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AREAS OF SCIENCE
Robotics
Environmental Engineering
DIFFICULTY: Hard
 
METHOD
 Engineering Design Process
TIME REQUIRED
Average (6 days)

Can you build and test your own trash-skimming robot? If you do not have access to a natural body of water to test it in, you can use a bathtub or a swimming pool. There are a variety of low and high-tech Science Buddies projects you can use to help you get started. Can you take any of the following vehicles/robots and design a net or other attachment to help them collect trash from the water's surface?

  • Rubber band paddle boat - this is a good low-tech option with no electronics, and a good choice if you can only work in a small container like a sink or bathtub. It will only move in a straight line, but you can still use it to test a trash collection mechanism.
  • Simple underwater robot - this is a basic underwater vehicle with a motor and battery pack, but no advanced control or steering. This is a good option if you want to go one step up from the low-tech rubber band approach, but are not ready for programming or a more advanced electronics project. 
  • Arduino-controlled ROV or RC boat. These projects are ideal for students ready to delve deeper into the world of robotics. You will build your own fully customizable and steerable vehicle. Can you also design and attach your own custom trash-collecting mechanism?
Engineers are trying to tackle the world's ocean pollution problem using robots. Some robots, like Mr. Trash Wheel and the ship featured in this Mark Rober video, are stationary and collect trash as it flows out of rivers before it gets into the ocean. Others, like the Jellyfishbot, are mobile and can squeeze into narrower spaces to collect trash

Can you build and test your own trash-skimming robot? If you do not have access to a natural body of water to test it in, you can use a bathtub or a swimming pool. There are a variety of low and high-tech Science Buddies projects you can use to help you get started. Can you take any of the following vehicles/robots and design a net or other attachment to help them collect trash from the water's surface?

  • Rubber band paddle boat - this is a good low-tech option with no electronics, and a good choice if you can only work in a small container like a sink or bathtub. It will only move in a straight line, but you can still use it to test a trash collection mechanism.
  • Simple underwater robot - this is a basic underwater vehicle with a motor and battery pack, but no advanced control or steering. This is a good option if you want to go one step up from the low-tech rubber band approach, but are not ready for programming or a more advanced electronics project. 
  • Arduino-controlled ROV or RC boat. These projects are ideal for students ready to delve deeper into the world of robotics. You will build your own fully customizable and steerable vehicle. Can you also design and attach your own custom trash-collecting mechanism?
  • Alternatively, you can purchase a radio-controlled toy boat and try to modify it to attach a trash skimming device.