Technovation
Curiosity Machine: Challenges: Engineer a Safe Stopping Robot
A challenge for students to design and engineer a robot that turns itself off when it leaves a safe area. This challenge contains tips, a lesson plan, and a place for students to document their engineering design process.
Technology Student
Technology Student: Robo Lab
This site describes how to use the RoboLab software that is used with the Lego Mindstorms system. The Mindstorms product is used to introduce robotics to beginners.
Technology Student
Technology Student: Pic Microcontrollers
This site describes how to program and use PIC controllers, which are often used in the robotics field.
Other
Popular Mechanics: Technology
Popular Mechanics covers the latest in technology. Topics include computers, the Internet, audio, television, and more.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Grand Challenge: Simulating Human Vision
Students are introduced to the Robotics Peripheral Vision Grand Challenge question. They are asked to write journal responses to the question and brainstorm what information they require to answer the question. Their ideas are shared...
Other
Physorg.com: Technology: Engineering: Robo Copters in Marines' Future
Learn about the possibility of using robotic helicopters, summoned by a soldier's digital handheld, to assist in a combat area.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Fence That Farmland!
Students develop and solidify their understanding of the concept of perimeter as they engage in a portion of the civil engineering task of land surveying, using the technology of a LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robot to automate this task.
Government of Canada
Canadian Space Agency: Canadarm
A concise description of the development, function and history of Canada's most famous robotic and technological achievement.
Other
Youth Time Magazine: The Impact of Technology on the Future of Work
An interview with David Timis who studies the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work. He discusses how youth can prepare themselves. Includes a 30-minute video. (Published August 30, 2020)
McGraw Hill
Glencoe Technology Education: Mission to Mars Web Quest
This WebQuest lets you explore Mars through the missions sent there over the years. You can evaluate what you think about the benefits of space exploration.
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Nao Robot
This photo shows two Nao robots performing at an exhibition. Nao is a humanoid robot made by Aldebaran Robotics. It is used in RoboCup competitions and can complete complex dance routines.
Computer Hope
Computer Hope: What Jobs Are Being Taken Over by Robots and Computers?
A list of jobs that were replaced, and are being replaced or assisted by robots and computers.
Read Works
Read Works: Robo Helpers
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about new robots that learn to walk like humans. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in drawing conclusions.
Scholastic
Scholastic News: Transformers Come to Life
This article describes Kuratas, a 13 foot tall Japanese robot that can be operated by a human pilot or remotely via a 3G touch phone.
Read Works
Read Works: Almost Human
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage discusses the topic of robots. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and establishes scaffolding for vocabulary...
English for Everyone
Reading Comprehension Assessent: "Robots" [Pdf]
Read Theory provides a free reading comprehension assessment that is designed for reading students in elementary grades. Six multiple choice questions and one extended response question are included on the nonfiction reading assessment.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: You've Got Triangles!
Students learn about trigonometry, geometry and measurements while participating in a hands-on interaction with LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT technology. First they review fundamental geometrical and trigonometric concepts. Then, they estimate the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Haptics: Touch Command
Students experience haptic (the sense of touch) feedback by using LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robots and touch sensors to emulate touch feedback recognition. With four touch sensors connected to LEGO NXTs, they design sensor attachments that...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Automatic Floor Cleaner Computer Program Challenge
Students learn more about assistive devices, specifically biomedical engineering applied to computer engineering concepts, with an engineering challenge to create an automatic floor cleaner computer program. Following the steps of the...
NASA
Nasa: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology is "the lead US center for robotic exploration of the solar system."
Other
Australian Acad. Of Science: Food Waste: Preventing Multi Billion Dollar Problem
The top priority when it comes to food waste is to avoid generating more. Food waste includes all food intended for human consumption that never reaches us, as well as edible food that consumers throw away. As it rots in landfills, food...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Pilotless Flight: Timeline of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Explore this NOVA: "Spies That Fly" interactive timeline and discover the many technological innovations in the history of unmanned flight, from hot-air balloons to miniature flying robots.
Government of Canada
Canadian Space Agency: Canadian Astronauts Brent Thirsk
Dr. Thirsk is scheduled to be a member of Expedition 20 in 2009 to the International Space Station. He will live and work on the ISS for up to six months; an extended stay this is a Canadian first. His duties will include robotic...
NASA
Nasa Human Research Program: 21st Century Explorer
This NASA research program allows students to explore space topics using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills. Find twelve themes to investigate through video, song, and animation. Also find links to other NASA projects.