Design and build a hydraulic claw that works just like the games in an arcade. Move the upper cylinder and watch your claw open and close below. We have documents to get you started, but the final claw design up to you. Can you design a claw to pick up specific objects (worms, marshmallows, balls)? Take a look at the photos above for ideas and inspiration.

Tools are required for 10 Packs but are optional for single kits.

Activity Videos

Activity Documents

Click on the flowchart to view documents from each category.

Go Guide:

Go Guide: PDF DOCX Videos

Start here! Build your claw, evolve your design, and begin an engineering challenge!

Labs:

Fluid Power Lab: PDF ANSWERS

Explore how hydraulic and pneumatic power systems work. Ages 12+.

Challenges:

Build a claw to clean up the ocean, challenge your friends to a game of "Claw Ball," or "HORSE!"
See the Go Guide document for challenge instructions.

Go Guide: PDF DOCX Videos	Challenge instructions are included in this document.
Engineering Notebooks: Simple Version Full Version	Available at two different learning levels, TeacherGeek Engineering Notebooks are designed to help students cycle through the Design & Engineering Process and help them innovate and invent new designs. Use an Engineering Notebook page for each iteration of design. We recommend keeping extra copies of this on-hand for kids during activities.

Other Resources:

STEAM Market-It Challenge: PDF DOCX	Add the STEAM Market-It Challenge to any completed TeacherGeek activity to teach students how to turn their TeacherGeek design into a retail product. Students will learn the 4 'Ps' of marketing - Product, Placement, Price and Promotion. Students have the option of completing a commercial, a billboard or retail packaging as a summative assessment.
Engineering Notebooks: Simple Version Full Version	Available at two different learning levels, TeacherGeek Engineering Notebooks are designed to help students cycle through the Design & Engineering Process and help them innovate and invent new designs. Use an Engineering Notebook page for each iteration of design. We recommend keeping extra copies of this on-hand for kids during activities.

TeacherGeek Tools

Tools are necessary for 10-packs, but optional for singles.

Multi-Cutter
Cut dowels, strips,
recycling bin items, etc.

Reamer
Ream splines (teeth),
from holes so
dowels spin freely.

Screw Driver
Drive screws into holes.

Mini Hammer
Tap dowels into
other components.

Claw Components

What comes with the Hydraulic Claw?

Single Kit

4x Connector Strips
1x Slide Stop (75 mm)
8x Screws (#10 25mm)
4x Nuts (#10)
2x Cylinder Screws
4x Perpendicular Blocks
2x Cylinders (4.5 ml)
1x Tubing (38 cm)
4x Zip Ties
2x Dowels (150 mm)
4x Dowels (75 mm)
6x Dowels (50 mm)

10-Pack

40x Connector Strips
3x Slide Stop (300 mm)
80x Screws (#10 25mm)
40x Nuts (#10)
20x Cylinder Screws
40x Perpendicular Blocks
20x Cylinders (4.5 ml)
10x Tubing (38 cm)
40x Zip Ties
30x Dowels (300 mm)

This is an educational product and not a toy. It is intended for use by ages 6 and above with adult supervision.

Science, Math & Engineering Standards

TeacherGeek products fit proposals, grants or lesson plans with ease! Explore more resources below:

NGSS Standards Spreadsheet: PDF DOCX	NGSS standards matrix for all TeacherGeek activities.
ITEEA Standards Spreadsheet: PDF DOCX	ITEEA standards matrix for all TeacherGeek activities.