How to make a moving spider

Resource

How to make a moving spider

Resource Information

Abstract

With paperclips and a motor, you can make a spider that moves on its own.
This activity can be developed individually by learners or as a pair activity (2 learners) that shall be focused on the positive use of a battery, a motor, paperclips, and handicraft.

A spider (not moving)

Learning Outcomes

The learners will learn how to use different materials to make a moving spider.

Skills and competences

The learners can develop following skills and competences:

Handicraft
Problem solving
Teamwork
Motivation
Do-it-yourself (DIY)
Process management
Analysation
Creativity
Initiative
Planning and organising

Knowledge

The following knowledge can be gathered by the learners:

How to be creative
How to work with hands
How to understand simple electronics

Other Instructions

Cut 2 pieces of cardboard with approx. dimensions of 2 x 5 cm.

Bend the paperclips into the legs of the spider.

Using hot glue, connect the legs to one piece of cardboard.
Using hot glue, connect the other cardboard piece, so that the legs are sandwiched between the two cardboard pieces.

In this activity, the spinning direction of the motor’s shaft does not matter.
You will be making the schematic shown on the left.
You can read about schematics here (http://electronicsclub.info/seriesparallel.htm) and about symbols here (http://electronicsclub.info/circuitsymbols.htm).
The symbols in our schematic are wire, switch, battery, and motor.
The components are connected in series.

Connect the positive cable of the battery connector to one lead of the motor.
Connect the negative cable of the battery connector to one lead of the switch.
Using side cutters, cut approx. a 5 cm long piece of cable.

Using wire strippers, remove approx. 1 cm of isolation from both ends of the cable.
Use the wire to connect the remaining leads on the motor and switch.
Cover all connections on the motor and switch with electrical tape.
Test if the motor’s shaft starts spinning when the switch is turned on and nothing spins when the switch is turned off. If the motor’s shaft does not start spinning, check the connections of the cables.

Using hot glue, connect the battery to the bottom of the spider.

Using hot glue, connect the motor and switch to the top of the spider.

If the paperclips are not strong enough to hold the spider up, you might need to bend the legs and use hot glue to keep them in place.

Attach the small piece of hose onto the shaft of the motor.

URL

RESOURCES

Author

Martin Maidla

Language

English

Main Topics

Keywords

battery diy motor recycled materials