Junkbots

During National Science and Engineering Week 2013, as part of the activities provided by the University of Northampton, the Junkbots project returned as part of programme of activities to South End Primary School, Rushden, northamptonshire, UK.  National Science and Engineering Week is annual event celebrating science and engineering activities ( http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/national-science-engineering-week ) Last year during the same week Junkbots also formed part of the activities (see  http://junkbots.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/junkbots-goes-south.html ). This time we worked with two classes - a year 2 and a year 5 class; building the drawing junkbot. Examples of previous drawing junkbots are shown above. Approximately 50 children took part across the two 45 minute activities. Essentially  a drawing junkbot is based around a drinks can that: - draw patterns without anyone touching it; -carried the battery pack or not depends on the age of...

This week the junkbots idea were taken to South End Infant School, Rushden, Northamptonshire as part of their Science week....and it was good fun for me as well.  In three groups they played with: - The hovercraft idea that Hayley developed ( http://junkbots-hayleystevenson.blogspot.com/2011/08/hovercraft-do-i-need-motor.html ). Basically a balloon, CD and a sports bottle top, that floats across a table. - The basic junkbot - A drinks can, two markers, broken propeller, a motor and battery pack, - The new junkbot takes basic the junkbot and rearranges so it stands on the pen tips. Now add a third pen and we have a less elegant Picassobot . Start it up on some paper and (hopefully) watch it wriggle and draw. All this in one hour!