The Wild Robot: Code the Ecosystem
Which is more unnatural, a raccoon who learns to make a fire or a robot who learns to make friends?” This is the survival story of a robot who gets stranded in the wilderness.
Introduction
In this expedition, inspired by Peter Brown's "The Wild Robot," students will explore animal adaptation, robotic technology, and themes like friendship, sacrifice, and courage. The curriculum bridges technology and nature, highlighting their potential harmony.
Participants will study animal adaptations and learn coding and robotics to create nature-responsive robots. They'll read "The Wild Robot," analyzing how its narrative intertwines technology with survival and family dynamics.
By the end, students will understand biological and robotic systems, develop coding skills, and design projects that meld technology with natural processes, reflecting on ethical implications.
Essential Questions
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What is an ecosystem?
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What are the rules that are necessary to creating an orderly environment that is safe and productive?
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Why would organisms (similar/dissimilar help each other?)
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What is our impact on the environment?
Learning Objectives
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Showcase a basic applied understanding of ecosystems
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Showcase an applied understanding of trophic structures
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Showcase an applied understanding of evolution
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Showcase an applied understanding of adaptation
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Use coding as a vehicle for understanding and expression