STEP 1
Prep your items
Gather your items together. Cut 2 of your straws in half.
STEP 2
Build your legs
Add the three full size straws to the ends of a 3-point Strawbies connector.
STEP 3
Add Strawbies
Add two 1-point Strawbies to each of the three legs.
STEP 4
Connect the legs
Connect each of the 3 legs together by connecting the single point Strawbies with one of the half straws you cut earlier. (You will be left with a half straw that you won’t need.)
STEP 5
Add the marker
Attach a marker to your last straw with a rubber band, then place the straw through the center hole of the Strawbies structure.
STEP 6
Add a band
Add a rubber band above the Strawbies structure to the straw holding the marker. This can be used to adjust the height of the marker so it comes in contact with the paper below.
STEP 7
Add a battery
Tape the leads of your pager motor to each side of a CR2032 battery. Since the motor will vibrate no matter how the power is connected, we don’t need to worry about the polarity of the battery.
STEP 8
Add the motor
Remove the sticky from the back of the pager motor and attach the motor to one of the single connector Strawbies.
Now you can place a piece of paper under the bot and remove the cap from the marker to see it jitter and draw.
WHAT'S NEXT?
What happens if you move the motor to other parts of the bot? How about adding more than one motor? Try attaching multiple pens to the legs of the structure instead of a center pen.
And hey! Find more projects in these downloadable Strawbees posters!
Please Note
Your safety is your own responsibility, including proper use of equipment and safety gear, and determining whether you have adequate skill and experience. Power tools, electricity, and other resources used for these projects are dangerous, unless used properly and with adequate precautions, including safety gear and adult supervision. Some illustrative photos do not depict safety precautions or equipment, in order to show the project steps more clearly. Use of the instructions and suggestions found in Maker Camp is at your own risk. Maker Media, Inc., disclaims all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense.
Mechanical Wonders
Strawbot
15 Minutes
TO COMPLETE
WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?
WHAT WILL YOU NEED?
- 6 plastic drinking straws
- 2 rubber bands
- Strawbies
- Marker
- Pager motor
- CR2032 battery
- Tape
- Scissors