Ladybug Vibrobot
ladybug
WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?
Use origami to fold a cute ladybug. Then add a small vibrating motor so that is skitters around. This is a really fun, easy variation on a vibrobot.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
Use origami to fold a cute ladybug. Then add a small vibrating motor so that is skitters around. This is a really fun, easy variation on a vibrobot.
STEPS
STEP 1
First Folds
Orient the paper so that it forms a diamond. Fold the bottom point to the top point and crease well. Fold the left point of the triangle to the right point and crease well. Unfold.
STEP 2
Fold the Wings
Fold the left point of the triangle up to the top point of the triangle. Repeat on the other side. Then take the left point and fold it downwards to the bottom point, angling slightly away from the center. Repeat with the right point.
STEP 3
Fold the Head
Fold the top point down towards the bottom point, but do not fold at the center. Instead, make the crease 1/4"-1/2" above center (6-12mm). Unfold. Fold the top point to the crease you just created. Fold the top again to the crease you created. Fold the top one final time along the crease.
STEP 4
Shape the Body
Fold back the left and right sides to create an oval shape. Then fold the left and right edges again to make the body less angular. Fold the tips of the wings under, if desired.
STEP 6
Add the Motor
Flip the ladybug. Remove the adhesive covering and stick the motor to the center of the ladybug. Put the motor as close the head as possible while ensuring that the wires can still reach the top of the bug.
STEP 7
Wire the Positive Lead
Gently lift the wings on the top of the ladybug. Pull the red lead of the motor to the top of the bug and gently fold it so that the exposed wire rests on the inside of the ladybug, a little to the left of center. Place a piece of maker tape on the inside of the body, horizontally across the center, taking care to catch the wire of the red lead under the tape.
STEP 8
Wire the Negative Lead
Gently pull the blue or black lead to the top of the ladybug. Using a piece of maker tape, attach the blue lead to the underside of the right wing. The tape should run as close to the outside edge of the wing as possible, all the way from the head to the tail.
STEP 9
Add the Battery
Slip the battery into the space between the body and the wings. Make sure the positive (smooth) side is facing down towards the body. Gently press the ladybug together. It should vibrate. Adjust the battery and the bug as needed for good contact, i.e. fold the wings down and use the tip folded under the body to adjust the negative lead. If desired use a loop of maker tape, folded so that the adhesive is facing out, to attach the battery to the inside of the body.
SEE IT IN ACTION
WHAT'S NEXT?
Check out the other light up origami projects and much more in The Big Book of Maker Camp Projects!
Materials:
- One sheet of red origami paper, red
- 3-volt coin battery (CR2032 or CR2025
- Maker Tape or ¼-inch copper tape with conductive adhesive
- 1 vibrating motor, DC 3V 10 mm coin style
- black permanent marker
- google eyes (optional)
- glue stick (optional)
Please Note
Your safety is your own responsibility, including proper use of equipment and safety gear, and determining whether you have adequate skill and experience. Power tools, electricity, and other resources used for these projects are dangerous, unless used properly and with adequate precautions, including safety gear and adult supervision. Some illustrative photos do not depict safety precautions or equipment, in order to show the project steps more clearly. Use of the instructions and suggestions found in Maker Camp is at your own risk. Make Community, LLC, disclaims all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense.
Maker Camp Project Standards
Based on NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)
National Core Arts Standards
The National Core Arts Standards are a process that guides educators in providing a unified quality arts education for students in Pre-K through high school. These standards provide goals for Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts with cross-cutting anchors in Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting through art. The Anchor Standards include:- Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
- Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
- Refine and complete artistic work.
- Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
- Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
- Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
- Perceive and analyze artistic work.
- Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
- Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
- Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
- Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards. Learn more.Forces and Motion
- 3-PS2-3. Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.
- HS-PS4-5. Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy.
National Core Arts Standards
The National Core Arts Standards are a process that guides educators in providing a unified quality arts education for students in Pre-K through high school. Also see Standards with cross-cutting anchors in Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting through art for Visual Arts.NGSS K-2 Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
- K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
- K-2-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.
NGSS 3-5.Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- 3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
- 3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
- 3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
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