Robotic Arm – Become a space engineer for a day

Brief description:

In this activity, students will learn how their arm works and build a robotic arm inspired on it.

Students will understand the different functions of bones and muscles.

They will build and test a model robotic arm and understand why a robotic arm is a very important tool in space.

Subject: Science, Arts

Learning Objectives:

Learn the different functions of bones and muscles.

Understand how the human arm works.

Learn what a robotic arm is.

Know why robotic arms are useful tools, especially in space.

Explore and test ideas whilst building a machine (a robotic arm) in a group.

Age range:

8-12 years old

Time

Lesson: 60 minutes

Resource available in:

English, Danish, French, Italian, Spanish and Romanian.

Activity 1: How does our arm work?

In this activity, pupils will learn how the arm works and why robotic arms are useful tools.

Equipment

Student worksheet printed for each pupil.

Pen/pencil

Activity 2: Build your robotic arm

In this activity, pupils will build their own robotic arm and use it to perform different tasks and test its functionality in different situations.

Equipment

10 popsicle sticks (approximately 10 cm x 2 cm)

Student worksheet printed for each pupil.

Two strong cardboard rectangles or similar (approximately 10 cm x 2 cm)

Hot glue

Two bottle caps or erasers

Scissors

12 split pin paper fasteners

Did you know?

ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet took this photo from the International Space Station and said that “the robotic arm is one of the most essential parts of the International Space Station and is used for every capture and berthing of supply spacecaft”.