Bristlebot Adaptation Lesson - Minilab introduction

Bristlebots

Adaptations and habitats through a robot minilab

Habitats

Examples:

Forest, Desert, Grassland, Tundra

You will work with your assigned group to design the appropriate habitat for your Bristlebot.

Habitat = A habitat is the natural home or environment of a plant, animal, or other organism.

Bristlebot minilab

Forest

Key features: trees including fallen leaves, ground vegetation like shrubs and ferns, high level of rainfall

Bristlebot minilab

Desert

Key features: sand, sand dunes, rocky outcroppings, cacti or similar vegetation, hot and dry climate

Bristlebot minilab

Grassland

Key features: large expanses of grass like a taller prairie grass, few trees, seasonal changes with some rainfall and varying sunlight

Bristlebot minilab

Tundra

Key features: limited vegetation, cold (artic) climate

Bristlebot minilab

Habitat considerations

You need to consider:

• the space you have to work with

• the materials

• elements you would include to show what habitat you are using

  • you can build trees, for example, with recyclables/paper

Science

Bristlebot minilab

Your bristlebot should have adaptations to work in your particular habitat, so make sure you can test the way it will function in/navigate the habitat...does it need to climb? Move straight? Spin?

Procedure

Watch a demonstration on steps to build a bristlebot

• watch the teachers build a bristlebot

Sort out your pieces on the tray, follow along to build your own bristlebot

• complete each step along with the teachers to build your own bot

Brainstorm with your group about your assigned habitat

• create elements (like trees, for example) out of recyclable materials or paper cut outs to place in your habitat

Test your bristlebot in the habitat regularly and re-design/adjust habitat/bristlebot

• note adaptations for the bristlebot to share

SHARE YOUR HABITAT DESIGN AND RUN YOUR BRISTLEBOTS FOR THE CLASS!

Science

Bristlebot minilab