Teacher Resource

Bionic Arm Builder

1. Before watching the BTN story, discuss in pairs what you know about bionics.

2. What helped Hannah build the bionic arm?a. Codingb. Electronicsc. 3D designd. All of the above

3. What is bionic technology? Explain using your own words.4. What can the bionic arm that Hannah built do?5. How much did it cost Hannah to print and build the bionic arm?6. Explain how the bionic arm works. 7. What materials did Hannah use to make the bionic arm?8. What does the fishing wire in the hand act as?9. How do the sensors on the bionic arm work?10. If you could design a bionic body part what would it be? Why?

After watching the BTN story, respond to the following questions:

What did you SEE in this video? What do you THINK about what you saw in this video? What does this video make your WONDER? What did you LEARN from this story? What was SURPRISING about this story?

What does bionic mean?Ask students what they know about bionics and discuss as a class. As a class, discuss the meaning of the word ‘bionic’. Some dictionaries explain the word bionic as combining two words ‘bio’ meaning life, with ‘nics’ from the word electronics.

Definition - Bionics is the study of mechanical systems that function like living organisms or parts of living organisms.  

©ABC 2018

Episode 118th May 2018

Students will investigate the use of bionic technology in our community. Students will explore how bionic technology helps people.

Science – Year 5 & 6Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions.

Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts.

What does bionic mean?

Mind mapAsk students to think of words they associate with the word bionics. Record students’ ideas on a mind map with the word BIONICS in the middle. Below are some suggested words related to bionics.

Bionic 3D printing Science Electronics Coding Human body Invention Body part Robotic Technology Research Engineer Design

Ask students to clarify their understanding of the key words by writing down what they think the word means. Swap definitions with a partner and ask them to add to or change the definition. Check them using a dictionary or other source.

Bionics Research

Define: What do I want to know?

Key questions to researchStudents can choose one or more of the following questions or come up with their own:

What are bionic body parts? Why do some people need bionic body parts? What type of bionic body parts have been invented and are already being used by people in

the community? What other bionic body parts are currently being developed? Why are some people concerned about the idea of bionic body parts? What do you think is the future of bionic body parts?

Locate: Where do I find the information? What resources will help answer my questions? (Internet, people, resource centre, organisations, print). Discuss with students what a reliable source is.

Select: What information is important for the investigation? Students may need support to sort through and select relevant information.

Organise: How do I make sense of the information? Students can organise their research by creating main headings from their questions. Write each heading on a separate piece of paper. Record the information found for each question.

©ABC 2018

Present: How do we let others know about this information?Each group needs to discuss then decide on the best way to present the information. Possibilities could include:

A `Did You Know’ Facts sheet Infographic Oral presentation Prezi presentation Create an infographic using Canva

Evaluate: What have we learnt?Each group reflects on what they have learnt about bionics during their investigation. Students will reflect on their learning and respond to the following.

What I learned... What I found surprising...

BTN Bionic storiesStudents watch the following BTN population stories and answer the questions.

BTN Bionic Body story

1. Discuss the main issues raised in the Bionic Body story with another student. Record the main points of your discussion.

2. Why did Alex receive a bionic arm?

3. What are bionic body parts?4. Why do some people need

bionic body parts?5. The bionic ear is also known

as the ________________ _________________.

6. Where and when was it invented?7. What other bionic body parts are being developed?8. Some scientists think that about _____% of the human body could be replaced with bionic body

parts.9. Why are some people concerned about the idea of bionic body parts?10. What do you think is the future of bionic body parts? Explain your answer.

BTN Bionic Boy story

©ABC 2018

1. Discuss the Bionic Boy story with another student.

2. What disease was Riley born with?

3. What does Riley use to speak?4. Which part of Riley’s body can he

control?5. What does Riley say is the

hardest thing for him?6. What has Jordan created to help

Riley?7. Describe what Riley can do using

the new technology.8. Which piece of technology has Riley always dreamed of controlling?9. Explain how Riley will control the car.10. How did this story make you feel?

BTN - Bionic Eyehttp://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3779423.htm

BTN – Bionic Bodyhttp://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4200142.htm

BTN – Bionic Boyhttp://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4473643.htm

ABC Radio National – Bionic Bodies (part 1 of 2)http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/bionic-bodies-part-1-of-2/9325268

ABC Radio National – Bionic Bodies (part 2 of 2)http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/bionics-bodies-part-2-of-2/9339110

©ABC 2018