Classroom Questions

Questions for ‘This squirrel-like robot has some serious hops’ 

A jumping robot with one leg leaps from one PVC pipe to another. A black net is strung below it.

This robot was named Salto — for saltatorial, a term meaning able to leap. Here, the squirrel-like bot jumps from one pipe to another and lands balanced and stable.

Justin K. Yim

By Science News Explores

To accompany ‘This squirrel-like robot has some serious hops’

SCIENCE

Before Reading:

  1. What does it mean for someone to “mimic” something or another person? Based on your understanding of this word, what do you think the term biomimicry might mean in an engineering context?
  2. Watch this video on acrobatic squirrels. What surprises you most about this video? Based on what you saw, list some abilities that squirrels appear to have that are important for achieving these acrobatic feats.

During Reading:

  1. What does this article say is the secret behind a squirrel’s acrobatic abilities?
  2. Give a specific example of how a squirrel might maneuver to correct a jump that is a bit too long or short.
  3. Momentum is the tendency for an object in motion to remain in motion. How does this relate to the hopscotch example described in the story?
  4. What is an animal that you would describe as “saltatorial” — besides those mentioned in this story? Explain your answer.
  5. How have researchers improved Salto’s design since it was first developed in 2016?
  6. What are some improvements scientists still want to make to Salto’s design?
  7. Quantitative research collects data in the form of numerical measurements. Give one example of quantitative data collected by the researchers of this study.

After Reading:

  1. Do you think Salto’s design is an example of biomimicry? Why or why not? Use at least one feature of Salto that supports your answer.
  2. Give one example of how Justin Yim imagines these robots might help people in the future. Come up with one other potential application for this technology. Give two changes or upgrades the robot would need for such applications.