Funding sponsored by:
www.qad.com
Click here to download the project resources.
Project Description: This project consists of two "How-to" videos designed to help students and teachers get started in robotics with two time-tested competitive challenges: Tug O' War and Sumo. These fun and motivating activities integrate mathematics, science, and cooperative learning in a way that develops advanced technical and computer literacy skills.
How it works: The Building LEGO Robots Digital Video Guides enable students and teachers to learn about the fun and exciting Tug O' War and Sumo competitions that students involved in RoboChallenge have been doing since 2001. Using LEGO Robotics materials, students can design, build and program robots to compete with their classmates, or to participate in regional competitions.
The video guides demonstrate the basics of robot construction, simple programming techniques, and how to run competitions. Teachers may use these videos and robot materials that they have acquired through participation in RoboChallenge or other sources, to run curricular or extracurricular activities using robotics. Schools that already have current robotics clubs or classes may add Tug O War and Sumo activities to their programs. Teachers that do not have robotics programs may discover through these videos ways in which they may be able to bring robotics to their schools.
Assessment: These robotics projects create tangible products that will be tested through application in a real performance tests. The creation of these projects involves an ongoing build-test-revise model that lends itself to self-correcting ongoing feedback of results. An authentic assessment rubric is provided to assist teachers in assessing the participation and application of skills and standards for individual students.
Standards: Different mathematics, science, and technology standards are applicable at different grade levels.
Specifically, for the primary targeted age group (Junior High), CA 8th grade science standards are applied: Motion, Forces, and Energy.
In addition, most mathematics standards are applicable; including angles, measurement, special awareness, computation, and number sense.
Estimated Number of Class Periods for Students To Complete Unit: 10 or more
Software or Materials Used: Anyone with an internet connection will be able to access these How-to videos, but in order to use the videos to build Sumo or Tug O' War Robots, some technology resources are required.
At a minimum, computers and robotics materials such as LEGO Mindstorms or LEGO Mindstorms NXT are required. Many schools in the Santa Barbara region already have these materials, because of outreach programs and grants such as RoboChallenge.
Keywords: robot, robotics, engineering, science, math, STEM, robochallenge, LEGO, Tug O' War, tug of war, sumo, competition, physical science, robotics science, robo science, technology, computers, computer programming, Mindstorms, NXT, MESA
The Students: Students of any age can build Tug O' War and Sumo robots, as demonstrated by the work that has been done in RoboChallenge since 2001. Even kindergartners have built basic robots, but these can also be great projects for high school seniors and even college age students. Robotics works best with cooperative groups of 2 to 4 students.
Working with very young students on building robots requires a much more active role on the part of the instructor. High school students can build robots like these with little guidance from an instructor, using the video and other resources.
8th grade curriculum is ideally suited for integrating robotics activities. Robotics projects such as these are well suited for extracurricular activities, but for several years, robotics Sumo and Tug O War have been a regular part of the curriculum in the Robotics Science Class at El Camino Junior High in Santa Maria.
Overall Value: There is a growing need to provide meaningful STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) experiences to students in K-12 schools. Early positive STEM experiences help students overcome the barriers that prevent them from pursuing STEM careers and college majors.
These video guides can help teachers bring activities to their classroom with a proven track record of developing STEM interest and STEM skills. The open-ended nature of the projects make Robotic Tug O War and Sumo well suited for short courses, after school programs, or as part of the regular curriculum.
Subject Area: Science, Math
Grade Levels: Grades K-12
Homepage: http://homepage.mac.com/mrlaurie/robo/tutorials.html
Tips for the Teacher: If you have robotics materials, and are wondering what to do with them, or if you are considering trying robotics activities with your students, these video guides can help you out.
