The word robot was coined in 1921 by a writer named Karel Capek for a play entitled "R.U.R." or "Rossum's Universal Robots." It is based on the Czech word "robotnik" which means worker. Robots are indeed workers in our modern world. They are used for accomplishing tasks which excessive cost, need for extreme precision, repetition of motion, harsh environments or danger prevent human beings from performing. Why do we need robots and why is it a subject worth studying?
Look around your home and garage--many things we use everyday were assembled by robotic machinery. Robots aren't only toys, nor are they only the stuff of science fiction stories and movies. They are a real and exciting part of our culture.
In this issue's Unit Study, be prepared to learn some robot terminology, glean some interesting facts about the science, write a report on the subject, take a field trip to see a robot in action, visit websites, read some literature, as well as become introduced to some great robot building books, and work on a robot building project.
Robots have, through history, spawned some ridiculous fears and gained a bad reputation. Did you know that in the 1950s, some persons accused Albert Einstein of being a communist, saying he had built a threatening mind-control robot which he planned to use to take over the world? Movies and science fiction stories have helped to perpetrate the sensational fantasy that a robot, which had no emotions or morals, could turn on humans and destroy civilization. This is an interesting phenomenon in itself. The student may want to write a story, essay or poem showing this fear and why it is not plausible.

Robots and literature
Robotic textbooks:

• The Ultimate Robot Book By Robert Malone (Published 2004 Dorling Kindsersley of London) I like this book because of the broad scope. It does have wonderful color pictures and an easy to follow text. It has a chapter on robots in movies, art and literature that some will consider too graphic or offensive. Its chapter on living with robots is good. Chapters on robot construction kits and on robot collectibles and toys are fun and interesting. One section covers artists and sculptures who used robots in their artwork. (Lawrence Northey, Christian Ristow, Clayton Bailey, Karl Egenberger, and Eric Joyner and Micheal Whelan) In my opinion this book's advantages outweigh the few questionable pictures, but it should be used with close parental supervision.
• The Robot Book By Robert Malone (from Push Pin Press) is an earlier book by the same writer and may be more acceptable.
• The Great Robot Book by Wanda and Texe Marrs, published by Julian Messner in 1985 is an older yet fact-filled book about robots. 
• Junkbots, Bugbots & Bots on Wheels by Dave Hrynkiw and Mark Tilden. (Published by 2002 McGraw Hill) Tilden is considered one of the foremost experts on building robots.
• The Personal Robot Book by Texe Marrs has tips for building robots.

Robots and the Bible
What important doctrine does the Bible teach that shows us that God does not treat humans like puppets or robots?
Read the following scriptures. Proverbs 8:12, Isaiah 2:7, Ecclesiastes 106:29 &39
The following are a few ideas for essay writing.