Create a tall tower crane using a truss structure made out of beams. Control the movement of lifting up and down light load-bearing structures with the power of radio-controlled micro:bits.

Please note this resource was tailored for US schools and may require adjustments to suit UK schools.

🇬🇧 Teacher Notes

Overview and Objectives

Materials

Preparation

Create joints and attach straws to make tower segments for standing

Combine tower segments

Make a tall, open tower connecting all segments

Make the beams and joints for the tower’s base

Connect the beams and joints to complete the tower’s base

Assemble the base to the tower’s bottom to complete

Make support beams

Click a side of the support beams to joints

Pull support beams and click the other side to remaining joints

Connecting the tower sides to close the structure

Remove 8 blue straws from the tower’s top

Start building the crane’s top by making a segment

Create more joints and connect straws for segments of crane’s top

Create a small segment

Connect the sediments to become long crane top

Create beams and joints then connect to become a zigzag structure

Click the zigzag structure to the crane’s top

Complete the crane top

With the zigzag facing down, lift the crane’s top and attach to tower

Make part of the mechanical linkage for the servo motor

Lock the other side of the linkage with connectors

Create beams and attach

Attach the mechanical linkage to the crane’s top

Assemble the micro:bit, clip, and servo motor with extension cord

Connect to computer using USB cable

Start a new project on Makecode

Add Strawbees extension

Pair the micro:bit

Turn on the Robotics board

Program the micro:bit to receive data

Adjust the position of the servo arm

Build rectangles for a prism wearable

Complete prism, assemble a second micro:bit, then attach to the wearable

Connect to second micro:bit to computer using USB cable

Start a second new program

Add Strawbees extention

Pair the second micro:bit

Program the second micro:bit to send radio data to the micro:bit on crane

Put on the wearable and test the truss crane's movement

Build

STEAM Classroom Robotics - micro:bit

United States

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

NGSS

3-5-ETS1-1

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

3-5-ETS1-2

Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

3-5-ETS1-3

Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

MS-ETS1-1

Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

MS-ETS1-2

Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

MS-ETS1-3

Geometry

Build a Large Truss Crane (micro:bit)