DOODLING with ROBOTS
Learn about electricity by creating a doodling robot
AGES
7+
Facilitators can mix and match sections to suit the needs and time-restrictions of their classroom.
Artist Jess Weichler and programmer Seth Kenlon use computers and micro-controllers to sense
when a human is completing the circuit of a painting. You can create a simple circuit with a switch
using using wire, paperclips, and a battery.
Objectives
•
Build an electrical circuit
•
Test the conductivity of a variety of materials
•
Create a drawing robot using an electrical circuit
Vocabulary
Electrons - charged particles that move through materials to create electricity
Electric Circuit - a pathway on which electrons flow
Conductors - materials that make it easy for electricity to move
Insulators - materials that make it difficult for electricity to move
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License by Jess Weichler.
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1
DISCUSS
PREP
Prepare a simple circuit by connecting an LED or motor to a battery, with a switch made out of
paperclips in between. You can cut up an old strand of fairy lights for cheap LEDs.
Demonstrate the simple circuit. Turn it on and off so learners can observe.
What is happening?
Why do you think this works?
What questions do you have?
How is this similar to the interactive “Living Circuits” paintings we saw?
Electrons are tiny charged particles that move through materials to create electricity.
An electrical circuit is a pathway on which electrons flow. If a circuit is incomplete, the electrons
cannot continue along the path.
(For younger learners it may be helpful to suggest that a circuit is like a road that electricity travels
along.)
Circuits must have a power source to work, this is where the electrical energy comes from. Power
can come from a battery or wall socket.
Have you noticed batteries look different on each end? Why do you think this is?
Batteries have both a positive and negative side. Electrons exit the battery through the negative side,
travel through the circuit, then return to the battery through the positive side.
You can create a switch by temporarily breaking your circuit, then connecting it back together.
What was the switch for the paintings? A: The person touching the painting
What is the switch in our simple circuit? A: Paperclips
To create a circuit, you need a conductor. A conductor is any material that electricity can easily
travel through.
What objects might make good conductors?
A: Metals, graphite, aluminum foil, metal wire, etc
An insulator is any material that electricity cannot easily travel through.
What objects might make good insulators?
A: Rubber, wood, paper, plastic
Why do you think you had to take off your shoes before using the conductive umbrella?
What was the puddle made out off?
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License by Jess Weichler.
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2
EXPLORE
Students will work together in groups to test objects to determine which materials are conductors
and which are insulators.
Supplies
Per Group AA battery
AA battery holder
Motor or LED
3 Alligator clips
Various conductors and insulators to test
Conductivity worksheet
CAUTION: Do not touch positive and negative wires on the battery pack directly together.
This will overload the battery, causing it to heat up and possibly smoke. If a battery begins
to overheat disconnect wires and wait to cool before removing and disposing batteries
from holder.
Look at the objects with your group. Discuss whether you think and object is a conductor or an
insulator. Write down your predictions in the “Predictions” column on your conductivity
worksheet.
Test
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Connect one end of a black alligator clip to the black wire on the battery pack
Connect one end of a red alligator clip to the red wire on the battery pack
Connect the other end of the red alligator clip to the positive (long-side) of an LED
Connect a third alligator clip to the negative (short-size) of the LED
When you want to test an object connect it to the remaining ends of the black alligator clip
and the third alligator clip .
Note: Electricity doesn't care what colour the wire is, it's all the same wire inside. The colours black
and red are used so humans can tell which side is positive and which side is negative.
Report Back
Each group presents their findings to the class.
Were any results surprising? Why?
Do you think water would make a good conductor or insulator?
Would you make a good conductor? Why or why not?
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License by Jess Weichler.
To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
3
ACTIVITY
Use a simple circuit to create robots that draw.
Supplies
Per Learner AA battery
AA battery holder
Hobby motor
Cork
2 metal paper clips
Disposable cup
Classroom Supplies Markers
Masking tape or hot glue
White newsprint or parchment paper
PVA glue
Decorative craft materials (googly eyes, pipecleaners, coloured paper, etc)
Soldering irons (optional)
CAUTION: Do not touch positive and negative wires on the battery pack directly together.
This will overload the battery, causing it to heat up and possibly smoke. If a battery begins
to overheat disconnect wires and wait to cool before removing and disposing batteries
from holder.
Preparation
Line the workspace with newsprint or parchment paper before beginning
Artist Jess Weichler and programmer Seth Kenlon use computers and micro-controllers to sense
when a human is completing the circuit of a painting. You can create a simple circuit with a switch
using using wire, paperclips, and a battery to create a robot that makes art!
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License by Jess Weichler.
To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
4
1
Place a AA battery into the battery pack. Attach the battery pack to a plastic cup using
masking tape (or hot glue). The battery can go on the sides or top of the cup, encourage your
learners to choose their own location.
2
Stick a cork onto the top of the motor. Do not stick the cork the whole way down as this will
prevent your motor from turning. Place your motor on the top or side of your cup. Before
attaching ensure that your cork can freely spin without hitting the side of the cup. If the
motor does not spin or struggles to spin you may need to adjust your design.
3
Create a circuit: connect one motor wire directly to the red battery wire. Wires can be
twisted together then covered with tape or they can be soldered together. Take the remaining
motor wire and attach a metal paperclip to the end in the same way. Repeat with the black
battery wire. This is your switch.
4
Test your robot. Does it move when you touch the two paper clips together? If not, try to
figure out where you may have made a mistake. Be sure to check all your connections to
make sure that your circuit is complete. If you are still struggling, have a look at our
troubleshooting tips.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License by Jess Weichler.
To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
5
5
Add markers to the sides of your cup with masking tape. You can use as many markers as
you like, though it is best to have a minimum of at least three. Experiment by placing your
markers in different positions on your cup.
6
Decorate your robot! Make your robot stand out from the crowd and uniquely yours with
pipe cleaners, paper, and pom-poms. Don't forget the googly eyes!
7
Uncap the markers, place your robot on the parchment paper, and watch it go!
How Does It Work?
What happens when your circuit is broken?
What do you think makes the robot move?
A: The weight of the cork off-sets the robot's centre of gravity, creating vibration Observe
the robots in motion.
Do they all move in the same way? Hypothesize why they might move differently.
What variables could you change to affect the way your robot moves?
Troubleshooting Tips
Robot not moving?
•
Hair and wisps of hot glue can become stuck in motors, making it difficult for the motor to
spin.
•
Are all the connections metal touching metal? It is easy to break your circuit by attaching it
to the plastic part of a wire instead of the metal.
•
Is the cork too far down on the motor?
•
Is the cork touching the side of the cup or another object?
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License by Jess Weichler.
To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
6
DISCUSS
Watch “Data Awards Submission" by artist Adam Shreckhise
bit.ly/1T7hI2Y
Can a robot create art?
If a robot does create art who receives credit, the robot's creator or the robot itself? Why?
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License by Jess Weichler.
To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
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