Among Us Inspired Automata

This project is a STEM-based activity for high school or college students with prior knowledge of how simple machines function independently. It is also helpful if the student has knowledge of how to use lab equipment found in an engineering design class such as a table saw, laser cutter and drill press. By constructing an automata, students will be able to learn how cams, levers, linkages and the mechanics of movement function together. The completion of this mechanical sculpture will also show how simple machines can come together to create non-motorized movement.

STEL. In order to implement this tutorial in a classroom setting, we will be using Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy to gauge what students should know and be able to do in order to achieve a high level of technological and engineering literacy.

The basic structure we will use to measure this is by first establishing the core disciplinary standards which represent all broad areas of technological activity in our world. Then we will show the practices that can not only be applied to the core disciplinary standards and contexts, but these can be applied to many real world situations as well. Finally, we establish contexts that tie back into the core disciplinary standards by representing 8 specific technology content areas.

Core Disciplinary Standard. The core disciplinary standard that aligns with this activity is Standard 2: Core concepts of Technology and Engineering. We see this standard reflected in the activity as we create a system by using multiple simple machines together to make non motorized movement. This activity is also a process where we use different resources and sequence of steps to produce our final product.

As the teacher/professor it is important to use STEL-2H where you identify all of the resources needed to create this automata, including materials, tools, machines, time and knowledge.

Practices that are used in this activity include systems thinking; as we will be making separate simple machines function together to provide an output of up and down movement.

Making and doing; as we will be modeling, building and using scientific principles to create a physical, non motorized product.

Critical thinking; as students will use their logic, reasoning and prior knowledge of simple machines to generate movement with only the materials provided.

Context. The context that aligns with this activity is TEC-6: The Built Environment. We see this context reflected in this activity as students will design a wooden structure with components inside of it that also has to maintain its structure as it is interacted with. This is similar to real world structures such as building structures and students will understand that all structures have subsystems that have specific purposes. This activity also helps with spatial relationships, as students have to make sure things are scaled appropriately. Despite primarily being made of wood, students will notice that a different material would function a lot differently.

For this activity each student will need

Bass wood sheets

• Longest sides- 18cm x 10cm (x2) -- 1/8th inch drilled holes 5cm from the bottom
• Base- 9.9cm x 9.8cm
• Inner squares- 9.9cm x 9.2cm (x2) -- 0.9cm x 1.2cm cut in the center
• Front cover- 7cm x 10cm
• Back cover- 10cm x 10 cm

Balsa wood

• Large wheels 4cm in diameter (x2) -- 1/8th inch drilled holes, 1 hole in center, other hole near edge
• Large wheel 4cm in diameter -- 0.9cm x 1.2cm rectangle in center
• Small wheel 2.5cm in diameter -- 1/8th inch drilled in center

Additional materials + tools

• Dowel rod- 15cm, 1/8th inch diameter (x2)
• Flat rod- 12.5cm x 1cm
• Foam sheet
• Among us inspired character- 5.7cm x 4.3cm (provided)
• Wood glue
• Ruler
• Drill press or hand drill
• Table saw
• Laser cutter

Based on the materials purchased, three students could do this project for about $30, with majority cost being in buying the wood

All dimensions and drawn parts for the automata can be accessed through this google drive link numbered in parts1-11:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gc9_obpzO7PdRYqbSs5ck8peBmUeyC6T?usp=sharing

Using a drill press or a hand drill, drill the 18cm x 10cm pieces of bass wood with a 1/8th inch drill bit 5cm from the bottom.

Step1 needed parts and dimensions for automata can be accessed through this google drive link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xsx60fjJnn0Vrs2ySOjLfgkWiwneWzqw/view?usp=sharing

Glue your longest sides to the base with wood glue, and while that is drying head to the laser cutter to cut out the "wheels" for this activity. If you don't have access to a laser cutter, the balsa wood is soft enough to cut with an exacto knife, but you may have to sand the roughness down.

• Once you have your 4 wheels, the smallest one will have a 1/8th inch hole drilled into the center. Two of them will have a 1/8th inch hole drilled in the center, as well as another hole near the edge. And the fourth wheel should have the laser or hand cut rectangle in the middle.

Step 2 needed parts and dimensions for automata can be accessed through this google drive link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R-H2YlDL96V-KGHCOd6yrDXz4paoVXkk?usp=sharing

Here I have attached an svg that you will send to the laser cutter to cut out all of your wheels:

Use the wheel with two holes and add the wheel to the dowel rod by putting it though the hole closest to the edge. After centering it, add glue to keep it in place on the rod. Then add glue to the holes where the rod sits as well. Give it a minute or so to dry and then add the smallest wheel to the left. Then add the large wheel with two holes to the right side, leaving a bit of space. Add glue around the hole to keep it in place as well.

Step 3 needed parts and dimensions for automata can be accessed through this google drive link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1d8mmbtswD3Hff77XZUj9ajF733nNIVkQ?usp=sharing

After cutting out the two square shaped pieces, use the provided .svg file to laser cut the rectangles in the center with a laser cutter. Once both squares have been cut, glue sides of one of the inner squares and place about midway inside of the structure. Add pressure and let dry.

As that is drying, glue the flat rod into the wheel with the rectangular cut so that their edges meet and let dry (this will function as the wheel and axle).

Once one inner square has dried, gently move the wheel and axle into the rectangle of the inner square from the bottom and make sure the wheel sits onto of the cam. Then slide the second inner square in, add pressure and let dry as well.

Make sure the correct up and down movement is happening before continuing!

Step 4 needed parts and dimensions for automata can be accessed through this google drive link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hYEC2fUdsk4LR5SdveqJ2OnYBVSJrcfM?usp=sharing

Here I have attached an svg that you will send to the laser cutter to cut out all of your wheels:

• Since the among us inspired character was given in advance, you'll only need to glue this to the top of the axle/flat rod.
• Next you'll glue the back cover behind the character, making sure it covers the character. Do the same for the front cover as well

Step 5 needed parts and dimensions for automata can be accessed through this google drive link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CUYYJy5ZBUor_7GEPRKukMY8oHUT1yUG?usp=sharing

After cutting foam sheet out to the listed dimension, cut an internal square 6cm on three sides. Bend the fourth side back so the character can "pop out"

Step 6 needed parts and dimensions for automata can be accessed through this google drive link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1i9_-KCRQ4eqT04NjTVVIFFSSMZ8y3KEy?usp=sharing

Here you see a completed among us inspired automata! Feel free to choose a different character design for your class, as the construction steps will remain the same. If you want to, you could even adjust the time requirements and have the students design their own character!!