Automaton Classroom Pack

Create mechanical art with the automaton

Students build an automaton — a machine that seems to operate by itself — and learn about the mechanics that power it, including cams, followers, and wheels and axles. As students switch out the characters on top, they identify and predict patterns of motion caused by different cam shapes below. At the end, students design their own piece of mechanical art by synthesizing what they’ve learned about mechanics and motion.

Expect lots of discovery, tinkering . . . and an automa-ton of creativity!