Hummingbird robot theremin.

We just wrapped up our Hummingbird Robotics unit in our 8th grade Technology class, and I was so impressed by the wide variety of robotics structures and animatronic objects on display.  Our directions to our students were relatively minimal: after a brief introduction to the Hummingbird parts and programming interface, we told them to build something using 1 input and 2 outputs.  1 of their outputs had to be something other than an LED.  Students could use a wide variety of craft materials, and even design and print their own 3-D objects and encasements.  There was a lot of joy in the classroom as students experimented with materials and found the best way to make things move.  Getting a motor or servo to run for the first time based on sensor input resulted in a lot of surprising moments.  After I shared a theremin project with students (and explained what a theremin is) one of the teams chose to build a theremin using a distance sensor (see photo above).  They also designed and 3-d printed a special encasement for their project.

Crocodile hummingbird project.

Another team created a crocodile with snapping jaws, and yet another team built a hummingbird that slowly descended into a field of flowers and colorful lights (see below).  These are just three examples from so many projects that impressed me with their creativity, innovative use of materials, and original programming ideas.

Actual hummingbird project inspired by the hummingbird robotics kit!