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Technology & Engineering Resources


In the Balance

Modeling a Walking Robot

How would you balance a moving object such as a human or a robot. These challenges help you better understand the difficulties of balancing oddly shaped moving objects.

Format Online
Grades 3 – 8
Author The Museum of Science
Source/Publisher Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination Exhibit
ISBN n/a
Shelving Location n/a
Location n/a
Website n/a

In the Balance

+ View Detailed Standard Connections

Primary Connections:

MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)

  • Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) > Position and Motion of Objects (Grade: K – 2)

Secondary Connections:

National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)

  • Physical Science > Motions and forces (Grade: 5 – 8)
  • Physical Science > Motions and forces (Grade: 9 – 12)

– View Concise Standard Connections

Primary Connections:

MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)

  • Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) > 05 Position and Motion of Objects (Grade: K – 2)
    Recognize that under some conditions, objects can be balanced.

Secondary Connections:

National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)

  • Physical Science > Motions and forces (Grade: 5 – 8)
    If more than one force acts on an object along a straight line, then the forces will reinforce or cancel one another, depending on their direction and magnitude. Unbalanced forces will cause changes in the speed or direction of an object's motion.
  • Physical Science > Motions and forces (Grade: 9 – 12)
    Objects change their motion only when a net force is applied. Laws of motion are used to calculate precisely the effects of forces on the motion of objects. The magnitude of the change in motion can be calculated using the relationship F = ma, which is independent of the nature of the force. Whenever one object exerts force on another, a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction is exerted on the first object.

In the Balance

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In the Balance

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In the Balance

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The TEC Review is funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Small Business Administration.

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The Museum of Science, Boston

  1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114  phone: 617-723-2500   email: information@mos.org