| Objective(s) | Project | Resources |
I can analyze another person's robot construction and program.
I can synthesize project guides to fit my needs. | Project 7: Free Choice
Builder & Programmer: You Decide
For our final project, check out the link to find a list of different projects you can try.
You can select whichever program you want, provided that both its building and its programming difficulty levels are at least 2. You can also modify and combine projects if you wish. | Project Rubric |
I can analyze another person's robot construction and program.
I can synthesize project guides to fit my needs. | Project 6: RC Race Car
Builder: B Programmer: A
In this project, you will design a robot car with a wired or wireless controller. Wirelessly controlled robots may use one additional NXT brick.
Your robot should be able to move forwards and backwards, turn, and stop based on your input.
You will control your robot through a simple but random course/series of challenges. The robot that is the quickest and most accurate will receive bonus points. |
Project/Programming Guides
Note: You can download the program from this guide and tweak it. NXT Car and Controller guide |
I can work through potential scenarios virtually.
I can predict my robot's response to a static stimulus. | Project 5: The Maze
Builder: A Programmer: B
For this project, your robot must navigate a maze made of plastic folders without knocking them over. You will not know the layout of the maze ahead of time.
At minimum, your robot should move through the maze without knocking anything over.
The robot that finishes the maze quickest will be given bonus points. | Project Rubric
Bot Construction Guides:
Project/Programming Guides
NXT Explorer guide |
I can work through potential scenarios virtually.
I can predict my robot's response to a manually triggered stimulus. | Project 4: Roomba
Builder: B Programmer: A
For this project, your robot must "clean" a floor that includes 16 tiles in a square plus 4 tiles that will be randomly added to one side of the floor.
+ You must attach a dry erase marker to the front center of your robot. You may use a single white sheet of paper at the edge of the course to show your robot where the "wall" is. You may not touch your robot while it is "cleaning."
At minimum, the center of the front of your robot must pass through 18 of the squares.
The robot whose front center passes through the most squares will be given bonus points. In the event of a tie, the robot that cleaned the floor quickest wins. | Project Rubric
Bot Construction Guides: Project/Programming Guides |
I can collaborate with a teammate about a common challenge.
I can develop an original solution that goes beyond basic robotics guides. | Project 3: Tug of War
Builder: A Programmer: B
For this project, your robot will face off against the other robots in a bracketed tug-of-war contest.
At minimum, your robot should be able to pull against the other robot without breaking. The winning robot overall gets bonus points.
Rules:
- Once the contest begins, you will not be allowed to modify your robot. This includes reassembling parts that have broken/fallen off.
- You may only use the items contained in one Lego NXT kit to make your robot.
- Your robot must have a place to attach a key ring at the front. No part of the robot can extend in front of the key ring.
- Your program must have a 3 second delay after you press start.
- The contest ends when any part of a robot (including the key ring) crosses the centerline.
- If neither robot has crossed the centerline after 60 seconds, the robot closest to the centerline loses.
| Project Rubric
Bot Construction Guides: Project/Programming Guides |
I can evaluate multiple methods of solving a problem to find the best option.
I can troubleshoot NXT programs that I have written. | Project 2: Minesweeper
Builder: B Programmer: A
For this project, you will need to build a robot that can move continuously through the "ocean" without exploding a mine. A mine is considered exploded if any part of a red cup goes outside of its yellow circle.
At minimum, your robot should move continuously for 30 seconds without exploding a mine. If the robot drives off the edge of the ocean, you can pick it up, turn it around, and put it back on the ocean without penalty.
The robot that lasts the longest wins. All robots that last 3 minutes will be given bonus points. | Project Rubric
Bot Construction Guides:
Project/Programming Guides
NXT Minesweeper guide
Note: If there are extra computers available, your team can use up to two (one for building and one for programming). Do not use computers assigned to the other teams. |
I can evaluate robot models to find the one that suits my purpose best.
I can synthesize building methods based on experimentation. | Project 1: Mountain Climbing
Builder: A Programmer: B
For this project, you will need to build and program a robot that can climb up a steep, slippery surface.
At minimum, your robot should be able to drive 3' up a 20° incline.
The robot that can climb the steepest surface wins 10 bonus points. In the event of a tie, the robot that climbs the fastest wins.
Project directions:
- Research options using the links in the Resources column.
- Brainstorm with your team to come up with an idea.
- Build and program your robot.
- Test and adapt your robot.
| Bot Construction Guides:
Project/Programming Guide:
Note: You may use any of the resources in this column, but none of them are required. Some of the guides will work perfectly. Others will not be 100% compatible with our robot kits. You should adapt, combine, and tweak the things you find to make your robot the best. |
| Course introduction | - Fill out and submit the survey (in the Resources column)
- Class discussion: expectations and schedule for the semester, FAQ, rubric, extra credit.
- Class discussion: the Jetsons
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