Foundations of Robot Construction

This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of robot building, including the history and applications of robotics, selection and use of kits and parts, workspace organization, tools, safety, and basic electronics and mechanical systems. It provides foundational hands-on experiences that prepare learners for more advanced design, programming, and integration tasks in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze historical and contemporary uses of robots and relate those use cases to project requirements and design considerations for classroom robot builds
• Evaluate robot kits, construction sets, and component options by comparing cost, time, materials, and instructional goals to select appropriate resources for a given project
• Demonstrate safe and effective workspace setup and tool use, including proper soldering technique and anti-static procedures, while following established safety and organizational protocols
• Apply basic electronics and mechanical principles to assemble, test, and troubleshoot simple robot systems (motors, sensors, fasteners), and document diagnostic steps and outcomes