Mechanical Grabber

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In this engineering activity, challenge learners to make a "grabber" that can pick up trash. Learners use simple materials to create pinchers that can grab small items. Learners can experiment by creating other designs like tongs. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per student
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 11
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • wire clothes hanger (Use the type with a cardboard tube attached to open-ended wire.)
  • string
  • rubber bands
  • PVC plastic pipe (1 inch in diameter and 3 feet long)
  • wooden dowel (1/4 inch in diameter and at least 3 feet long)
  • duct tape

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Mechanical Engineering
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Machines
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Invention and Innovation
      • Problem Solving
      • Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Uses STEM to solve real-world problems
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, WGBH Educational Foundation, 2005

Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation, 0337323
  • Corporation for Public Broadcasting
  • The Weezie Foundation
  • PBS