Grouping: Individual
Take-home: Cardboard robotic hand
Key ideas: Tendons, joints, tension, biomimicry, task-specific design.
Start with: Pull a string routed across paper 'joints' and observe curling.
Success check: Pick up assigned object such as cup, block, pom-pom, or marker.
Try changing: Finger length; straw spacing; string routing; grip surface.
Preparation: Pre-cut cardboard hands for speed or provide tracing jigs.
CNC preparation: Great CNC job: hand blanks and fold lines.
3D-print preparation: Optional fingertip/joint guides.
Lesson flow: Day 1: build
Day 2: troubleshoot + task test
Video:
Make a Robotic Hand with Straws
Safety and cleanup: Teacher helps with needle/string threading if used; trim sharp cardboard.
https://www.instructables.com/Robotic-Hand-Science-Project/
Extension activity if done
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/build-a-robot-hand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKvIygrPQvE