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 an automaton — a machine that seems to be alive!
You can download and print these instructions.
Materials
Collect these materials:
- A rigid container, like a yogurt carton or cardboard box
- 2 foam circles (about 2.5’ diameter)
- 2 skewers
- 2 small pieces of plastic straw
- A center hole punch
- Some tape or glue
- Additional materials to decorate your automaton
Recipe
Check out these other great examples from the Exploratorium’s Tinkering Studio for some ideas about how to decorate your automaton.
What will you put on top of your automaton?
Can you make something that looks like it’s alive?
Adjust the foam circles so they are at right angles, with the flat surface of the top one resting on the edge of the bottom one.
Now decorate your automaton. You can put whatever you want on top. Turn the handle. Adjust your cam system, and experiment with your decorations until you can make it move the way you want.
Show us what you made!
Did you make an automaton? Then share it with us! We love seeing what people make.
...and then claim your exclusive Frankenstein200 Award Certificate!