STEAM Ahead
Chicago Height/ Park Forest, Illinois
Science Technology Engineering Art Math




Activity Example


 Squiggle Bots 


Using electricity and engineering to draw.

Grade Level Focus: 5th Grade 
School: Barack Obama School of Leadership and STEM
Teaching Artist: Alana Ferguson
Classroom Teacher: Paul Capps
Materials: light-weight cups or containers, tape, small DC motors, batteries (1.5V-9V), markers, tape or other forms of adhesive, paper
Lessons: 1

Unit: Kinetic Sculpture



Summary:
Applying balance, motion and electricity to construct a self-drawing scribbling machine
Lesson Sequence:

  1. Figure out how to make motor turn on. Discuss electricity.
  2. Connect motor and markers to container.
  3. Add to squiggle bot drawing to make new drawing.

(NEED TO REPLACE VIDEO)
Patty Whitehouse,
STEAM Ahead Consultant


Next Generation Science Standards:
ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems

ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions

National Arts Standards: Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. 

Artist Connections:


Additional Resources:
Exploratorium Scribble Machines (Website)
Exploratorium Scribble Machines (PDF)





Work examples: 

Squiggle Bot Drawing


 


 

Kinetic Sculpture Unit Plan Activity Examples: