The Hydraulic Claw immersion allows students to explore the wonders of biomimicry as they create and test hydraulic claw designs based on traits found in nature.
This fun and engaging STEAM build introduces students to hydraulic power and how it has been used to design many things we use in our daily lives. Students take on roles as part of a research and design team, tasked with creating a mechanism to retrieve items for people with disabilities. At the end of the class, groups are challenged to use claw builds to retrieve various items from the floor!
Key topics include energy transfer, fluid mechanics, and biomimicry
This immersion focuses on the career clusters: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, Hospitality and Tourism, Health Science and Human Services, and Business and Finance.
Sign up for your classroom immersion experience today
*Please note: A K.12 email address is required to access the registration form.
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Hospitality and Tourism
Health Science and Human Services
Business and Finance
“I liked how the materials were provided and organized. I was able to prepare the students the day before with the PowerPoint presentation. The scenario was a real world example, so the students had a purpose for creating the hydraulic claws. I also like how extension lessons and activities are also provided to use after the experience. I can't think of any changes. My classes had a great experience.” - West Virginia teacher
Immersion Agenda
- Pique interest with a short introduction
- Examine high-interest examples of hydraulic power
- Briefly discuss relevant concepts
- Detail safety precautions
- Students work in groups using design thinking to build their hydraulic claw
- Groups test and adjust their claws
- Students reflect on their work
- Short whole group discussion recaps successes, difficulties, and unexpected events
- Connections to career clusters
- Possibilities for "What's Next?"