Year 9 STEM Β· 8 Week Project Guide

Robotic Fingers Student Guide

Track lessons, benchmarks and evidence. Copy the scaffold into the Student Evidence App and complete it as you go.

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Project Goal

Design, digitally manufacture, assemble and program a robotic finger system that can press switches and create music. Your folio must show research, CAD modelling, manufacturing evidence, servo control, Makey Makey setup, music creation, evaluation and clear project documentation.

Authenticity rule: CAD screenshots must show your name in the top-right corner of Fusion 360.

Evidence Checklist

    Benchmark Checkpoints

    • Benchmark 1: Tasks 1–2 complete
    • Benchmark 2: Part 1 complete
    • Benchmark 3: Part 2 complete
    • Benchmark 4: manufacturing files ready
    • Benchmark 5: Part 3 complete
    • Benchmark 6: Part 4 complete
    • Benchmark 7: Part 5 complete
    • Benchmark 8: Part 6 and final evaluation complete

    8 Week Lesson Guide

    Tick each lesson as you complete it. Progress is saved in this browser.

    BEFORE YOU START

    Install Autodesk Fusion on a Mac

    Follow this tutorial before beginning the Robotic Fingers CAD lessons. Use your school-approved Autodesk Education account process. Do not choose a paid commercial subscription unless your teacher specifically instructs you to.

    Important: Autodesk screens and eligibility steps can change. If your screen looks different, stop and ask your teacher rather than entering payment details.
    1

    Check your Mac and school instructions

    Make sure you have internet access and permission to install software. If your Mac is managed by your school, Autodesk Fusion may already be available through the school's software/self-service system.

    2

    Open Autodesk Education

    Use Autodesk's official Education page for Fusion. Sign in or create an Autodesk account using the process approved by your school.

    Open Autodesk Education β€” Fusion β†—
    3

    Sign in and confirm education access

    Sign in with your Autodesk account. Follow Autodesk's education eligibility prompts if they appear. Use accurate school and student information. Ask your teacher if you are unsure which email or school details to use.

    Do not enter payment details for this class installation unless your teacher/school has specifically instructed you to do so.
    4

    Download Fusion for macOS

    From the Autodesk Education/Fusion download area, choose the macOS version when prompted. The installer will normally appear in your Downloads folder.

    5

    Run the installer

    Open Finder β†’ Downloads, open the Autodesk Fusion installer, and follow the on-screen installation instructions. macOS may ask for permission or an administrator password on managed devices.

    If installation is blocked, do not try to bypass school security settings. Ask your teacher or IT support.

    6

    Open Fusion and sign in

    Open Autodesk Fusion from Applications or Spotlight Search. Sign in using the same Autodesk account used for education access. Allow the application to complete any first-launch setup or updates.

    7

    Complete the 5-minute installation test

    1. Create a New Design.
    2. Start a sketch on a flat plane.
    3. Draw a rectangle.
    4. Finish the sketch.
    5. Extrude the rectangle to make a simple 3D block.
    6. Save the design as Fusion Installation Test – Your Name.
    8

    Show your teacher

    Show your saved 3D test model to your teacher. Once checked, you are ready to begin the Robotic Fingers Fusion 360 modelling lessons.

    Installation progress

    0 of 8 steps complete

    Troubleshooting on Mac

    Fusion is already installed: Open it and sign in, then complete Step 7.

    I cannot install software: Your Mac may be school-managed. Check Self Service or ask your teacher/IT support.

    I cannot sign in: Check that you are using the correct Autodesk account and internet connection. Do not create multiple accounts unless instructed.

    Education access is asking for verification: Follow Autodesk's current instructions and ask your teacher if you are unsure what school information to provide.

    The screen does not match this tutorial: Autodesk occasionally changes its website and installer. Use the official Autodesk Education page and ask your teacher before proceeding if anything is unclear.

    ROBOTIC FINGERS β€” FUSION 360

    Fusion 360 Video Tutorial Library

    Use these tutorials in sequence while modelling and assembling your Robotic Fingers project. Keep Fusion open beside the video so you can pause, model, check dimensions and continue.

    Evidence reminder: Take authentic screenshots of your own Fusion 360 work at the required stages. Screenshots should show your identifying Fusion workspace information as required by the project folio.
    Tutorial 5

    Robotic Fingers Tutorial 5

    Continue component and mounting development for the Robotic Fingers system.

    Open the IDT YouTube video library and select Robotic Fingers Tutorial 5.

    Watch Tutorial 5 β†—
    Tutorial 6

    Robotic Fingers Tutorial 6

    Develop and integrate the mounting/base solution and components.

    Watch Tutorial 6 β†—
    Tutorial 7

    Robotic Fingers Tutorial 7

    Assemble the complete digital model and prepare the base/manufacturing workflow.

    Watch Tutorial 7 β†—

    Recommended workflow

    Watch β†’ Pause β†’ Complete the Fusion step β†’ Check dimensions/constraints β†’ Screenshot evidence β†’ Continue.

    LEARNING TAB 1 β€” PROGRAMMING

    Programming the Arduino to Control the Servos

    Learn how the Arduino UNO R3 controls the servo motors that move the robotic fingers. Test the servos, zero their positions, change angles and build a movement sequence.

    Project connection: The Robotic Fingers folio requires servos to be tested and zeroed so the fingers can be positioned correctly before programming the full system.

    1. Understand the system

    Arduino code β†’ servo signal β†’ servo rotation β†’ finger movement.

    The Arduino is the programmable controller. It sends control signals to the servo motors, which rotate to programmed angles and move the robotic fingers.

    2. Key servo concepts

    • Attach: connects a servo object in code to an Arduino pin.
    • Angle: tells the servo the position it should move toward.
    • Zero position: establishes a known starting point.
    • Delay/timing: controls how long the program waits before the next action.
    • Sequence: the planned order of finger movements.

    3. Basic servo test

    #include <Servo.h>
    
    Servo fingerServo;
    
    void setup() {
      fingerServo.attach(9);
    }
    
    void loop() {
      fingerServo.write(0);
      delay(1000);
      fingerServo.write(90);
      delay(1000);
      fingerServo.write(180);
      delay(1000);
    }
    Mechanical safety: Do not force a finger beyond its physical limits. If the mechanism binds or strains, stop and adjust the angle or alignment.

    4. Moving three fingers

    #include <Servo.h>
    
    Servo finger1;
    Servo finger2;
    Servo finger3;
    
    void setup() {
      finger1.attach(9);
      finger2.attach(10);
      finger3.attach(11);
      finger1.write(0);
      finger2.write(0);
      finger3.write(0);
    }
    
    void loop() {
      finger1.write(90);
      delay(300);
      finger2.write(90);
      delay(300);
      finger3.write(90);
      delay(300);
      finger1.write(0);
      finger2.write(0);
      finger3.write(0);
      delay(1000);
    }

    5. Student testing sequence

    1. Connect one servo and confirm it responds.
    2. Set a safe zero/reference position.
    3. Test 0Β°, 90Β° and 180Β° only where mechanically safe.
    4. Record actual finger position for each angle.
    5. Repeat for the other servos.
    6. Adjust angles so fingers reach their required switch/contact points.
    7. Combine movements into a sequence.

    6. Debugging questions

    • What did you expect the servo to do?
    • What actually happened?
    • Is the servo connected to the correct pin?
    • Is the servo horn fitted in the correct starting position?
    • Is the programmed angle too large for the mechanism?
    • Is the finger mechanically blocked?

    7. Check your understanding

    1. What is the role of the Arduino?
    2. What does servo.write(90) do?
    3. Why should servos be zeroed?
    4. Why test one servo before all three?
    5. What hardware problem could look like a coding problem?
    6. Why is angle testing important for switch alignment?

    AI Learning Coach

    β€œI am a Year 9 STEM student programming Arduino servos for a Robotic Fingers project. Ask me one debugging question at a time about wiring, servo pin, zero position, angle, movement sequence and mechanical alignment. Give hints before answers.”

    Evidence to save

    • Photo of servos in the zeroed position.
    • Screenshot or copy of tested Arduino code.
    • Testing table: Test β†’ Expected β†’ Actual β†’ Change β†’ Result.
    • 100-word explanation of how Arduino controls the three fingers.

    LEARNING TAB 2 β€” MUSIC + INPUT

    GarageBand β†’ QwertyGo β†’ Makey Makey

    Create three musical notes in GarageBand, connect those sounds to keyboard inputs using QwertyGo, then use Makey Makey so the Robotic Fingers can trigger the notes.

    Project connection: The supplied project requires students to create three notes β€” C, D and E β€” then use QwertyGo and Makey Makey so the robotic fingers can trigger musical output.

    1. Understand the signal chain

    Robotic Finger→Switch / Contact→Makey Makey→Keyboard Input→QwertyGo→GarageBand Sound

    The mechanical movement of the finger becomes an electrical input. Makey Makey turns the contact into a keyboard command. QwertyGo associates that command with a sound or note created for the project.

    2. Create C, D and E in GarageBand

    1. Open GarageBand.
    2. Create or open an instrument track.
    3. Choose your team’s instrument sound.
    4. Create the notes C, D and E.
    5. Play each note and confirm they are clearly different.
    6. Save/export the note sounds using the method demonstrated by your teacher/tutorial.

    3. Prepare QwertyGo

    1. Open QwertyGo using the school-provided setup.
    2. Create/open the mapping area shown in the tutorial.
    3. Assign one sound to each keyboard input used by Makey Makey.
    4. Map C, D and E to three inputs.
    5. Test all three from the Mac keyboard before connecting Makey Makey.

    4. Connect Makey Makey

    1. Connect Makey Makey to the Mac.
    2. Connect the required inputs to the robotic finger/switch system.
    3. Make sure Makey Makey inputs match the keys configured in QwertyGo.
    4. Test one finger/contact at a time.
    5. Confirm the correct note plays.
    6. Repeat for all three fingers.

    5. Test the complete system

    FingerExpected noteKeyboard inputActual resultAdjustment
    Finger 1C
    Finger 2D
    Finger 3E

    6. Build the music sequence

    Your team has only three notes. Create an interesting pattern using timing, repetition and note order.

    Example: C – C – E – D – C – E – E – D

    Convert the planned note sequence into servo movements so the correct finger activates at the correct time.

    7. Check your understanding

    1. What is GarageBand’s role?
    2. What is QwertyGo’s role?
    3. What does Makey Makey do?
    4. Why test the keyboard/QwertyGo mapping before connecting the robot?
    5. Why must each finger align with its switch/contact?
    6. Explain the full signal chain from finger movement to musical note.

    AI Learning Coach

    β€œI am a Year 9 STEM student connecting GarageBand, QwertyGo and Makey Makey to a three-finger robot. Help me diagnose why a finger is not playing the correct note. Check physical contact, Makey Makey input, keyboard mapping, QwertyGo sound assignment and the note file. Give hints before answers.”

    Evidence to save

    • Screenshot showing the C, D and E sound setup.
    • Photo showing Makey Makey connected to the completed project.
    • Completed three-finger testing table.
    • Short systems explanation: Finger β†’ Makey Makey β†’ keyboard input β†’ QwertyGo β†’ musical sound.
    • Final music sequence and associated Arduino code.

    GUIDED LEARNING + ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

    Robotic Fingers Learning Spaces

    Complete two guided Learning Spaces each project week. Each space follows Watch β†’ Learn β†’ Think β†’ Make/Test β†’ AI Coach β†’ My Evidence β†’ Save.

    AI rule: AI is a coach, not the author. Use it to understand concepts, ask questions and improve your draft. Your saved assessment evidence must be your own final response and AI/help must be declared.

    Student Evidence App Scaffold

    Students copy this into the Student Evidence App, then fill it in lesson-by-lesson with screenshots, photos, code and reflections.

    Success Criteria

    • Research explains how prosthetics and robotic hands restore function.
    • CAD screenshots show accurate modelling and the student name visible in Fusion 360.
    • The switch mount can be adjusted to align with the robotic finger movement.
    • Manufactured parts are safely and accurately produced using 3D printing and laser cutting.
    • Arduino servos are tested, zeroed and aligned correctly.
    • Makey Makey, GarageBand and QwertyGo are connected to produce music.
    • The final video demonstrates at least 20 finger strokes.
    • The final evaluation uses evidence and explains improvements.

    Reflection Prompts

    Investigating

    What design features from real prosthetics influenced your robotic finger design?

    Generating

    How did your team improve the switch mount or base design after testing?

    Producing

    What tools, machines and safety practices did you use to produce the components?

    Evaluating

    How well did the final robotic fingers meet your success criteria?

    Teacher Answers πŸ”’

    This area is for teacher use only. Enter the PIN to view weekly answers, checkpoints and marking guidance.

    Default PIN: Kings2026. Change this in app.js before deploying if required.