Engage

The links below are previews of the activities only.  For the complete module and event information, please see the Complete Educator Guide link for each grade level.

Grade K-4
     "Robots in Action" Activity: 
            Students will create, illustrate, and write about how
            robots could be used in a student's daily life.
     "Think Like a Robot" Activity:
            Students will demonstrate how hard it is to accurately
            guide a robot through simple tasks.
                 + Detailed activities information
                 + Complete Educator Guide for K-4

Grade 5-8
     "Robotic Arm" Activity:
            Students will learn how the end effectors for the robotic
            arms used on the Space Shuttle and the International
            Space Station work. Students will design and construct
            a grapple fixture that will enable the end effector to pick
            up an object.
     "Can a Robot Tie Your Shoes?" Activity:
            This activity is designed to help analyze a simple, everyday
            task from the point of view of a robot.
     "Design a Microrover for the Moon" Activity:
            Students will design a microrover spacecraft for exploring
            the Moon's South Pole region.
                 + Detailed activities information
                 + Complete Educator Guide for 5-8

Grade 9-12
     "Robotic Arm" Activity:
            Students will develop a robotic arm and an end effector to
            interact with the environment.
     "Robotic Maze" Activity:
            Students will design and build their own rovers, explaining
            what type of instrumentation they would include and why
            it is necessary.
                 + Detailed activities information
                 + Complete Educator Guide for 9-12

Prior to the event, students should take the pre-event assessment quiz.  Below is a link for the on-line quiz for grade 5-8.  Quizzes for grade K-4 and 9-12 are available in the Complete Educator Guide (not available as on-line quiz).

During the videoconference, students will interact with a NASA Education Specialist and present their classroom projects on robots.

Following the event, students should take the post-event assessment quiz. Below is a link for the on-line quiz for grade 5-8. Quizzes for grade K-4 and 9-12 are available in the Complete Educator Guide (not available as on-line quiz).

Upon teacher's discretion, students are encouraged to explore the recommended extended activities listed in the Educator Guide for further study on the topics learned in the videoconference.

For more information on NASA Robotics:
     http://robotics.nasa.gov
     http://robotics.arc.nasa.gov/archive/webcasts.php
     http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV/

The following standards are abbreviated for the 5-8 module. Due to the longevitiy of standard descriptions, expected student behaviors are listed in the Educator Guide. Standards and expected student behaviors for grades K-4 and 9-12 can be found in the appropriate Educator Guide.

Science Standards (NSES)

Science and Technology
Abilities of Technological Design

History and Nature of Science
Science as a Human Endeavor
Historical Perspectives

Technology Education Standards

8. Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design
9. Students will develop an understanding of engineering design

Mathematics Standards

Measurement
Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement. Apply appropriate techniques. Tools, and formulas to determine measurements.
Connections
Recognize and use connections among mathematical ideas. Understand how mathematical ideas interconnect and build on one another to produce a coherent whole. Recognize and apply mathematics in contexts outside of mathematics

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

Science
• 3.E
• 5.A,B,C

Social Studies
• 29.A

English
• 15.A