Weston Middle School
Technology/EngineeringCourse Materials
Lego NxT Roboticst-Amusement
Park Challenge
You are to design, build, and program a mechanical ride that would be found in an amusement park
The structure must:
- Move one or more mechanisms such as turntables, winches, merry-go rounds, etc.
- Have at least 3 phases to its operation. Steps may include responding to a standard Lego vehicle( supplied).
- Make sounds( verbal, music, beeps, etc) while movements are taking place
- Respond to at least 2 stimuli such as light, touch, ultrasound, or microphone. 10 points for each stimulus utilized. (30 maximum).
Research possibilities before deciding- see Gallery Page
Options include:
- Ticket- operated Gate
- Roller Coaster
- Playground Equipment
- Winch
- Elevator
- Robotic Pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean
- Crane
- Lighthouse
- Rube Goldberg Apparatus:
- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amusement_ride for more ideas.
For mechanisms, ideas may be obtained at: http://www.flying-pig.co.uk/mechanisms/
Basic Mechanisms include:
- Crank(claw)
- Turntable- for rotating large objects
- Cam- makes things go up and down
- Pulley- for moving things long distances
- Mechanical Arm
- Worm Gear- for gearing down
- Lever- for movement and changing speed of motion( throwing arm)
See also Youtube videos at http://www.weston.org/schools/ms/technology/robotics/gallery.htm
Programming Hints: Basic behavior of creature could be controlled by conditional behavior loops controlled by light sensors or timers, with sounds in parallel sequence bars.
It is critical that you describe behavior first (algorithm) before writing code.
Program simple behaviors first, then gradually add complexity.
Scoring:
- Proposal: 10 points
- Journal Entries- 10 points
- Programming: 30 points (includes both algorithm and final program)- see sample
- Project: 30 points, with bonus points for artistic merit
- Report: 10 points
- 10 minute Group Presentation
Links
gion5Revised
January 2011 by Jonathan Dietz,
dietzj@mail.weston.org