Experiment: Scribble 'Bot
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Materials
Pool noodle
Battery-powered toothbrush
Batteries
Scissors or utility knife
Markers
Rubber bands
Tape
Paper
Craft supplies like pipe cleaners, construction paper, googly eyes, feathers, etc.
Instructions
- Cut a piece of pool noodle that’s a bit longer than the battery-powered toothbrush.
- Insert the toothbrush into the middle of the pool noodle. Make sure you can reach the on/off switch. This is the body of your scribble ‘bot.
- Make the legs by attaching several markers to one end of the pool noodle with rubber bands. The markers should point outward and extend past the pool noodle body.
- Personalize your scribble ‘bot by using craft supplies to give it hands, a face, hair, clothing — be creative! Attach arms by making small slits on the sides of the pool noodle and inserting bent pipe cleaners.
- Put some paper down on the table and uncap the markers.
- Turn on the toothbrush and set the scribble ‘bot on the paper. You may need to adjust the marker “legs” if it’s unbalanced. Watch it go, and see what designs it makes.
What’s Happening?
The scribble ‘bot is a type of bristlebot, which is a simple robot easily built with a brush and other household items. The vibration of the toothbrush causes the pool noodle to move. This energy of motion is called kinetic energy.