Animal Inspired Scribble Bots
🔧 Scribble Bot Zoo: Build, Explore, and Animate Your Robot Creature!
🎥 Step 1: Observe & Wonder
Watch the video above
💡Think Like a Scientist:
As you watch, ask yourself:
Can a robot like this be considered “alive”?
Which characteristics of life (like movement or responsiveness) might your Scribble Bot show?
🧰 Step 2: Build Your Scribble Bot
🛠️ Gather Your Materials
Use the materials list provided.
🧪 Set Up Your Work Space
Clear a flat surface
Tape down a large sheet of white paper to capture your robot’s scribbles
🏗️ Build Instructions
Attach the Markers (Legs):
Use rubber bands to secure 3–4 markers evenly around the paper cup.Attach the Motor:
Position it so that its vibration causes the entire bot to wobble and move.Connect the Power:
Secure the battery pack and connect it to the motor. Use the switch to test the motor.Test & Adjust:
Turn your Scribble Bot on and place it on the white paper. Does it move? Does it draw?
➕ Adjust leg position or motor placement to improve balance or change the scribble pattern.
🐯 Step 3: Transform Your Bot!
🎨 Decorate Your Bot:
Turn your robot into a new creation using craft supplies like:
Pipe cleaners
Googly eyes
Feathers or felt
Foam sheets or construction paper
👉 Be creative! You could make a scribbling octopus, a giraffe on wheels, or a fluffy scribble-bird.
💡Engineering Challenge:
Can you design your robot to react to a stimulus? For example:
Change direction when it touches a wall
Stop moving when it hits an obstacle
Draw a specific kind of pattern by adjusting the legs or decorations
📸 Step 4: Share Your Creation
🎥 Record a short video of your Scribble Bot animal in action!
Make sure it shows:
Your themed decorations
The scribbling pattern
How it moves or responds
📲 Upload your video and photos using the link or QR code provided.
📝 Enter your first name(s) in the “Subject” area of the form
The Marshmallow Tower Inquiry Challenge 🗼
Welcome innovators! Today, your challenge is to work with your team to build the tallest possible freestanding tower that can support a single marshmallow on top. You’ll have to think like engineers—testing ideas, learning from what doesn’t work, and improving your designs.
Your Mission
Work in your small group to build the tallest freestanding structure that holds one standard marshmallow on the very top.
Materials
- 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti
- 1 yard of string
- 1 yard of masking tape
- 1 standard marshmallow
- A measuring tape
The Inquiry Process: Plan, Build, Reflect
Instead of giving you a blueprint, we want you to use your own brilliant minds to figure out the best way to build your tower. Use these questions to guide your team’s thinking process.
Phase 1: Brainstorm & Design (5 minutes)
- What are some initial ideas for the tower’s shape? Why do you think that shape might be strong?
- How can the spaghetti be used for both height and support?
- What is the best way to create a stable base for your tower?
- How might you use the tape and string to strengthen the structure?
Phase 2: Build & Test (18 minutes)
- As you build, what is working well with your design?
- What challenges are you facing? How can you solve them?
- Observe other teams. What interesting ideas do you see?
- Is your tower stable? If not, what changes can you make?
Phase 3: Final Touches & Measurement
- Ensure your marshmallow is on top before the time is up!
- A facilitator will measure the height of your tower from the tabletop to the top of the marshmallow.
Share Your Findings
After the challenge, be ready to share with the group:
- What was one thing your team did that worked really well?
- What was one “failure” that taught you something important?
- If you had more time, what would you do differently?
How did you do? Like a kindergartener or business school student?
Take a photo and post it below