Overview
This is a great STEM project where students will build an Art Bot out of a disposable electric toothbrush. The Art Bot will draw and doodle on a piece of paper. They will learn about electric circuits and how to build a simple robot.
At a Glance
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Planning Ahead
Resources
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Preparation
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Instructional Plan
- Demonstrate the Art Bot.
- Show the students the list of materials.
- Describe the design
Here is diagram of how a motor works. One of the contacts is the side of the motor. It needs to be connected to one end of a battery. The other contact is at the base of the motor. It needs to be connected to the other end of the battery. When both ends are connected, then a closed circuit is made and the motor spins.
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You can introduce a switch to the design. A switch is an easy way to open and close a circuit.
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Art Bot Design
We are going to use the pieces of a disposable electric toothbrush to make the same circuit as above. The motor of the toothbrush is the part that makes the bristles vibrate. We'll also reuse the switch and the metal pieces that connects the battery to the switch. The only part we'll add to the design is a piece of wire to connect the motor to the battery (and of course the cup and markers).
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Helpful Project Tips
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Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Test your electric toothbrush (you may need to supply your own battery).
Step 3: Duct tape the AA Battery to the switch. Connect the negative end of the battery to the switch.
NOTE: make sure the battery is making contact with the switch. Step 4: Bend the tail end (opposite end from the switch) of the long metal piece away from the battery.
Step 5: Duct tape the motor to the tail end. Make sure the spinning side of the motor is away from the battery, so the contact on the bottom is facing the battery.
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Step 6: Take a 2 inch length of wire and strip both ends with a wire stripper.
Step 7: Test the unit by turning the unit on and touching one end of the wire to the positive side of the battery and the other end of the wire to the contact on the bottom of the motor. Make sure the motor spins before moving on.
NOTE: if it doesn't work, make sure the switch is turned on and test it again. |