{"id":1035,"date":"2015-11-03T14:10:26","date_gmt":"2015-11-03T18:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/willistonblogs.com\/math\/?p=1035"},"modified":"2015-11-03T14:10:26","modified_gmt":"2015-11-03T18:10:26","slug":"mr-matthias-talks-robots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/willistonblogs.com\/math\/mr-matthias-talks-robots\/","title":{"rendered":"Mr. Matthias Talks Robots"},"content":{"rendered":"

This just in from Mr. Matthias!<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a>
The challenge Table<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Mathematics Department\u2019s Engineering & Robotics I course introduces students to the fundamentals of the engineering process, robots and robotics sensors, and the computer programming skills required to make robots interact with the world.<\/p>\n

This trimester\u2019s students have learned how to make their robots move in a straight line for a specific distance and how to make their robots execute swing and point turns for a specific number of degrees. With these foundational skills under their belts, it is time for the students to show-off their knowledge and have their skills assessed!<\/p>\n

In Engineering and Robotics I, major assessments rarely use traditional testing methods. Tests are called \u201cChallenges\u201d and present a three-dimensional environment in which the students\u2019 robots must successfully negotiate a \u201ctest course\u201d on the classroom\u2019s Challenge Table. Challenges are scored based on how accurately the students\u2019 robots accomplish their task on the Challenge Table and by the quality of the students\u2019 computer programs.<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a>
The Mindstorms Robot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Students are now working on the \u201cLabyrinth Challenge\u201d as their first major assessment. The Challenge\u2019s goal is to have the robot move from the red start line (on the lower right) into the black and red goal box (upper center). Along the way, the robot must travel to each of the three red crosses. To achieve this goal requires the students\u2019 robots to combine a series of highly accurate, straight-ahead movements with precise 90-degree point turns executed on each of the red crosses.<\/p>\n

The following video<\/a> shows the students practicing on the Challenge Table as they develop the computer programs.<\/p>\n