I am writing you to update you on my “Arts and Bots” experience with my 8th grade art class. It was so helpful that I attended the “Educational Robotics for the Classroom” course at CMU last summer, I was able to describe my experience with my students as well as having my Ringo “Beatlebot” that I built in that class, there for my students to see as I demonstrated how the robot works . My class began the robotics project late April through the month of May 2012 until the last day of school. There were nine students, seven boys and two girls in my class. I began my introduction to robotics by defining what a robot was and the many purposes of a robot. I explained that being in an art class we would focus on a robot used for an entertainment purpose. I explained what components were included in the “robot kit” provided by CMU, including the “Hummingbird” circuit board. I also explained that the students would be using the “Visual Programmer” software to communicate the expressions and sequences used with their robot.
I instructed the students to create a robot that can make simple movements and the robot should be based on a familiar personality from popular culture. I offered the idea that my robot “Ringo” would love a reunion with his Beatle friends, Paul, George, and John and wondered if any of my students would create a new “Beatlebot”, my 12-week theme was “The Magical Mystery Tour” after all! But no such luck, my students interests focused on famous athletes in football, hockey, and basketball. Two students Mikey and Alec went with the entertainer/radio personality Howard Stern and the musician Bob Marley. Mikey enjoyed making his Howard Stern robot so much that he requested to borrow a robot kit to create new robots with over the summer. He will update me soon on what he’s accomplished. The two girls in my class created interesting robots with Carolyn making an “Oscar the Grouch” robot and Hannah recreating herself as a girls volleyball player on the South Fayette MS team. The students began by problem solving like they would in a math and/or science class. What could they create and how would it move? This planning stage took several classes and several more when the students began to build their robots. We used materials similar to the materials used in the CMU class. Foam core, exacto knives, and glue guns were used the most! What I discovered was that adults can make robots much faster than 8th grade students! The students really took their time to make the best robot they could. The students worked well alone and collaboratively, making good use of the limited time they had. I found that the technological component (the programming activity on the computer) went faster for the students and they seemed experienced with the computers and were comfortable with that aspect of our project.
Most of students created robots they were proud of. Some students didn’t have the chance to finish everything. This project thrives with a small group of students as well as a lot of time for the creativity and ingenuity to flourish.But everyone learned something. I learned that it is possible to combine art and science and create robots in the art classroom. It was a good experience and I thank you Clara and everyone at CMU for helping me and supporting me as I left my “comfort zone” to try something new!
Diane Lally
Visual Arts Teacher
National Junior Art Honor Society Sponsor
South Fayette Middle School
