This camp  is about the construction, program, and implications of robots.  Campers have previously had four lessons introducing campers to the history, types, and theory behind robotics.  They have had instruction on program their robot to complete certain tasks using the LEGO Mindstorms NXT kits.  This activity will be followed by a series of challenge activities in which campers will develop and implement a variety of tasks and skills.  The challenge activities will allow for creative engineer and critical reasoning.

Why is spatial awareness important in robotics?
Why is mathematics necessary for program robots?
How can problem-solving strategies be used to develop and produce technological and program solutions?

Campers will apply basic robotics skills in a combative environment
Campers will recognize the effect of center of gravity and mass distribution on the performance of their robot
Campers will discover the importance of combining program and construction effectively

Objective/Assessment Plan Organizer
Learner Activity Number    Type of Assessment    Description of Assessment    DOK
Level    Adaptations and/or Accommodations
A    Formative    Observe robot can reverse, accelerate, curve turn, detect dark line, detect touch, and use sensor bumper    3    Peer coaching, camper chooses 4 out of the 8  missions to finish
B    Formative    Robot can survive without being knocked over or forced out of the circle.    4    Campers choose to contend in the “fun/learning club” or “competition club” OR pre-assign campers to competition clubs.
C    Formative    Round robin competition    4    Campers choose to contend in the “fun/learning club” or “competition league” OR pre-assign campers to competition clubs.

LEGO Mindstorms kits one per 3 or 4 campers – best to have an even number of groups for ROBOT SUMO matches
Computers one per robot
30 INCH diameter paper for campers to measure robot
Scale for campers to weigh robot
Variety of awards for winners and all campers
Program software on each computer
Internet connection (counselor computer)
Sumo ring – black electrical tape, white board (133cm diameter circle with starting zone marked.  See diagram below)
Camper Mission Card (one for each cluster of campers)
PowerPoint

Campers write phrases and draw pictures about what they know about Sumo wrestling (PowerPoint slide 1)
Ask campers to share what they know about Sumo.
Summarize by saying that Sumo is a Japanese wrestling contest in which two participants challenge each other within a defined area to see who can be the last standing.
One robot will be able to participate in three matches
Robots begin match facing away from each other to show that it can stay with in the black line before contact is made with other robot

Both robots will start in the middle of the ring facing away from each other
Robots must be autonomous
The winner is the last to remain upright or within the boundaries of the ring
Describe and show campers the Sumo ring:
133cm diameter circle on white board
Starting zone is in center
Campers work in their small group to complete tasks and walk around room to monitor and assist campers
Encourage campers to problem solve independently and to run trials to test robot performance and make modifications to make the robot better.
Assess campers’ robots: can it reverse, accelerate, curve turn, detect dark line, detect touch, and use sensor bumper?  Record on Camper Mission Card

Look at the top three winners’ robots and discuss their engineer and program and how both aided in their success.
Let’s connect to real world: what tasks would robots perform that would require a lower center of gravity and large mass?
Why is spatial awareness important in robotics?
Why is mathematics necessary for program robots?

How can problem solving strategies be used to develop and produce technological and program solutions?
Ask campers for ideas about what they need to do to modify their robots to be the best Sumo wrestler it can be (direct campers to think about mass and center of gravity as discussed above)
Tell campers that robo-Sumo, like the Japanese wrestling contest, is the challenge in which two robots challenge each other within a Show campers the ring and that is the challenge for this activity that we will work on for the next couple of days
Hand out Camper Mission Cards to groups and present the tasks PowerPoint slide #4):
Using the drive base with light sensor campers already have, they will work through the robot educator tasks to review and/or learn reverse, accelerate, curve turn, detect dark line, detect touch, use sensor bumper
Campers then program robot.  Encourage campers to use switch commands (if sensor detects white, then robot can go forward/ if sensor detects black, then robot turns to stay within the boundaries) as opposed to wait for commands.
Campers use trial and error to experiment with engineers and program

Campers will be informed about the history, rituals, and rules of Sumo.
Discuss the importance of their mass as a strategy for winning a match.  Also discuss their low stance in relation to how it affects center of gravity.
Present the rules as listed on CAMPER MISSION Card
Two robots will battle at one time
Size restrictions: must fit within a 40cm diameter and can not weigh more than 1.4 kg.
Points are awarded as so: Winner 4 points and loser 1 point

Competition
Hold competition when campers have had adequate time to work on building and program their robot
Prepare ahead of time: randomly draw names to choose two teams to compete in matches and record on bracket.  Do this three times for the three rounds.  Display on wall for campers to view
Remind campers of rules
Keep score using 4  points for winner and 3 point for losers on the bracket
Present top three winners with top prizes and present all campers with other prizes
Discuss –
Describe a challenge you and your partner came across in engineering or program for Sumo.
Describe successes you and your partner experienced in engineering or program for Sumo.
How did mass and center of gravity affect performance of robots in the competition?

 

Using the drive base with light sensor you already have, work through the Robot Educator tasks
Reverse                         Counselor initials: __________
detect dark line             Counselor initials: __________
detect touch                  Counselor initials: __________
sensor bumper              Counselor initials: __________
Accelerate                     Counselor initials: __________
curve turn                     Counselor initials: __________

Program your robot.  Remember to use switch commands (if sensor detects white, then robot can go forward/ if sensor detects black, then robot turns to stay within the boundaries)

Show A counselor that your robot can perform the tasks listed in the first task

Use trial and error to experiment with engineers and program to create the best robotic Sumo wrestler you can!