Robot Rescue Curriculum Overview

During this 18-week 8th grade course, students will focus on the engineering design process and entrepreneurship, while using science and mathematics concepts in the context of applied problems. The course begins with a short design challenge in which students design and 3D print a cell-phone holder. Students then conduct experiments using a bio-inspired walking robot. The course ends with an open-ended challenge to design a rescue robot capable of navigating variable terrain. During the Robot Rescue challenges, students learn to use 3D CAD modeling software and 3D printing technologies. In addition, they explore math and science content, including modeling, data analysis, scientific procedure, friction, and systems thinking.