SHS1 Robotics · Semester 2 Week 10: Robot Construction

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 1.3.2.LI.1 - Describe the effect of mass and centre of gravity on the stability of a structure or robot and strategies for designing systems that can withstand forces.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Define mass and centre of gravity and explain how each affects the stability of a structure or robot.
Predict whether a given structure or robot design will be stable or unstable based on the position of its centre of gravity and the size of its base of support.
Explain at least three strategies (lowering the centre of gravity, widening the base, and distributing mass) for designing stable robots and structures that withstand forces.
Calculate the centre of gravity of a simple system of two or three objects given their masses and positions.
Justify design choices for making a robot stable, using examples from everyday life and simple robotic constructions.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Robot Construction and Programming (Strand 3)
Sub-strand: Robot Construction (3.2)
Content standard: 1.3.2.CS.1 - 1.3.2.CS.1 Demonstrate a general understanding of rigid bodies and design processes for stable structures. 1.3.2.LO.1 Appraise the effects of mass and centre of gravity in designing structures that withstand forces.
Indicator: 1.3.2.LI.1 - Describe the effect of mass and centre of gravity on the stability of a structure or robot and strategies for designing systems that can withstand forces.
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 10 (Week 30 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Source document note: The official curriculum document has a fault in this entry, so the curriculum text above is transcribed exactly as printed:

strand name - printed with an ampersand in this year and spelled out in Year 2 and in the scope and sequence; renamed to the scope form. Printed form: Robot Construction & Programming
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 63

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Building on What Others Say: Build on students' previous knowledge in physics and life experiences to discuss how stability can be achieved in building robots. Also, the relationships between the linear momentum of a system and the forces acting on it should be discussed.

Talk for Learning: Start a discussion to help learners identify the position/velocity/acceleration of the centre of mass for a system of objects given their masses and positions/velocities/accelerations.

Assessment (1.3.2.AS.1). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 1 Recall; Level 3 Strategic reasoning; Level 4 Extended critical thinking and reasoning.

Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Online Resources
- Textbooks
- Videos
- Flowcharts
- Local Materials
- Robotic Kits
- Pliers
- Glue guns
- Screwdrivers
- Power drills