March 13, 2017

Dollar Tree Art Robot Drawing Thingie

After seeing many posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram from this year's NAEA Conference in New York City....I had to try my own Art Robot Drawing Thingie! I believe it was a part of a STEAM workshop at the conference. I saw on one of the posts that they obtained all their materials from Dollar Tree.  Well, you don't have to twist my arm to go to Dollar Tree...I LOVE THAT PLACE!!!  

So here is what you need to purchase:  POOL NOODLE, ELECTRIC TOOTH BRUSH(they even include the battery!!), RUBBER BANDS, AND MARKERS.  I decorated mine...not necessary, but sure does add to the fun factor!!  

I originally cut the pool noodle the same length as the electric tooth brush.  I found that it did not want to move/vibrate as freely....so I cut it so that the bristle  part of the tooth brush was exposed.  I'm not sure if it was a weight issue...or maybe I just didn't have the tooth brush placed inside the noodle exactly right.  There is a lot of trial and error when creating these.  I rubber banded three markers onto the noodle.  I first used thin markers, but switched to the regular conical tip Crayola marker.  I'm guessing almost anything would work as long as you have strong tips on them.  The markers are the trickiest part of the whole thing.  You have to make sure they are as level as possible...but sometimes when they aren't..they pevot...and it goes around and around in circles! ha ha  I may add a 4th marker later to see how it will respond?!  That's what is so fun about this..so many combinations..trials...errors...successes.  



ART ROBOT GETS A FACELIFT...AND THICKER MARKERS

WHY???

Good question!  I think that it has many applications.  Engineering, Science, Prediction, and Aesthetics.  I really see this being a great discussion with my students about WHAT IS ART?  CAN SOMETHING WITHOUT A HEART?BRAIN MAKE ART? WHY/WHY NOT??    

This might be a project at this summer's ART WITH MR. E WORKSHOP!!!!

You can access the on and off switch under the hair!

Mine kept going around and around and around....
but I have gotten to work like a RUMBA and bounce off of things and head back in a different direction.








5 comments:

  1. So fun! If we have time, I may try this toward the end of the year. How many robot bodies can you get from one pool noodle? (Sounds like a joke line - haha!) I'm at Dollar Tree in my home town here in MN quite often, probably too often : )
    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I think you could get about 5 or 6 out of one noodle.

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  2. Bought the supplies to make these on my way home last night and had a blast with my 23 year old daughter figuring out how to make it work. I discovered that the color was better with the extra weight added with decorations. I loaded my toothbush opposite to yours. The on/off is at the bottom where the markers go. We camo'd the brush head with feathers and twistee wire curlee cues. Can't wait to do this project with the art club. The exploration is unlimited and Fun!

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  3. Love it! Can't wait to try this.

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