Introduction to Automatas - Students will meet a professional puppeteer or mechanical artist who demonstrates storytelling through movement and mechanics. Students will observe various automatas and puppets, focusing on the engineering behind each creation. (20 min)

Hands-on Mechanical Components Workshop - Students will experiment with basic mechanical components such as levers and gears, sparking curiosity for their own automata designs. (25 min)

Reading Session with Elementary Students - Students will read the class book with elementary school students, engaging them in discussions about their favorite parts of the story. (25 min)

Interview Preparation - Students will prepare interview questions aimed at gathering descriptive language about specific actions in the book from the elementary students. (20 min)

Conduct Interviews - Students will interview elementary students to gather detailed descriptions of their favorite scenes from the book, focusing on imaginative language. (30 min)

Data Organization - Students will organize the descriptive data collected from interviews, identifying key elements to incorporate into their automata designs. (15 min)

Exploration of Simple Machines - Students will engage in a workshop to learn about simple machines, including pulleys and gears, and consider how these can be integrated into their automata designs. (25 min)

Initial Automata Sketching - Students will begin sketching designs for their automatas based on collected data and simple machine concepts. (20 min)

Collaborative Design Session - Students will collaborate in small groups to refine their automata sketches, applying engineering principles and creativity. (30 min)

Peer Feedback Round - Students will share their preliminary designs with peers, receiving constructive feedback to enhance alignment with elementary students' imagined scenes. (15 min)

Exploration of Simple Machines - Engage in a hands-on workshop to explore and understand the mechanics of levers, pulleys, and gears, foundational for automata design. (45 min)

Reading and Interview Prep - Prepare for interviews with elementary students by reviewing the class book and discussing effective interviewing techniques to gather descriptive language. (25 min)

Conduct Interviews - Visit the elementary school to conduct interviews, focusing on capturing the students' imaginative descriptions of the book scenes. (20 min)

Data Analysis and Scene Selection - Analyze interview data to identify descriptive language for scene selection, deciding which scenes to animate in the automata design. (45 min)

Sketching Initial Designs - Begin sketching initial automata designs based on the selected scenes, applying principles of simple machines and considering feedback from elementary students. (45 min)

Prototype Development - Start developing prototypes of the automata designs, integrating simple machines and ensuring mechanical movements align with the envisioned scenes. (45 min)

Design Refinement and Mechanism Integration - Students review peer feedback and refine their automata designs, focusing on integrating mechanisms like levers and gears to align with the envisioned scenes. (25 min)

Mechanics Workshop: Advanced Concepts - Explore advanced mechanical concepts, such as cams and linkages, and brainstorm ways to incorporate them into automata designs. (20 min)

Prototype Construction Phase 1 - Begin constructing the initial prototype, applying refined designs and integrating simple machines to achieve desired movements. (30 min)

Peer Consultation Session - Partner with classmates to discuss challenges and solutions in the prototype construction process, sharing insights on mechanical integration. (15 min)

Prototype Construction Phase 2 - Continue developing prototypes, focusing on refining mechanical movements and ensuring structural stability. (35 min)

Mid-Project Reflection and Feedback - Present prototype progress to peers, receiving targeted feedback on design alignment and mechanical functionality. (10 min)

Feedback Implementation and Adjustment - Implement peer feedback to enhance prototype designs, focusing on improving mechanics and storytelling accuracy. (20 min)

Collaborative Problem-Solving Workshop - Engage in small group sessions to troubleshoot mechanical issues and brainstorm creative solutions for design challenges. (25 min)

Final Prototype Adjustments - Perform final checks and adjustments on prototype designs, ensuring mechanical movements accurately reflect imagined scenes. (30 min)

Reflection and Self-Assessment - Conduct a self-assessment of progress, identifying areas of improvement and setting goals for continued development. (15 min)

Advanced Simple Machines Workshop - Dive deeper into the mechanics of complex gears and pulleys, focusing on how they can enhance the movement in automata designs. (45 min)

Refinement of Automata Designs - Utilize feedback from peers and previous reflections to refine automata sketches and plans, ensuring alignment with elementary students' imaginative scenes. (25 min)

Hands-On Prototype Adjustment - Work on adjusting prototypes based on refined designs, focusing on improving movement and mechanical accuracy. (20 min)

Peer Feedback Session - Present refined automata designs to peers and gather constructive feedback on movement mechanics and storytelling accuracy. (30 min)

Design Implementation - Begin implementing feedback into physical prototypes, focusing on enhancing the flow and function of the automata. (15 min)

Mechanical Testing and Troubleshooting - Test the movement of automata prototypes, identifying and addressing any mechanical issues or misalignments. (25 min)

Final Design Adjustments - Make final adjustments to automata designs, ensuring they are ready for exhibition presentation. (20 min)

Prototype Showcase Preparation - Prepare for a mid-project showcase by finalizing prototypes and creating presentation materials that explain engineering choices and storytelling elements. (30 min)

Mock Exhibition - Conduct a mock exhibition within the classroom, practicing presentation skills and receiving feedback on clarity and engagement. (15 min)

Final Design Review - Students review the feedback from the mock exhibition and make necessary adjustments to their automata designs, ensuring alignment with elementary students' imagined scenes. (20 min)

Mechanics Precision Workshop - Focus on refining the mechanical movements, ensuring smooth operation of gears and levers within the automata. (25 min)

Detailed Assembly and Construction - Students begin detailed assembly of their automata, incorporating final design elements and ensuring structural integrity. (30 min)

Peer Consultation and Support - Collaborate with peers to solve construction challenges, sharing insights and strategies for successful assembly. (15 min)

Testing and Iteration - Test the complete automata for functionality and storytelling accuracy, iterating on any mechanical issues discovered during testing. (30 min)

Exhibition Presentation Preparation - Begin developing presentation materials for the upcoming exhibition, focusing on explaining engineering choices and narrative elements. (15 min)

Final Adjustments and Polishing - Make final adjustments to the automata designs, ensuring they are polished and ready for exhibition presentation. (25 min)

Rehearsal for Exhibition - Practice presentation skills with peers, focusing on clear communication of design processes and storytelling elements. (20 min)

Exhibition Day Preparation - Ensure all materials are ready and organized for the exhibition, including automata, presentation boards, and storytelling props. (20 min)

Interactive Exhibition Setup - Set up exhibition stations within the elementary school, readying spaces for engaging presentations and interactions with students and parents. (25 min)

Final Touches on Automata - Students make final adjustments to their automata designs, ensuring all mechanical movements align with the imagined scenes. (25 min)

Presentation Preparation - Students work on creating presentation materials that explain their engineering choices and storytelling elements for the exhibition. (20 min)

Exhibition Rehearsal - Conduct a full rehearsal of the exhibition presentation, practicing storytelling and mechanical demonstrations. (30 min)

Peer Feedback and Refinement - Invite peers to provide feedback on presentation clarity and engagement, then refine based on suggestions. (15 min)

Exhibition Setup - Students set up their exhibition space, organizing their automatas and presentation materials for maximum impact. (20 min)

Mock Exhibition Run - Students present their automatas in a mock exhibition to peers, gaining confidence and fine-tuning presentation skills. (25 min)

Final Exhibition Preparations - Ensure all elements of the automata and presentation materials are ready and organized for the exhibition day. (20 min)

Reflective Session - Facilitate a reflective session where students share insights on their learning journey, focusing on engineering and storytelling discoveries. (25 min)

Exhibition Day - Host an interactive exhibition at the elementary school, where students read the class book alongside elementary students and demonstrate their automatas. (45 min)