PlaytheGame
Description
Thisactivityusespre-existingroboticscompetitionchallenges (e.g.,FIRST LEGOLeague, VEXEDR,VEXIQ,VEXRoboticsCompetition).
Robotics competitions help studentsbyengagingtheminatime-bound activity, encouragingteamwork and having them follow rules similar to those outlinedby agoverning body.Thebenefitsofcompletionincludepromotingcollaborative work amongstudentsindiversecommunities, taking pride in awards and encouraging innovation and problem-solvingin anenergized,public education forum.
The students’ primary objective is toattempttocompleteoneofthecompetitionchallengeslisted below.
LessonOutcomes
Students willbeable to:
•Construct and operatea robot to perform the gamechallenge(s)
•Follow instructions tocomplete acomplex task
•Solvetechnicalproblems
•Effectively communicateandwork in a team
•Useappropriate terminology to describethe components in their electroniccircuit
Assumptions
Studentswillhave:
•Knowledge and understanding ofbasic construction techniques
•Formed teams and partnerships withinthe classroom
•Access toroboticsplatforms and necessaryequipment
EstimatedTime
3–4 hours
RecommendedNumberofStudents
2–5 studentsper robot,per team(3 studentsper teamis ideal);2–5 teams
Thisworkis licensedunder aCreativeCommonsAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike4.0InternationalLicenseunlessotherwiseindicated.
Facilities
A competition arenawhere the competitionwill take place (e.g., alarge tablein a cafeteria, gymor large classroom)
Each teamtakes their turnonthecompetition table.
Tools
Allrequired tools are typically included withthe kit you are using.
A basictoolkitthatincludespliers,wrenches, files (toroundoffsharpcorners)
Materials
Youwill need topurchase agame elementkit supplied bytherobotics competition organization(e.g.,VEX Robotics orFIRSTLEGOLeague)oryou may choosetocustom-design your ownkitfrom thedollarstoreor thehardware store.
Youwill alsoneed thenecessary materials and equipmenttoconstruct your robot.
Resources
SearchYouTubefor official gamevideos.Youmay alsoreference:
Vex Robotics
LEGO
Website forums for team-to-teamor peer-to-peer onlinediscussions:
VEXIQForum
VEXFORUM
FIRSTForums
Demonstration
Refer to thefollowing gameunveil videos asexamples ofcompetitions:VEXIQChallengefor 2016/2017
VEXEDRChallengefor 2016/2017
FIRSTLEGOLeagueChallengefor2015
Procedure
Afteryou have purchasedthegame elements kit, follow theinstructionsto play the gamewithyour teams.
Assessment
The evaluation of this lessonisbasedon thelearning outcomes outlined above.
Prior toteachersusingthe evaluation griditis recommended that studentsperform someformofpeer-assessment andself-assessment.
OutcomeToBeAssessed / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0Outcome1 / Robotconstruction
1.1 / Robotis ableto successfully competeinthechallenge.
1.2 / Robotperformsaccordingtoexpectations.
Outcome2 / Followsinstructionstocompleteacomplextask
2.1 / Ableto understandandcomply withthegame’sparametersandrules.
Outcome3 / Tacklestechnicalproblems
3.1 / Able to resolveerrorswhen encountered.
3.2 / Abletoapproachchallengeswith perseverance.
Outcome4 / Teamwork
4.1 / Divisionof work.
4.2 / Effortof eachteam member.
Outcome5 / UnderstandingKeyTerminology
5.1 / Demonstratestheuseof KeyTerminology.
5.2 / Appliesterminology appropriately.
TotalPoints:
6 / Completedsuccessfully atthe exceptional level / Exemplary5 / Completedsuccessfully athigher than theexpected level / Accomplished
4 / Completedsuccessfully to theexpectedlevel / Emerging
3 / Attemptedsuccessfullyat the minimumlevel / Developing
2 / Attempted–Unsuccessful–ClosetoSuccessful / Beginning
1 / Attempted–Unsuccessful / Basic
0 / NotAttempted / N/A
Comments:
YouthExploreTradesSkills3
ExtensionActivities
SearchYouTube for yourchosencompetition platform’sunveil videofornext year’sgame.It is agoodidea to start planning and building robots as soon as possible.