We, Robots

1
We, Robots

• Or
• Encounter at FarPoint
• A problem-solving simulation
• By Mary Mellon

2
FarPoint Mission

• L.A.R.R.-E. must successfully navigate a canyon
  maze
• L.A.R.R.-E. must successfully locate a light
  source (robogold) on a black stripe located on
  the plain after leaving the canyon. The robot
  will stop when it discovers the robogold and
  play a sound to indicate that it has found the
  correct place.
• Programmers will be allowed to change programs
  only once during their Mission trial. They will
  not be allowed to make any physical changes to
  their design of L.A.R.R.-E. once they start the
  trial. Limited repairs will be allowed.

3
Basic Equipment and Materials List

• 5-6 Lego Mindstorms robotic kits
• Minimum of 6 Batteries for each kit
• 5-6 Windows based computers (98 or above)
• Introductory Powerpoint presentation
• Materials to construct the canyon and mining
  challenges
• RIS (Robotic Invention System) software for each
  robot
• Handouts as needed throughout the mission

4
Day 1

• Watch the introductory Powerpoint presentation
• Discuss the importance of robots in the
  exploration of Space.
• Introduce the Mission and its parameters
• Questions

5
Day 2

• Assign teams, discuss responsibilities of each
  team member assignment
• Begin working through the missions, answering the
  certification questions along the way
• Any other questions?
• Team Log entry 1make a team list of 10 criteria
  for evaluating this experience

6
Day 3

• Continue with the missions and certification
  --the goal being to finish them today or tomorrow
• Questions
• Team Log 2

7
Day 4

• Begin programming for the FarPoint Mission
• Be the robot
• Questions
• Team Log 3Algorithm for L.A.R.R.-E.s behavior

8
Day 5

• Continue programming work
• Questions
• Team Log 4Gear ratio, wheels, time-trials data
  gathering exercise

9
Days 6-8

• Continue programming work
• Questions
• Team Log 5-7 technical writing exercises
• Optional internet research days

10
Day 9

• Begin official FarPoint Mission trials
• Team Log 8

11
Day 10

• Any remaining Mission trials
• Evaluation and Debriefing of experience
• Final Log entry assignment

12
Science Standards

• As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all
  students will develop the abilities to do
  scientific inquiry, be able to demonstrate how
  scientific inquiry is applied, and develop
  understandings about scientific inquiry.
• As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all
  students will demonstrate abilities of
  technological design and understandings about
  science and technology.

13
Reading Standards

• Standard 1 Reading The student reads and
  comprehends text across the curriculum.
• Standard 4 Research The student applies
  reading and writing skills to demonstrate
  learning.

14
Other Standards

• NCTM-National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• Standard 6 Problem Solving
• NSES-National Science Education Standards
• Standard A Science as inquiry
• Standard B Physical Science
• Standard E Science and Technology

15
Other Standards cont.

• ITEAInternational Technology in Education
  Association
• Standard 3 The relationships between
  technologies and the connections between
  technologies and other fields
• Standard 8 The attributes of design
• Standard 9 Engineering design
• Standard 10 The role of trouble-shooting,
  research and development, invention and
  innovation, and experimentation in problem
  solving

16
Blooms Taxonomy

• Analysisstudents will use analytical skills to
  determine the steps needed to to solve the
  problem.
• Synthesisstudents will use and modify basic
  skills learned in tutorial missions to solve
  new problems
• Evaluationstudents will evaluate their current
  solutions in light of the presented criteria for
  success and make changes accordingly

17
Algorithm

• 1. Move forward whenever possible
• 2. Backup and turn whenever a wall is hit
• 3. Locate the place with the light
• 4. Go to the place with the light
• 5. Stop
• 6. Play a tone or tune