Interactive Primary Newsletter 26 "Don't talk to me about life" Quote by Marvin the Paranoid Android - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Introduction This Newsletter revisits control technology, this time at the request of a primary school teacher. We were asked to evaluate an inexpensive robot arm from a supplier of educational electrical and electronic components, CPC. In the past we have not been keen on robot arms, as they tended to be expensive and of limited use. However our enthusiasm may now be moving in their favour for work at 5-14, read on. Controlling devices, sensing and collecting data are all part of the guidelines in ICT, science and technology. For example: ICT. Controlling and Modelling - Main features of Strand (Guide for Teachers & Managers) Control Hardware - Knowledge of terms & uses - Input & output sensor/ devices (Levels A, B, C, D, E & F) Technology. Designing & Making a way of Exploring Space (Guide for Teachers & Managers) Processes & how they are applied - Developing ideas & creating solutions (Levels C & D) Science Target Menu Attainment Target Target Code Energy & Forces    Properties & Uses of Energy Analyse the functions of everyday electronics systems in terms of input and output conditions EF-F1.5 While there are many devices that could be used, a robot arm will no doubt be enjoyed by children as part of their space war and computer game fantasies. This particular robot arm can be used with the keyboard supplied or programmed, with the addition of software and an interface, to work from a computer. Children could view the arm as part of a life size robot, like C3-P0 from Star Wars. Can they think of a process where robots are used? Deep sea diving bells, nuclear power stations, space stations etc. Is an automatic washing machine a robot? Can robots be useful in a social context or take on human characteristics as in the film AI?   Perhaps clearing land mines, working in other hostile environments or stacking shelves in the supermarket. Could the class design a robot to help people with disabilities?                                         Picture © Warner Bros. Why Robot?