The model building of today is the Walker. The students built a big cricket (a legged robot) to learn the basic knowledge of mechanical balance and friction. The legged robot is comprised of four legs with a wheel at each end, it can walk with different leg lengths. The walk motions are power by one electrical motor. The motor axis kinetics are transferred by a worm gear, and then to the legs. The STEM information behind this section is the basic mechanical mechanism and concepts including a worm gear, static friction and geometrical balance of machines. All students finished the model and conducted tests by changing the legs’ length to compare the walking speed and balance.
The students had a lot of fun after finishing the model building and lab tests. They used their robot as battle robots to compete with each other. Even though we are still trying to teach the students more STEM, it works better if we can teach them with fun.
