Bristlebots Driving Question: Can your team function successfully and build a mini- robot that is capable of navigating numerous mazes? Introduction to Bristlebots During this team building exercise you will be collaborating with your peers to design and build a robotic insect, also known as a Bristlebot, and a Maze (obstacle track). The Bristlebot you build will be put to the test by having to navigate through the Maze of opposing teams. General Objectives: Collaboration/Teamwork View videos about Bristlebots and build your robot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rustxuis_ys&desktop_uri=%2fwatch%3fv%3drustxuis_ys&app =desktop https://youtu.be/que8yeo72pw Build a Maze with your team that meets given guidelines. Combine your Maze with three other teams and develop a common theme for all 4 Mazes. Have your Bristlebot navigate through numerous mazes. Power Supply/Energy Transfer Problem Address Power Supply/Energy Transfer Problem and submit to Google Classroom. Authentic Audience Presentation Day - how well does your Bristlebot move through 4 different communities and a Straightaway. Document work for your website: Overview of Bristlebots - discuss learning objectives, standards, and activities (Professionally written, well- thought out) Gather pictures/videos as evidence of your teamwork. Response (or link) to Power Supply/Energy Transfer assignment.
Collaboration/Teamwork What are we Learning: You will be learning how to successfully function as a team to build a mini- robot and maze for the robot. How are we learning this topic: By performing the following 3 tasks. Standards being addressed: Collaboration Demonstrate ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams. Exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal. Assume shared responsibility for collaborative work and value the individual contributions made by each team member. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one- on- one, in groups, and teacher- led) with diverse partners and issues. (SL12.1) Task 1: Build Bristlebot Required Materials: vibrator motor from cell phone with wires attached, toothbrush, small battery, double- sided tape, and other unique design materials of your choice Remember, the team MUST design their Bristlebot to match the theme of their maze (see Task 2). Remember to document all steps of this process with pictures and videos. Task 2: Build Maze Theme of Maze Once teams are chosen, you will need to come up with a theme for your maze. This theme should be evident in the design of your Maze and Bristlebot. Your team members can bring in extra material if needed, such as: mini plastic animals, legos, blocks, candy, or Barbies. Theme Example: The Botfly Barbies should have Barbie throughout their maze and their Bristlebot should sort of resemble a Barbie doll. Designing the Maze Maze Criteria: Each team will design a maze with a given square. Each team will come up with a theme for the design of their maze. Maze walls must be spaces at least 4 inches apart from each other throughout the entire course. Maze wall must be 2 to 4 inches tall. Maze must include at least 2 smooth curves. There must be a minimum of 3 different obstacles that correlate with your team s theme. The Maze must be flat. Keep in mind that your Maze will be combined with three other Mazes. Task 3: Develop a Community of Mazes Community Criteria: Each Community will consist of 4 Mazes. Each Community will have to develop an overall Theme that combines the individual themes of the four separate Mazes.
Power Supply/Energy Transfer Problem What are we Learning: You will be learning about Einstein s famous quote Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another. How are we learning this topic: By conducting scientific research, you will address the problem below. Your response should be at least two professionally written paragraphs providing well- thought out answers OR a properly labeled concept- diagram that can be uploaded or scanned. Regardless of the option chosen, your response should (a) include evidence of the in- depth scientific research, (b) include citations of the scientific research, and (c) be submitted to Google Classroom by the due date. Standards being addressed: Background: The battery stores potential energy in the form of chemical bonds. When those chemical bonds are broken, electrons start moving and electrical energy is formed. That electrical energy, consisting of electrons running down the wires, creates kinetic motion (energy of motion) in the motor that is called mechanical energy. Heat energy is also created by the motor which is energy lost. Problem: Your battery no longer has any potential energy stored in it. What can you do to make your Bristlebot work? (Buying a new battery is not an option.) Explain the new energy transfer process. Design and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy. (HS- PS3-3) Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or presenting. (L12.1, 2)
Authentic Audience Bristlebot Competition Day Competition Day will consist of the following: Assessment of Bristlebot and Colony Themes. Completion of Straightaway Test. Record the time for the Straightaway Test. Completion of running your team s Bristlebot through numerous Communities (including your own). Record the time it takes to navigate through each Community. You must complete at least 4 Communities. Rules for Competition Day: You are allowed 3 nudges per Maze. After 3 nudges, you must start the Maze over. Report your time on the recording sheet. Community 1 Time Score: Community 2 Time Score: Community 3 Time Score: Community 4 Time Score: Straightaway Test Time Score: Competition Results Personal Website Document work for your website. Overview of Bristlebots - learning objectives, standards, activities Standards (Professionally written, well- thought out) (L12.1, 2) Gather pictures/videos as evidence of your teamwork. (Collaboration SL12.1) Response (or link) to Power Supply/Energy Transfer assignment. (HS- PS3-3 L12.1, 2) Teamwork Evaluation Each team will go through two teamwork evaluations. The Mid- Project Teamwork Evaluation that will take place sometime during the construction of the Bristlebot and Maze. The Final Teamwork Evaluation that will take place during the last 3 days of this project.
Calendar Tuesday, Sept 22 (PM) / Wednesday, Sept. 23 (AM) Introduction to Bristlebot Project Board and Specific Requirements Formation of Teams Wednesday, Sept. 23 (PM) / Thursday, Sept. 24 (AM) Work on Maze and Theme of Maze Thursday, Sept. 24 (PM) / Friday, Sept. 25 (AM) Work on Maze Monday, Sept. 28 (Both Sessions) Work on Maze and Bristlebot Tuesday, Sept. 29 Mid- Project Teamwork Evaluation Wednesday, Sept. 30 Mid- Project Teamwork Evaluation Thursday, Oct. 1 Friday, Oct. 2 Monday, Oct. 5 Tuesday, Oct. 6 Competition Day Wednesday, Oct. 7 Competition Day Submission of Power Supply/Energy Transfer Problem Thursday, Oct. 8 Completion of Website Final Teamwork Evaluation Friday, Oct. 9 Completion of Website Final Teamwork Evaluation