The students' level of engagement ramped up when I brought in a robotics table (the kind used in the FLL) and built the Apple Orchard Challenge right before there eyes. The curriculum called for black electrical tape, but I did not want to have to hem and haw about whether it counted or not if one wheel crossed the tape etc. Using some cardboard aluminum foil tubes, different colored post-it notes and tape, I created a more 'realistic' orchard. I also figured the kids would enjoy it more if they hit something rather than simply motored over the black tape. The Mandarin teacher, a great friend of mine, helped me 'plant' the 'trees' on the cardboard tubes and suggested I make them fruit trees. I love collaboration!
The video above was of the first group to get down the last row. So close they were. Eventually, all five groups completed the challenge. There was definitely some frustration along the way as the students realized that starting the robot in a slightly different position could throw angles and distances off and cause a crash into the trees as shown below. They persisted, over and over and over again. Give kids challenges and they persevere.
You may have noticed one robot moving much slower than the others. That was Orange Blossom, named for the colored tape on the robot. Paige and Eve decided to take a more slow and steady approach in programming their robot than the other four groups. This elicited sighs of impatience as the other students had to wait for their turn on the board. Emily, a member of the second group to complete the challenge, watched Orange Blossom seemingly stroll through the orchard as if looking for an apple to pick and quipped, "That is such a thoughtful robot." Knowing what she might I asked her why because I wanted to hear it from her. "Because it is moving so slowly." Ahh, so there are benefits to moving slowly. Maybe this realization could be applied to other aspects of school and life. If I haven't written it yet, I am now. Kids learn so much more than robotics in a robotics course.
On to sensors. A student already gave me an idea for a theme song for this unit.
Stay tuned and thanks for reading.
