Engineers team up to design and construct an 18-inch-long robotic arm that can successfully pick up a paper cup. Each group is given the exact same set of materials, but it is up to them to decide what to use and how to use it. It is a straightforward, yet challenging plan for your physical science class.

Concepts

robots

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Additional Tags

Engineering, robot, stem, balanced forces, science

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Pros

• Several Next Generation Science Standards in engineering can be met with this lesson
• Helps youngsters develop collaboration, problem solving, and critical thinking skills
• An included worksheet poses self-evaluation questions

Cons

• Younger children with less hand coordination may find it difficult to build an apparatus capable of grasping the cup; you may want to only consider this lesson for middle school classes