During National Science and Engineering Week 2013, as part of the activities provided by the University of Northampton, the Junkbots project, run by a member of the computing team, returned as part of programme of activities to South End Primary School, Rushden, Northamptonshire, UK.
National Science and Engineering Week is annual event celebrating science and engineering activities (http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/national-science-engineering-week)
Last year during the same week Junkbots also formed part of the activities (see http://junkbots.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/junkbots-goes-south.html). The junkbots project is run by the computing team as part of the team's work on problem-solving skills (for example: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/teaching-and-learning-journal-papers.html)
This time we worked with two classes - a year 2 and a year 5 class; building the drawing junkbot. Examples of previous drawing junkbots are shown above. Approximately 50 children took part across the two 45 minute activities.
Essentially a drawing junkbot is based around a drinks can that:
- draw patterns without anyone touching it;
-carried the battery pack or not depends on the age of the group;
-moves by shaking a can using an unbalanced motor with 'legs' make from pens.
Related links
- Details of the work developed and a case study can be found at: http://www.hestem-sw.org.uk/project?id=16&pp=540
- Details of the case study can be found at: http://projects.hestem-sw.org.uk/upload/Junkbot_june_northampton.pdf
- Details of an in-school session plan can be found at: http://projects.hestem-sw.org.uk/upload/Planning_Process_junkbots_KS3_4_longer.docx
- Details of an STEM club session plan can be found at: http://projects.hestem-sw.org.uk/upload/Planning_Process_junkbots_primary_short8.docx
- Previous visit to South End School see http://junkbots.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/junkbots-goes-south.html)
If you would like to know more about the Junkbots project contact scott.turner@northampton.ac.uk
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