Robo Head
Let's make an interactive machine that can fit a human's head and perform an interesting action. This activity guide introduces a robotic head made from cardboard that uses a pulley-styled wiper system to clean the screen, a robot-like task that human eyes can't do!
Learning Goals
- Understand concepts of pulleys, forces and weights and other mechanical and moving parts
- Use imaginative play to build things that interact with the human body and tell a story around it
Activity Resources
robo-head-activity-guide-english.pdf
robo-head-demo-video-english.mp4
robo-head-facilitation-guide-english.pdf
Materials Required
- Cardboard box
- Icecream sticks
- Fevicol
- Cloth piece
- Board pins
- Strong thread
- Thick transparent plastic sheet
Age Groups
This activity is suitable for ages 8 years & up.
Facilitation Tips
- Demonstrate the activity with help from the demo video and discuss with students:
- What is a robot? What do robots do?
- What material are the two blue-colored circles shown on the front of the mask made of? What is their role in the project?
- Where else have you seen a similar mechanism like the pulley-styled wipers before? Could you share how and why the wipers move the way they do?
- Depending on the grades students are in, you can discuss with them: what are pulleys, what are the different kinds of pulley systems, what are pulleys used for, etc.?
- Introduce the activity using the activity guide in a PDF format, demo video, and voice notes. Encourage participants to make their Robo head different from the one in the activity guide and try making it as interactive as possible.
- You can share some ideas for how they can make their machine interactive- you can put a fan on the top that rotates with the wind, a loudspeaker that amplifies your voice, or emits light.
- Ask participants to share their process of making the Robo head, what materials they used, and how they can interact with it.
- Inspire participants by sharing real-life examples from around us, work of local and international artists working on creating mechanisms from cardboard and household materials
Note: Browse through the following resource on the topic of pulleys.
Browse through the facilitator guide for tips and tricks to engage participants in maker activities in a virtual or physical learning space.
Inspiring Artists
Jorvon “Odd Jayy” Moss is a self-taught tinkerer from Los Angeles, USA. He develops small robots that interact with your body, sit on your shoulders and head. To see more of Odd Jay’s creations, click here.