Stem Learning Activities for elementary students

Activity 1: Clear the Structure

Activity Description

Students become familiar with the Virtual Robotics Toolkit by using the keyboard to control and drive a virtual robot to clear a structure from a platform.

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

  • Mathematics – Measurement
  • Science & Technology – Structures & Mechanisms

Activity 2: Customize the Robot

Activity Description

Students add and experiment with different attachments to better accomplish the task of knocking down the structure and clearing the “debris” from the platform

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

  • Mathematics – Data Management
  • Science & Technology – Structures & Mechanisms

Activity Links

Customize the Robot

Activity #3 Experiment with the Structure

Activity Description

Students will evaluate the structure for weakness and experiment with changes to the structure to improve its strength and stability

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

  • Mathematics – Data Management
  • Science & Technology – Structures & Mechanisms

Activity #4 Design Constraints

Activity Description

Students will evaluate the structure for weakness and experiment with changes to the structure to improve its strength and stability

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

  • Mathematics – Number Sense & Numeration
  • Science & Technology – Structures & Mechanisms

Activity Links

Design Constraints

Activity #5 Taste the Rainbow

Activity Description

Students will evaluate the structure for weakness and experiment with changes to the structure to improve its strength and stability

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

  • Mathematics – Number Sense & Numeration
  • Science & Technology – Structures & Mechanisms

Activity Links

Taste the Rainbow

Activity #6 Have a Heart

Activity Description

Use the robot to simulate the way in which oxygenated and deoxygenated blood travels throughout the circulatory system

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

  • Mathematics – Measurement
  • Mathematics – Number Sense & Numeration
  • Science & Technology – Life Systems

Activity Links

Have a Heart

Activity #7 Shape Up!

Activity Description

Use the robot to draw a variety of polygons, measure the side lengths and interior angles and use this information to calculate the perimeter, area and sum of the interior angles.

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

  • Mathematics – Measurement

Activity Links

Shape Up!

Activity #8 The Race is on

Activity Description

Measure the time taken for the robots to race across the floor and use this information to determine the speed of the robot

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

  • Mathematics – Measurement
  • Mathematics – Number Sense & Numeration
  • Mathematics – Data Management & Probability

Activity Links

The Race is On

Activity #9 Take a Chance

Activity Description

Learn about probability while cleaning up as many LEGO pieces as possible from the floor so that no one steps on them. Ouch!

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

  • Mathematics – Data Management & Probability

Activity Links

Take a Chance

Activity #10 Robot Vacuum

Activity Description

Investigate the most optimal route that your robot should take to clean up all of the LEGO pieces from the floor as fast as possible.

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

  • Mathematics – Measurement
    Mathematics – Geometry & Spatial Sense

Activity Links

Robot Vacuum