Introduction: Scribble Bot

By LIFE
About: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a modern myth; a 200 year-old science-fiction story that explores themes of human creativity, societal responsibility and scientific ethics. Two centuries later, these themes c…

Another challenge from the Frankenstein200 Workshop!

In Mary Shelley’s original story, Victor Frankenstein was a science student with a secret project. He built a person out of dead body parts and brought it to life.

When his creature began to move, Victor became scared of it. He thought his creature looked like a monster, and he let it run away. Later, his creature kills a child. Victor feels guilty and ashamed, but he doesn’t tell anyone he created the “monster.”

Do you think Victor Frankenstein is responsible for his creature’s actions?

In this activity, you will make a machine that moves on its own!

Step 1: ​Collect These Materials

  1. A pool noodle, cut down to a 3 – 6 inch length
  2. Colored markers
  3. Rubber bands
  4. A battery-operated toothbrush
  5. Craft materials for decoration
  6. Paper (You can download a cool Frankenstein200 frame here.)
  7. A tray to hold the paper (optional)

Step 2: Build the Body

Use rubber bands to attach three or four markers to the pool noodle. These will be your creature’s “legs.” The drawing tips of the markers should point down and extend past the bottom of the tube.

Step 3: Make Your Creature Unique

Use the craft supplies to decorate it and give it special features.

How can you give your creature its own personality and abilities?

Step 4: ​Attach the Motor to the Scribbler Body

If you are using a pool noodle and electric toothbrush, you can slide the toothbrush into the center hole of the pool noodle.

Step 5: Ready, Set, Scribble!

Uncap the markers and place your creature on the paper. (If you want to keep the scribbler from running away, place the sheet of paper inside a tray first.) Now turn on the toothbrush. What happens?

What could you change to make your scribble bot move and draw differently?

Step 6: SHOW US WHAT YOU MADE!

Did you make a scribble bot? Then share it with us! We love seeing what people make. All the best ones will be featured in our Showcase.

And there's way more! Frankenstein200 puts you in the middle of the action in a story where Mary Shelley’s classic tale Frankenstein collides with modern science. Perform experiments, explore hidden areas of research, and assist a pair of young scientists as they unravel a mystery in a cutting-edge digital experience.