Robotic Arm Control System, Grades 6-12 

In this session, participants will learn about levers and linkages, structures and mechanisms, hydraulic and pneumatic control systems, before synthesizing their knowledge and skills to create an articulating robotic arm as part of an engineering design challenge fusing core disciplinary ideas from Earth & Space science, Physical science and Engineering.  Learn how to upgrade this project-based learning activity to a problem-based iSTEM unit, as well as variations of the challenge that can be used to address different content areas and grade levels.  Whether you are constrained by a shoestring budget and restricted to cardboard donations, or you are seeking to integrate this challenge with your 3D printer and classroom laser cutter, this session will give you the first-hand experience you need to successfully facilitate the design challenge back in your own classroom, taking students through the practices of science and engineering, while providing an opportunity to assess bundles of performance expectations from NGSS.