HEXBUG DIY Dragonfly STEM Build Challenge

Help your child put their building skills to the test with this easy DIY STEM Build Challenge! Gather the VEX IQ pieces and help them put together their own dragonfly!

Spring is coming quickly and everyone here at HEXBUG is so excited that it’s the inspiration for today’s DIY VEX IQ Build Challenge. Meet the DIY dragonfly!

Fun facts:

• There are over 5,000 known species of dragonflies, (smithsonian.com).
• Dragonflies eat other insects such as midge and mosquitoes, (coolkidfacts.com).
• Dragonflies can fly in any direction as well as hover in one spot, (mmn.com).

Ready to help your little one build there own? Let’s get started!

Supplies:

VEX IQ PIECES

• Right Fender (2) – Red
• Left Fender (2) – Red
• 12 Tooth Gears (2) – Black
• Small Turnable Center Bushing (2) – Red
• 1×8 Ballista Arm (2) – Red
• 12x Robotic Arm Beam (2) – Red
• 2×2 Wide Corner Connector (1) – Black
• Idler Pin (2) – Black
• 1×1 Connector Pins (24) – 7 Red, 17 Black
• 1×2 Connector Pins (16) – Red
• 2x Pitch Standoff Connector (1) – Black
• Small Chassis Corner Connector (8) – Black
• 3×3 Plate (6) – Black
• 2×10 Plate (1) – Black
• 1×4 Beam (6) – Black
• 1×3 Beam (1) – Red
• 1×7 Beam (1) – Black
• 1×13 Beam (1) – Black
• 1×14 Beam (1) – Black

Head

Step 1

Attach (4) small chassis corner connectors to each corner of (1) 3×3 plate. Then insert (1) 1×1 connector pin into each of the center holes in the corner connectors.

Step 2

Attach (4) 3×3 plates around the central plate by inserting the corner connector pins through the middle hole on the plate. Then, place (2) corner connector pins in the center holes facing upwards to create the top of the head.

Step 3

Secure (2) connector pins across from each other in a turnable center bushing. Next insert (2) idler pins into the center holes of (1) 12 tooth gear. Repeat this process a second time to form the eyes of the Dragonfly.

Step 4

Secure the eyes onto the head. Then grab (1) 2×2 wide corner connector and insert (2) connector pins into the bottom two holes closest to the corner connection. Insert the wide corner connector into the back of the head.

Body

Step 1

Grab (2) right fenders and (2) left fenders and insert (2) 1×1 connector pins into two of the holes so that the pins are vertical. Use (2) 1×4 beams to secure one of the fender groups together by staggering them. Insert (1) corner connector piece into the uppermost left beam facing upwards.

Step 2

Now use (1) 2x pitch standoff connector pin and attach (1) 1×4 beam so that the two beams are parallel. Then attach (1) corner connector piece directly across from the other.

Step 3

Now connect the second group of fenders by attaching (1) 1×4 beam to the bottom two pins. Then combine the two groups of fender mechanisms to form the body of the Dragonfly.

Step 4

Attach the head of the Dragonfly to the tail by securing the two corner connectors to the downward facing side of the wide corner connector on the back of the head. Then place (7) 1×2 connector pins and (1) 1×1 connector pin into the center of (1) 2×10 plate.

Step 5

Connect the 2×10 plate with the wide corner connector by using the two red pins.

Tail

Step 1

Attach (1) 1×13 beam onto the bottom of the 2×10 beam using the 7 pins. Then place (5) 1×2 connector pins to the holes on the back of the 1×13 beam. Next place (1) 1×7 beam over these rear pins.

Step 2

Cover the ten rear pins with (1) 1×14 beam. Then secure (1) 1×3 beam to the top of the tail using (3) connector pins.

Wings

Step 1

Place (2) 1×2 connector pins into each side of (1) 1×4 beam. Repeat this step a second time so that you have. Now attach (2) 1×8 ballista arms onto the top of the two pins. Then repeat this process but this time use (2) robotic arm beams.

Step 2

Secure the wings onto the back of the Dragonfly to complete the build!

Leave a comment and let us know what you’d like us to build next! Show us your VEX builds on social media by tagging @hexbug on your posts!