In the 3-part Junk Drawer Robotics curriculum, youth are challenged to build robots from everyday items. None of the levels requires or uses computers. There are Facilitator Guides for three levels. Youth use a Robotics Notebook to record their learning experiences, robotic designs, and data from their investigations. One facilitator guide is needed per group, and each youth should have their own notebook.

Audience: Grades 4-12

• Level 1 – Give Robots a Hand—Youth explore and learn about robot arms. Concepts covered include pneumatics, arm designs, and three-dimensional space. Big ideas include form and function, scientific habits of mind, and engineering design.
• Level 2 – Robots on the Move—Youth learn about locomotion through exploring, designing, and building mobile robot ROVs and other subsystems. Youth learn about friction, electronic circuits, mobile robots, simple machines, and buoyancy.
• Level 3 – Mechatronics—Youth will explore sensors and analog and digital systems. The track introduces simple electronic components; youth will build basic circuits to see how the components work. They will investigate basic elements of programming and instructions for robotic computer control.