Introductory Activity for Unit on Building Robots

What is a Robot?

Possible Essential Questions

What are the characteristics/properties of a Robot?

Brainstorm list with students then post list in classroom
List may contain: (taken in part from http://science.howstuffworks.com/robot1.htm)
- Autonomous
- Has sensors
- Makes decisions based on input from sensors
- Contains a computer which controls it and makes decisions
- Programmed to execute a particular task or tasks
- Can be reprogrammed to do different tasks
- Has a moveable body or moveable parts
- Has actuators such as electric motors or solenoids
- Usually is a vehicle that moves under its own control
- Has a power source such as a battery
- Others?
Create a checklist/worksheet containing the list of robot characteristics that students can write descriptions of and check off as they look at different devices
Activity
- Are these devises robots or not? Have them on display where students can pick them up and look at these devices. Or show students videos of other possible devices.
  - Roomba
  - Cell phone
  - Radio controlled car
  - Radio controlled airplane
  - Drone
  - Automobile
  - Automatic Dishwasher
  - Automated warehouse
  - Others?
When students have completed this activity, get back together to discuss their findings as a group

Conclusion:
At the end of this activity, students should be able to understand and have a working definition of what a robot is.
Here is what we consider to be a good definition:

"A robot is a machine that gathers (senses) information about its environment and uses that information (thinks) to follow instructions to do work (actions)."

Other Resources

PBS Lesson: What is a Robot?
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/eng06.sci.engin.design.lp_robot/what-is-a-robot/

Teach Engineering: What is a Robot? (with LEGO Mindstorms NXT)
http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/umo_/lessons/umo_robotsandhumans_lessons/umo_robotsandhumans_less1.xml

Carnegie Science Center: What is a Robot?
http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/exhibits/roboworld-what-is-robot/