Tab Content
Tab Title
Design
Tab Content

Instructor directions are listed below

  1. Design: Explain to students that a design is a plan or drawing used to show how something will look and function. Show students what materials are available for them to use in the construction of their wearable
    • Remind students of the possible motions for each Servo and the LED features and how those could be incorporated into their design. For example, explain that a standard Servo could be used to make a hand-waving motion and a continuous Servo could be used to make a car move around a track.
    • Give students guidelines for what should be incorporated into their wearable. At the Thinkabit Lab, students typically use an LED and 2 Servos (they can both be the same type, continuous or standard, or different types). However, different guidelines can be required of students based on the supplies which are available or on differing desired outcomes. Regardless, be sure that students know they need to incorporate the Servos they have selected into the design of their wearable.
  2. Design share: Allow each group to share their idea and what objects on their wearable will be moving. This exercise allows students to hear how their peers are deciding which Servos will be used for different actions. It also allows them to hear other design ideas. Prompt students with the following questions:
    • What is the problem you are trying to solve?
    • What is moving on your wearable?
    • What Servos do you need to make those movements happen?
Tab Title
Implementation
Tab Content

At the Thinkabit Lab, allowing students ample time to work with team members through the engineering design process is critical. We stress the importance of making a design before building something. Encourage students to be sure that all team members contribute to the design of their wearable.

Previously at the Thinkabit Lab, we constructed automated hats with students. If your students want to create an automated hat, the designs below have worked well. Likewise, you could have students design their own hats or create other wearables besides hats.

Automated Hat Base Construction
A. Foam Board/Core hat:
1. Follow this PDF for step-by-step directions and videos
2. Guided Video: https://vimeo.com/278198853 (below)

 

B. “Top Hat” Hat Construction:
1. Follow this PDF for step-by-step directions

C. Baseball Cap Hat Construction:
1. Follow this PDF for step-by-step directions

Instruction Category