Video-Enhanced Activities in Technology
Episode: Robots to the Rescue!
SciGirls investigate programming a robot with human-like traits.
Izzie joins Abby and friends to give a rescue robot a personality makeover so it can do a better job when disaster strikes. The show underscores the collaborative nature of science as computer scientists, engineers and psychologists team up to design, build and test "rescue robots" to help disaster victims. Working with these scientists, the SciGirls learn and apply computer programming skills to enhance the interface between the robots and the people they are designed to help. The girls investigate the psychological effects of various robot behaviors, movements, and voices on volunteers. Then they apply mathematics skills to analyze their results. Finally, they use their data to recommend designs for an optimal "personality" for the rescue robot.
Episode Related Activity:
- Robot Body Language (8.54K PDF)
Additional Technology Activities:
- Passion for Pixels (792K PDF)
- Keep Out! (1.2M PDF)
Watch the full episode or select video clips.
Resource Documents
- Think, Plan, Build! Engineering/ Design Process (517K PDF)
- The SciGirls Seven: Strategies for Engaging Girls in STEM (876K PDF)
* You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to access these activities.
Visit PBS KIDS and PBS Parents to extend the learning with SciGirls.
