Robotic Arm

Your Mission: Design and build a robotic arm to perform some simple tasks.

To help out in space, scientists have designed and used robotic arms for years. On Earth, scientists have designed robotic arms for everything from moving heavy equipment to performing delicate surgery. Robotic arms are important machines that help people work on Earth as well as in space.

In this activity, teams will design and build a robotic arm to perform some simple tasks.

Skills

Engineering, Design and Teamwork

Learning Objectives:

discover relationships between the length of a robotic arm and the level of difficulty to grab objects
investigate importance of hinges in arm function
collaborate in designing an arm
test various materials for grippers end effectors
compare and modify designs based on how well they meet performance criteria and constraints

Equipment

Robotic Arm:
- 96 popsicle sticks
- 24 erasers or sponge pieces
- 12 sets of chopsticks
- 12 pairs of tweezers
- 12 storage bins
- 12 ping-pong balls
- scissors
- cotter pins
- hole punch or awl (leather punch)
End effector:
- styrofoam or paper cups (2 per end effector)
- 12-cm pieces of string (3 per end effector)
- cellophane tape
- plastic picnic knives (serrated)
- straw or lollipop (1 per end effector)

Time

1 hour

Resource available in:

English, French, Spanish

Explore more Mission X activities!

La para-natation

Votre mission: Effectuer un parcours immergé dans l’eau en vous servant uniquement de vos bras pour préparer votre future sortie …

Liftoff Languages

Astronauts need brains and brawn! Using your coordination, endurance and quick thinking, perform five jumping jacks, with a star-jump finish, …

GMT127_19_13_Megan McArthur_1058_Cygnus Cargo Ops

Le para-cyclisme tandem

Votre mission: Terminez la course le plus rapidement possible grâce à votre esprit d’équipe. This resource was created by CNES, …

Astronaut Logbook: A week in the life of an astronaut with Samantha Cristoforetti

Your Mission: Follow Samantha’s routine on the ISS for one week and compare her daily tasks to yours. Observe your …

Base Station Boogie

You have just had a great day of exploring the Moon, but it’s time to head back to the base …

ERA_in_operation_attached_to_Russia_s_MLM_module

Space Robots

Your mission: Learn all about robotic arms on the ISS and design your own robotic arm This resource was created …

Le Goalball

Votre mission: Affinez vos sens pour marquer le plus de but et développer vos réflexes This resource was created by …

Astro Farmer

Your Mission: Investigate which factors affect plant growth, and relate these factors to growing plants in space. All the things …

Crew Strength Training

Your Mission: Perform body-weight squats and push-ups to develop upper and lower body strength in muscles and bones. Astronauts must …

26.2 with Tim

Your MissionAccumulate a total of 42 km (26.2 mi) as a team, an individual or as a family… it is …

Activity