The+Mechanical+Arm

The Mechanical Robotic Arm media type="custom" key="23473120" align="right"

Unit Objectives By the end of this unit, students will be able:
 * To demonstrate how the muscles in an arm function.
 * To compare and contrast the human arm with a robotic arm.
 * To articulate a rationale for the importance of using teamwork to complete a project
 * To identify the steps in the engineering design process

Activity One: The Mechanical Arm 1 //Materials List //
 * hole punch
 * 2 large paper clips
 * marker
 * 1 medium brass fastener (1 in. [2.5 cm])
 * paper cup
 * smooth string (39 in. [100 cm]) (for example, fishing line)
 * 1 straw (cut into 1-in. [2.5-cm] lengths)
 * 1 strip of corrugated cardboard (about 2 x 4 in. [5 x 10 cm]) (corrugated cardboard has grooves in the middle, like a cardboard shipping box)
 * 1 strip of corrugated cardboard (about 2 x 8 in. [5 x 20 cm])
 * tape

Procedures
 * See @http://pbskids.org/designsquad/build/robo-arm/

 Activity One: The Mechanical Arm 2

//Materials List //
 * Wooden craft sticks
 * Drill
 * Small brass paper fasteners
 * Assorted materials

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Procedure //
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Drill holes through the craft sticks as shown in the diagram. Each student will need four drilled sticks and four brass paper fasteners. Dampening the sticks before drilling can reduce cracking the wood.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have students assemble robot arms as shown in the illustration.



<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: right;">Source: @http://quest.nasa.gov/space/teachers/liftoff/robotics.html
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tell them to try to pick up a pencil or some other object with the arm. They will find the task difficult.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next, tell the students to design some sort of end effector for the end of the arm that will enable them to pick up the object. Students should make their end effector and attach it to the ends of the arm with glue.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluate their work by having them demonstrate picking up the object.


 * As an Extension, students can make a Robot Hand: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> []

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 * ** Another Extension, student can build a robotic hand out of drinking straws - **@http://www.instructables.com/id/Mechanical-Hand-using-only-fast-food-straws-Stra/



<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Content Review <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Learners review and interact with the following the following online resources: >
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Robotic Arm Game - @http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/600421
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bionic Arm Design Challenge - @http://www.tryengineering.org/bionic.php
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Robot Factory - @http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/robot-factory
 * Virtual Robotic Lab - @http://www.mind.ilstu.edu/curriculum/virtual_robotics_lab/lab.html

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Group Design Challenge: Build Your Own Artificial Arm //<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Goals // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Through this lesson, students will:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Learn design concepts.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Learn teamwork.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Learn problem solving techniques.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Learn about simple machines.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Support Materials
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">[[file:Prosthetic Arm Challenge Event Overview 2012-2013.ppt]]
 * [[file:Get-a-Grip_v6.pdf]]
 * [[file:MESA_USA_Prosthetic_Arm_2013-2014.pdf]]

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Resources/Materials //
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3" wide and approx. 22" long strips of cardboard-- 5 or so
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Binder clips (different sizes)-- 8 or more
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Brads-- @10
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clothespins-- 6
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Craft sticks--10-15
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fishing line-- 3-4 feet
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hangers-- 1 or 2
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Paper clips (diff. Sizes)-- 10-15
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pencils-- 3-4
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rubber bands (different sizes)--15
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tape-- clear and masking (partial rolls should be fine)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Twine-- 3-4 feet
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Various size scraps of cardboard--10 assorted

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Procedures // As a hook, show learners the following video: media type="custom" key="26109620" align="center"

> There is no "right" answer to the problem - your team's creativity will likely generate an arm that is unique from the others designed in your class.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Engage the learners in the following discussion: Assume that you are a mechanical engineer working on the design of an artificial arm for someone who has lost function of his or her arm/hand. What are some of the design considerations you will have to take into account? What capabilities will you want to design into the arm/hand? What capabilities of the human arm/hand might you be willing to give up in your design?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You are a member of a team of three or four students, working together to design and build a robot arm out of the materials which are provided to you
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The robot arm must be at least 18 inches in length, have at least three degrees of movement, and be able to pick up an empty Styrofoam cup. The support materials - the powerpoint and worksheets can help explain the task.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your team must agree on a design for the arm and identify what materials will be used. Your team should draw a sketch of your agreed upon design prior to construction. Part of the teamwork process is sharing ideas and determining which design your team will use.

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<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Accommodations


 * ** The Challenge ** || ** Accommodation ** || ** Description ** ||
 * Gifted Student || Independent Research || Students can do additional research on the biomechanics of arms. Findings from their research can be incorporated when students build their artificial arm. ||
 * Attention Deficit Disorder || Cue Cards

Time Tracker Visual Timer and Clock || * The directions for each of the projects (Robotic Arm 1; Robotic Arm 2; and Building an Artificial Arm) are printed – in large print – on cue cards. One direction or step per card. A teacher or peer tutor can read the directions aloud with this student.


 * The time tracker assists the student in knowing how much time is left with a given project. ||
 * Learning Disabilities || Concrete Presentation & Broken Down into Smaller Steps || Videos can be used to show students each step of the building process. The videos show each stage of the construction process, so that EACH step is demonstrated in a concrete model form. ||

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Lesson Assessment (Using Google Forms) media type="custom" key="23317352" align="center"