This lesson is used to review electricity, currents, and energy. This lesson is also an introduction to Robots. The Cube-lets are used as a connection between Robots and currents. Students will discuss electricity, current, energy, and circuits (based on their grade level.)
They will also receive a brief introduction to robots with a discussion of how they are used, or will be used in the future. Students will then use a box of Cube-lets, magnetic blocks that can be snapped together to create their own robots. No programming or wiring is needed and each unique arrangement is a new robot, with new behaviors based on the combination used. Logical thinking, patterns and sequencing are developed as children put together their creations. (Appropriate for most grade levels.)
Lesson Time: 60-80 minutes
Student Activity 1: Small groups of students act out electrons moving in a conductive wire using blocks.
Student Activity 2: Students will learn how to use Cube-lets to build simple robots in a guided lesson.
Student Activity 3: Students get to experiment on their own to see if they can build the robots on the challenge cards.
Group work: Students will work in groups of 3 or 4 (a total of 6 groups is best). In order to save time, teachers are asked to create the groups before our Wizard arrives.
Science Standards:
1.PS.2: Objects can be moved in a variety of ways, such as straight, zigzag, circular and back and forth.
2.PS.1: Forces change the motion of an object.
3.PS.3: Heat, electrical energy, light, sound and magnetic energy are forms of energy.
4.PS.2: Energy can be transferred from one location to another or can be transformed from one form to another. Electric circuits require a complete loop of conducting materials through which electrical energy can be transferred. Electrical energy in circuits can be transformed to other forms of energy, including light, heat, sound and motion.
6.PS.4: An object’s motion can be described by its speed and the direction in which it is moving.
7.PS.4: Energy can be transferred through a variety of ways.
8.PS.2: Forces can act to change the motion of objects.
Technology Standards: STRAND: Design and Technology
Topic 3: Demonstrate that solutions to complex problems require collaboration, interdisciplinary understanding, and systems thinking.
Topic 4: Evaluate designs using functional, aesthetic and creative elements.