Life Cycles | Mini Lesson
In this mini lesson, Grade 9 students explore the life cycle of a robot from idea to design, build, testing, use, maintenance, and retirement. Students connect the engineering design process to real-world robotic systems and identify how robots evolve over time to meet new needs.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Life Cycle | The stages something goes through from beginning to end. |
| Prototype | A first model made to test an idea. |
| Maintenance | Regular care or repair to keep a robot working. |
| Upgrade | An improvement added to make a robot work better. |
| Retirement | The point when a robot is no longer used and is replaced or recycled. |
Show a simple image of a robot at different stages. Ask students to predict what happens from creation to end of use.
Think, write one idea, then share with a partner.
Explain the stages: idea, design, prototype, test, build, use, maintain, upgrade, retire. Connect each stage to examples students understand.
Take notes and answer quick oral questions.
Give students stage cards or display a mixed list. Model how to place stages in order and explain why each stage matters.
Work in pairs to order the stages and justify their choices.
Present one classroom example such as a cleaning robot or warehouse robot. Ask guiding questions about design, testing, maintenance, and retirement.
Complete a short organizer describing each stage for the example robot.
Invite a few pairs to share answers and correct misunderstandings.
Listen, compare responses, and revise notes if needed.
Ask students to write one sentence about why planning for a robot’s life cycle is important.
Complete exit ticket and submit before leaving.
Review the full robot life cycle as a class and emphasize that good robot design includes planning for use, maintenance, upgrades, and retirement.
Formative assessment will be based on the sorting activity, class responses, and exit ticket explanations of the robot life cycle.
Choose a robot or automated device at home or online and write 5-6 sentences describing its likely life cycle, including at least three stages from the lesson.