Robotics Careers. Finally, your student will create a robot with simple materials you can find at home. The lesson should take about 5-6 hours to complete.
Robotics STEAM Lesson Plan Materials:
- Video, ”What Will the Future Be Like?”
- Book, Robotify It! Robots You Can Make Yourself
- printable graphic organizer
- plastic lids or bowls
- paper
- pencil
- scissors
- craft foam
- pushpin
- ruler
- solar cell with wires
- double-stick adhesive foam
- needle-nose pliers
- three paper clips
- hot glue gun and glue sticks
- wire stripper
- vibrating DC motor with wires
- electrical tape
- clear tape
- googly eyes
- chenille stems
- pom poms
Robotics STEAM Lesson Plan Procedure:
STEP ONE:
Watch ”What Will the Future Be Like?” PBS video. The approximately hour-long video, released in 2013, has some futuristic inventions that may be close to reality in 2019. Use this video to discuss what robotics has done to innovate education and the work world. What jobs could be replaced by robots? What does that mean for your child as they look for future-ready careers? What innovations are they the most excited about? What ideas would they create to help the future of communication, education, medicine and more?
STEP TWO:
Now that your child has explored the future with robotics and other innovative tools, have them look into careers related to robotics. Even though some careers are becoming obsolete because of robots, the future with robots is responsible for creating many jobs that don’t even exist yet! Have your child research Robotics Careers through the book of the same name. Your student may also choose to use reputable websites and reach out to engineers, computer scientists, and others in the field of robotics. Have your child fill out the graphic organizer as they explore the different occupations in the robotics field.
STEP THREE:
It’s time to create! After exploring futuristic ideas and careers, let your learner make their own robot from projects in Robotify It! Robots You Can Make Yourself. Make a bouncy solar bugbot with the directions on pages 10-13 in the book. Although the text is also appropriate for elementary students, middle level students will enjoy creating these unique robots with objects found at home. Your homeschooler will love this hands-on, engaging activity. Explore other robot creations in the book as well.
Materials Needed:
- Book, Robotify It! Robots You Can Make Yourself
- plastic lids or bowls
- paper
- pencil
- scissors
- craft foam
- pushpin
- ruler
- solar cell with wires
- double-stick adhesive foam
- needle-nose pliers
- three paper clips
- hot glue gun and glue sticks
- wire stripper
- vibrating DC motor with wires
- electrical tape
- clear tape
- googly eyes
- chenille stems
- pom poms
Follow the simple procedure on pages 10-13 to make a robotic bug powered by sunlight in 13 easy steps.
This lesson plan gives your child an opportunity to research through video, nonfiction text, and hands-on learning. Give it a try in your classroom for your next STEAM integrated unit!
This free Robotics STEAM Lesson Plan is brought to you by hoopla digital.
hoopla digital is a category-creating service that partners with public libraries across North America to provide online and mobile access to thousands of movies, television, music, eBooks, audiobooks and comics. With hoopla digital, patrons can borrow, instantly stream, and download dynamic content with a valid library card. All content is accessible via hoopla digital’s mobile app and online at www.hoopladigital.com. hoopla digital is a service of Midwest Tape – a trusted partner to public libraries for nearly 30 years
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