LEGO® Robotics Invention WebQuest

 

Introduction and Task Process  and Resources Evaluation Conclusion

 

 

Introduction and Task

Would you like to design, build, and program a robot to clean your room and do your homework?  Then you are at the right place!  You are going to learn how to create a robot out of LEGO that will complete a task that you program it to do.  

In real life engineers build robots or machines to do jobs that humans don't want to do or can't do.  Sometimes the jobs are repetitive and boring.  Sometimes the jobs are dangerous or take more strength than we have.  Whatever the reason, it takes a team of engineers to design, build, and program a robot or machine to do a job.  We are going to work in engineering teams to create a robot to do a simple task.  Then, we are going to add sensors so that the robot can take in information and make decisions as it completes the task.

First,  we are going to learn how to build a simple robot called a Pathfinder. We are going to program it so that it will complete a perfect square.   Then, we are going to add a touch or light sensor to the Pathfinder so that it can react to it's own environment. 

We are going to learn more about the jobs engineers and programmers have.  We are also going to learn  more about the terms and vocabulary that engineers use.  

This lesson will teach you the basics of design, building, and programming so that  you can create  a robot to do whatever you want it to do - like clean your room or do your homework!

Note: This lesson is designed for students  familiar with the Lego Mindstorms Invention System parts, programming environment, and engineering team groups.  

 

Process and Resources

Work in Engineering Teams of  6.

  • Each team will have one Lego Mindstorms kit and two computers.  

  • One computer will be for programming and the other will be for research and keeping on task using this Webquest.  

  • Each engineer is responsible for keeping a lab book with notes and information on your groups efforts.

  • Each engineer is responsible for defining the vocabulary terms individually.  You may discuss these with each other and share your observations.  Include these terms in your lab notebooks within the context of your observations.

 

Divide your Engineering Team and select jobs.

  • Select two engineers to be "parts pickers" and "debuggers"

  • Select two engineers to be "builders" and "rebuilders"

  • Select two engineers to be "programmers"

 

Open up the Constructopedia to the instructions for building a Pathfinder (p13.)

  • Parts Pickers should find the parts needed to build the Pathfinder.

  • Builders should begin building.

  • Programmers should plug in the IR tower and start the Mindstorms programming software.  Make sure that the firmware is downloaded to your RCX.  Begin Looking up the set of terms and vocabulary.

 

All Engineers should begin taking notes in their lab notebooks.  

  • Make note of every step you take and if you backtrack and change your steps then write down why you did so.  
  • These notes will come in very handy as you build more and more robots.  
  • You will use your findings to help you to solve future problems.

 

Now that you have your Pathfinder built it is time to program it.  

  • What are the steps in making a square?  
  • How will you get your Pathfinder to make a turn?  
  • As a group write an algorithm for this program.  Think of all of the steps necessary to complete the task.
    (hint: a square is a series of four steps - this might call for a repeat or loop command)

 

Program, Debug, and Rebuild

  • The programmers should use the algorithm to write a program using the Mindstorms software.
  • The debuggers should test the program and brainstorm with the programmers any changes in the program.  Check the algorithm; are all of the steps in your program?  Are there any missing steps?
  • Rebuilders will consult with the programmers to see if any rebuilding is necessary.  Building a lego robot that moves is different than building a static object with lego.  Changes might have to be made to ensure that your robot is strong enough to sustain motion.

 

When your robot has completed a square you may now add a touch sensor or light sensor to your robot and see what else it can do.

  • Follow the sequence and team assignments above to build and program a new robot.  
  • What different things can you make your robot do by reacting to light or touch?
  • Write these observations into your lab notebook.

 

Vocabulary - Please define these words and terms.  Spell these words correctly and use them correctly in context in your lab notebook as you make observations.  Ask your team members their definitions.  Share information  and add this to your lab notebook.

Use this dictionary to get started.   Use the other resources listed to give you more information.

 

 

Evaulation

 Each engineer will be evaluated by the following rubric: 
Remember the process is as important as the final robot's performance!
  Beginning Developing Accomplished
Teamwork Did not do their job and therefore, did very little to contribute to the team. Did their own job independently but did not communicate much with the rest of the team. Did their own job well and communicated with other team members to make sure the team task was being accomplished.
Individual Job Did not complete individual job. Completed individual job with some help. Completed individual job independently and helped others.
Lab Notebook Wrote very few  steps down. Defined very few terms. Wrote most steps down. Defined most terms. Wrote all steps down AND  summarized the problem solving that went on during the debugging and rebuilding steps. Defined all terms.
Equipment Care Didn't handle equipment much or handled it with little respect. Handled some of the equipment, helped keep some of it orderly. Handled all of the equipment with respect and kept everything orderly and turned in neatly.

 

Conclusion

You have now all gone through the steps to design, build, and program a robot to complete a specific task.  You have learned that robots can be very useful to complete tasks that humans can't or don't want to perform.  Now, how about that homework completing - room cleaning robot?  With the skills you've learned you can do anything you set your mind to!!

 

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For more information on LEGO® Mindstorms
see the official LEGO® site:    LEGO® Mindstorms

Background courtesy of fibblesnork.com(tm) (Copyright held by by Todd Lehman)


 Contact Tonya Witherspoon
Last Update: July 2003

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