Your children will have a blast decorating the robot printable in this STEAM activity. This activity also invites your children to create a pulley that will allow the robot to fly. All the directions you will need to put this STEAM activity are displayed in Blockly blocks on the Creating a Flying Robot with an Algorithm Code Worksheet. Let me walk you through how I shared this STEAM activity with a group of my students at school.
Reading a Robot Book
I love to introduce a lesson by reading my students a book. Below you will find some of my favorite robot-themed books for children.
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Getting Ready for this STEAM Activity
Printing out the STEAM Activity Worksheet
You will want to print out the Creating a Flying Robot with an Algorithm Code Worksheet on white card stock. It will give the robot a rigid body. If you choose to use printer paper, it will create a floppy robot.
Gathering the Supplies Needed for This Project
First, you will need markers to decorate the robot with.
Second, you will need scissors to cut out the robot.
Third, you will need straws that your children can cut into sections to attach to the back of the robot with tape.
Fourth, you will need the tape to tape the straws to the robot.
Finally, you will need the yarn your children will thread through the straws.
Explaining The Activity to Your Children
Creating the Robot
After you have set out the supplies your children need for this project, you will want to read through each of the steps on the Blockly blocks with your children. You will want your children to understand what the directions or algorithm is asking them to do.
Some of your children will need to do more than read the directions with them. Some may need you to do each step with them. I did each step with my class. Here is what I told them:
- Color your robot
- Carefully cut out your robot.
- Tape two straw pieces to the back of the robot vertically.
- Thread the yarn up one straw and down the other. The yarn will need to be long enough to leave a loop above the straws.
- Tie knots in both ends of the yarn.
- Hang the loop over a knob.
Playing with the Robot
Start by having your children pull one end of the yarn.
After that, have your children try pulling both ends of the yarn.
Finally, have your children try pulling one end and then the other.
Your children will find that one of the methods shared above will work better for them than others. Have your children help you decide which method works best. (In other words, there is one way that will work best.) It will be fun to have your children figure out which way works best on their own or with your guidance.
Here are some more STEAM activities you will love!
Let’s Make Robot that Look like Robo-Pete the Cat
