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March 11, 2014 by Karen Jensen, MLS

Take 5: Small Robots and Science Projects

March 11, 2014 by Karen Jensen, MLS   Leave a Comment

As part of our Teen Summer Reading Challenge, we are looking for ways that we can make some small robots with our teens. In part, because I am robot obsessed. And we’re all looking for fun ways to involve more tech it seems.

Bristle Bot

You can make a small robot using a toothbrush. It looks really quick and easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8IjkG79oU8

The Delaware County District Library (Ohio) recently did a program on the bristle bot and you can see their tutorial video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAjWU2vTZTk

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAjWU2vTZTk?rel=0]

You can make a slightly larger one using a shoe brush: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rd0-H8cG3A’

An Electric Car

There is a simple electric car, which is slightly more involved: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEPU4hRB9l8

You need: Sheet of cardboard;  4 milk bottle tops; 1 smaller bottle top; 1 drinking straw; Thin garden cane or bamboo skewer; Cheap vibrating toothbrush or a small electric motor and a battery

For some simpler science projects, check out the Nick and Tesla’s books from Quirk Books

The book Nick and Tesla’s High Voltage Danger Lab has instructions for:

Low-Tech Bottle Rocket and Launcher

Mints and Soda Fueled Robocat Dog Distractor

Christmas is Over Intruder Alert System

Do-It-Yourself Electromagnet and Picker-Upper

The book Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage has instructions for:
Do-It-Yourself PC Leftovers Wander-Bot
Do-It-Yourself Semi-Invisible Bottle Bot
Homemade Robo-Bug (which is the Bristle Bot shown above)
Replacement Robo-Angel Hoverbot
Totally Improvised Super Soaker Bot Blaster

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The books are middle grade mysteries, but the activities would definitely work to do a hands on science maker space with teens of any age.

Other Fun Ideas:

Much more involved, it would take a series, but you can combine Raspberry Pis and Legos to build a Remote Control Lego car: http://www.aoakley.com/articles/2013-09-19-raspberry-pi-lego-robot-part1.php

 
Solar Cockroach Virbobot: http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Cockroach-Virbobot/

Robot Racer: elastic band car http://www.instructables.com/id/Robot-Racer/

For more teens and tech, go here! 

And if you have more fun ideas for us, please share them in the comments.

Filed under: Makerspace, Robots, Science, Technology

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About Karen Jensen, MLS

Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).

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