Recycle Robot

Recycle Robot lesson plan

What job could a robot do? What recycled items could you use? Invent a high-tech robot with classmates!

  • 1.

    Find out how items in your community are recycled. What items can be recycled? How is waste handled? Where do the recycled products go? How are recycled materials processed into new goods? List some of the most common items made with recycled products.

  • 2.

    Discover how robots and computers have changed the way people explore the ocean and space. For example, a robot named Jason helped locate the wreck of the Titanic on September 1, 1985. Interview friends and neighbors to find examples of robots in homes, transportation, and local industries. How do robots affect your everyday life?

  • 3.

    With a small group of your classmates, recycle items such as plastic containers, boxes, and other beautiful junk. Use Crayola® Model Magic to press these objects together to create a robot that has a specific use which you imagine. Think of creative uses!  Let the robot air-dry for at least 24 hours.

  • 4.

    Use Crayola School Glue to attach other recycled materials to make a space ship, home, vehicle, or another accessory for your robot.  Air-dry.

  • 5.

    Cover your art area with newspaper.  Paint your robot and any accessories with Crayola Washable Paint and Paint Brushes.  Air-dry all pieces.

  • 6.

    Glue on decorative craft items such as fake fur, yarn, or feathers.  Air-dry your art.

  • 7.

    Name your robot. Present it to the class, explain how it was made, tell why it is environmentally friendly, and describe the work it performs.

Benefits

  • Children identify recycling possibilities within their own community, and list ways that recycled items can be used to make creative new products and inventions.
  • Students research how robots and computers are useful in research, exploration, industry, and daily life.
  • Small groups work together to create a robot from recycled materials and give a brief oral presentation about it to classmates.

Adaptations

  • Use recycled objects as the base for a Model Magic sculpture. Cover the form with the modeling material. Embellish the base with new forms, textures, and features. Paint and title your work.
  • Engage in a community clean-up or recycling project. Collaborate with other groups to increase continuing participation in recycling programs.
  • Young children or those with learning challenges observe robots at work, either in the community or through electronic media. How are robots controlled? What design considerations are evident? How would you invent a robot to do the same function?