The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
STEAM - Automata
Automata Tinkering STEAM lesson
Melany Coates
5/26/24
Notes for teachers
Foamie sheets must be thick enough to work as a cam and cam follower. Could use cardboard or balsa wood type materials, but must be cut so edges are smooth
List of Materials for the automata construction
Notes for teachers
Additionally you will need materials to create the narrative on top of your constructed box. Any craft materials can be used, these are just suggestions.
List of Materials for the automata decoration
Science/Math Standards
U2: The knowledge produced by science is
used in engineering and technologies to
solve problems and/or create products.
Engineering Practices
Plan & Carry Out Investigations -
Engineers use investigations to gather data essential for specifying design criteria or parameters and to test their designs. Engineers must identify relevant variables,
decide how they will be measured, and collect data for analysis. Their investigations help them to identify how effective, efficient, and durable their designs may be
under a range of conditions.
6.NS.B.4- Use previous understanding of factors to find the greatest common factor and the least common multiple.
ELA Standards
SPEAKING AND LISTENING
Demonstrate collaborative discussion/listening skills in a variety of settings, both formal and informal
Develop respectful communication skills in order to clarify, extend and challenge information presented in a variety of contexts
Adapt and present information using technology, multimedia, and visual formats effectively for a variety of audiences and purposes
Objectives:
Today you will create A mechanical device/sculpture that seems to operate by itself, and mimics animal or human movements (but doesn’t necessarily have to) in a playful way.
Your mechanical device’s movements will utilize: cams, cam followers, levers and linkages
A mechanical device that seems to operate by itself. They often mimic animal or human movements (although not always).
Agenda (two day lesson - one 50 min period, second day 40-45 min)
What is an Automata
Inspiration to get you motivated
Key Terms
Brainstorm and Engineering an Automata
Share or present
What is an Automaton
What did you notice about how the dogs were turning? Was there a certain amount each dog turned, did they turn at the same time or different times? How many times did each dog turn before they “met” :)
A mechanical device that seems to operate by itself. They often mimic animal or human movements (although not always).
(Ah-taw-ma-tawn)
Incorporating Math Example
A Bit of Inspiration Before We Begin
Key Terms
Automaton: A mechanical device that seems to operate by itself. It’s what we’re building today!
Pattern of Motion: The repeated motion of an object, which can be used to predict a future motion.
Cam: The part of the automaton that transforms one kind of motion to another.
Axel: The rod or shaft that moves your cam
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Brainstorm before you Build
Think about the character and movement that you would like to create.
How will you create the mechanism to make your story come to life?
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Let’s set up our automaton frame!
In a nutshell, a box missing one side.
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Trying Different Cams
What do you notice about the patterns of motion?
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Decorating Your Narrative
Examples
Assessment
Test your cams
What type of pattern of movement did you create with the placement and shape of your cam on your axel?
Up and down, side to side, spinning?
Does your cam reflect the intended movement of your character?
Gallery Walk or Present
How do you notice other people's characters moving, what story does their mechanical device tell.
How did they get their characters to move that way?
Do their cams move their characters with a particular purpose?
Assessment/ Reflect & Modify
How do you notice other people's characters moving, what story does their mechanical device tell.
Do their cams move their characters with a particular purpose?
What sorts of revisions could you make that would make your automaton move the way your story is intended
Differentiation
Give students a hand out that considers sentence starters for reflections
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Have students focus on the math portion.
Least common multiple
Geometry, or whichever specific grade level standard you can incorporate.
Have students write a narrative for the gallery walk about their character and the pattern of movement they created.