Design astro socks to protect astronauts’ feet in microgravity

Time to complete Lesson

Six 50-minute class periods

Allow for an additional 1-2 weeks to complete an entire hand

Learning objectives 

• Students build and calibrate a working robotic hand and sensor glove using instructions.
• Students develop design solutions for improving the performance of their robotic hand using sensor data visualized with  digital tools.

Part 1: Prior knowledge and vocabulary

• Students are introduced to the context of the lesson which places them in the role of engineers designing a robotic hand that can be controlled by a wearable sensor glove. Students answer questions related to the lesson learning objectives as a pre-assessment.  Students are also introduced to the project’s working vocabulary.

Part 2: Analog data

• Students research and draw the bones of the human hand and study the movement of their own hands. Using this information, each student builds and calibrates a robotic finger from a milkshake straw. Students then engage in a design challenge to strengthen the joints of their robotic fingers.

Part 3: Digital data

• Each student builds a wearable flex sensor from cardboard, copper tape, and conductive plastic that attaches to their finger. Students then equip their robotic finger with a servo motor. Students complete the electronics component allowing them to connect their sensor and control their finger. Students use a live data visualization on Excel and study digital and analog biofeedback from their own finger’s movement.

Part 4: Reflection

• Students finalize any unfinished components of the student journal. Students complete and discuss the reflection questions in the Student Journal.

Relevance. Data Science is one of the fastest growing professions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Every industry needs data analytics – including business in all sectors, healthcare, education, and every form of social programming. Inspiring the advancement of NextGen’s data analytics skills is to stimulate reasoning, discourse, and decision-making, ultimately creating a smarter world for us all.

Equity for All. Multimodal, dynamic, scaffolded instructions support learners at multiple readiness levels and from diverse backgrounds.

Accessibility. Designed to open doors to student participation in the data science revolution, these lessons are supported on any internet-enabled device. Use a larger screen (laptop or desktop) for the best experience.

Aligned to Standards. All activities are aligned to key Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards, and Computer Science Teacher Association Standards (CSTA) standards.

•  The concepts and materials in this lesson provide opportunities to engage your students in the engineer’s design process and testing of ideas using the scientific method.
• Use the templates located on the dropdown menu of the Science and Engineering page in the Student Section to guide your students through these practices.
• There are ideas to get you started written on the templates. Students are also encouraged to generate their own ideas.

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