Current Project
Developing NGSS Aligned Curriculum: Using Tensegrity Robots to Understand the Conservation of Energy
Research Focus: How can tensegrity robots be used to transform the way students think about energy and energy conservation?
Currently I am studying how students interact with tensegrity robots to determine how to utilize the use of tensegrity robots within the curriculum focusing on energy and energy conservation. Modifications to the curriculum will be informed by feedback from video analysis of students working with the tensegrity robots and interviews.
Motivation: With the adoption and implementation of NGSS among most states, schools are in need of curriculum that is aligned with the new science standards. Both technology and engineering design are becoming integral parts of the K-12 education, as evidenced by the inclusion of the Engineering, Technology and Applications of Science (ETS) standards alongside the more common life sciences, earth sciences, physical science and earth and space systems standards in the Next Generation Science Standards. Engineering design has also taken a prominent role in NGSS through the Science and Engineering Practices dimension of the NGSS framework.
Project: The scope of this project focuses on a proof-of-concept design challenge utilizing tensegrity robots targeting NGSS High School Physical Sciences Performance Expectation HS-PS2-3: Apply scientific and engineering ideas to design, evaluate, and refine a device that minimizes the force on a macroscopic object during a collision utilizing tensegrity robots.
What is a tensegrity robot?
Tensegrity robots, often called soft robots, are flexible, shape-shifting robots. The rods of the tensegrity robot are held together in tension; altering the tension in the rod(s) causes the robot to move.