Robotic Art

The Robotic Art series introduces students to the creative side of robotics, where mechanics and code are used to design moving works of art. Each lesson highlights how technology can imitate or enhance artistic creations. Students not only build functional machines, but also learn how to program them to perform movements, play music, or animate images.
Teachers can use these projects to show that robotics goes beyond pure engineering — it is also a tool for creativity, storytelling, and expression. Along the way, students strengthen their programming skills, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the crossovers between STEAM disciplines.
Lessons available in the Teacher and School plans.
  • extensive introduction illustrated with graphics and animations,
  • detailed instructions for building robots,
  • downloadable ready-to-use templates for laser cutter,
  • detailed instructions on how to design 3D elements for 3D printing,
  • step-by-step programming guide,
  • useful cross-sections of the construction,
  • access to additional teaching resources.

Lesson plans

MUSIC BOX PYTHON
Create a music box robot! Program it to play tunes and explore the connection between sound and code.

Robot designed for: LEGO® Education SPIKE Prime (#45678) and SPIKE programming app: Python.
BUTTERFLY
Create a robotic butterfly with laser-cut wings! Watch it flutter as you program its movement and explore the beauty of robotics.

Robot designed for: LEGO® Education SPIKE Prime (#45678), SPIKE programming app, xTool laser cutter and software.
MOVIE PROJECTOR
Build and program this projector model to see how the stroboscopic effect creates an illusion of smooth motion.

Robot designed for: LEGO® Education SPIKE Prime (#45678) and SPIKE programming app.
FLYER
Create an owl model with laser-cut wood and strings. Use a crank mechanism to bring it to life and see how it flies.

Robot designed for: Makeblock mBot 2, mBlock programming app, xTool laser cutter and software.
ZOETROPE
Build a zoetrope to create moving pictures from static images. Watch animations come to life through slits!

Robot designed for: Makeblock mBot 2, mBlock programming app, xTool laser cutter and software.
KINETIC SCULPTURE
Create a sound-responsive kinetic sculpture with petal patterns. Clap your hands to see it move beautifully.

Robot designed for: LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential (#45345), SPIKE programming app, xTool laser cutter and software.
MUSIC BOX
Create a music box robot! Program it to play tunes and explore the connection between sound and code.

Robot designed for: LEGO® Education SPIKE Prime (#45678) and SPIKE programming app: Word Blocks.
BUTTERFLY 3D TINKERCAD
3D design and printing will help you spread your wings, literally! Design and 3D print mesmerizing wings for this robotic butterfly. Find out how to change the filament color during the printing process for more colorful results.

Robot designed for: LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime (#45678), Autodesk Tinkercad, and a 3D printer.
GOLDEN RATIO 3D BLENDER
Art, architecture, even nature make use of the mysterious "golden ratio". Find out what this mathematical enigma means and use its principles to design a three-dimensional object in Python. Yes, you can to create 3D objects by writing code!

Robot designed for: LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime (#45678), Blender 3.0, and a 3D printer.
BUTTERFLY 3D FUSION 360
Use your imagination to design the most beautiful wings for this robotic butterfly. Try changing the filament color when the wings are being 3D printed for even more interesting results. Build and program a colorful robotic butterfly!

Robot designed for: LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime (#45678), Autodesk Fusion 360, and a 3D printer.
BUTTERFLY
Look upon the beauty of nature and spread your wings. Select one of the most beautiful butterfly species, then print and color its paper wings, so that you can finally bring this robotic specimen to life.

Robot designed for: LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime (#45678) and SPIKE programming app.
MUSIC BOX
Make (sound)waves on stage with this unique robotic composer. Find out how technology made rock'n'roll and how to write a program that turns colors into sounds. Line colorful bricks and play that funky music!

Robot designed for: LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime (#45678) and SPIKE programming app.