Grade 5

STREAM Project

Challenge Title: "SphereBot Race: Wheel and Axle Extravaganza"

Challenge Overview:

Combine the classic wheel and axle simple machine with modern robotics by designing and building a SphereBot—a spherical robot that utilizes the wheel and axle system. Your challenge is to create an innovative and agile SphereBot that can navigate a challenging course, showcasing the principles of the wheel and axle in a dynamic and futuristic context.

Objective:

Design, build, and program a SphereBot that incorporates a wheel and axle system to navigate a challenging course. Your creation should not only demonstrate the functionality of the wheel and axle but also highlight the integration of robotics and programming.

Materials:

Participants are provided with a robotics kit containing components such as a spherical chassis, motorized wheels, and programming tools (e.g., Blockly, or text-based coding languages).

Rules and Guidelines:

• Wheel and Axle Integration: The SphereBot must prominently feature a wheel and axle system. Clearly identify how this simple machine is integrated into the robot's design.

Design Criteria:

a. Agility: The SphereBot should be able to navigate a predefined course that includes turns, obstacles, and challenges.

• b. Programming: Participants are required to program the SphereBot to perform specific maneuvers. Programming should demonstrate an understanding of the wheel and axle's role in the robot's movement.

• Course Challenges: Design a challenging course that requires the SphereBots to showcase their agility and responsiveness. Include elements that test turning ability, obstacle avoidance, and precision navigation.

• Size Limitations: Establish size limitations for the SphereBots to ensure fair testing and comparison.

• Presentation: Participants will present their SphereBots to the group. The presentation should include an explanation of how the wheel and axle system is integrated, the programming logic behind the robot's movements, and any creative elements.

• Testing and Race: SphereBots will be put to the test on the designated course. The challenge culminates in a race where SphereBots compete against each other to complete the course in the shortest time.

Judging Criteria:

a. Agility: How well does the SphereBot navigate the course, demonstrating the wheel and axle's effectiveness?

b. Programming Skill: How well is the SphereBot programmed to perform specific maneuvers?

• c. Creativity: Bonus points will be awarded for creative design elements and innovative programming approaches.

• Time Frame: Set a specific timeframe for the construction phase, programming, testing, and final presentation.

This challenge combines the principles of the wheel and axle with robotics and programming, providing a multidimensional STEM experience. 

ISTE Standards:

• 1a: Empowered Learner - Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving, and demonstrating competency in their learning goals.

• 4a: Innovative Designer - Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful, or imaginative solutions.

• 4b: Innovative Designer - Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.

• 5a: Computational Thinker - Students formulate problem definitions suited for technology-assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models, and algorithmic thinking in exploring and finding solutions.

• 5b: Computational Thinker - Students collect data or identify relevant data sets, use digital tools to analyze them, and represent data in various ways to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making.

• 6a: Creative Communicator - Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.

• 7a: Global Collaborator - Students use digital tools to connect with learners from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, engaging with them in ways that broaden mutual understanding and learning.

Title: Sphero Maze Explorer Challenge

Objective:

• Students will program their Sphero robots to navigate through a maze successfully.

Title: Sphero Maze Explorer Challenge

Objective:

• Students will program their Sphero robots to navigate through a maze successfully.

Materials:

• Sphero robots

• Maze structure (you can use cardboard, tape, or other materials to create a maze on the floor)

• Tablets or computers with the Sphero Edu app installed

• Markers for starting and finishing points

Challenge Steps:

1. Maze Design:

• Set up a maze on the floor using cardboard walls, tape, or any other materials you have available. The maze should have different sections, turns, and challenges to make it interesting.

2. Starting and Finishing Points:

• Mark a clear starting point and a finishing point within the maze.

3. Introduction to Sphero Edu:

• Briefly introduce students to the Sphero Edu app on the tablets or computers.

4. Programming Basics:

• Provide a quick tutorial on programming Sphero using the Sphero Edu app. Cover basic commands such as roll, change color, and wait.

5. Sphero Exploration:

• Allow students some time to explore how the Sphero moves and responds to commands.

6. Programming Challenge:

• Divide students into small groups and assign each group a Sphero robot.

• Challenge each group to program their Sphero to navigate through the maze from the starting point to the finishing point.

7. Programming Constraints:

• Add complexity by imposing constraints, such as requiring the Sphero to change color when it reaches certain points in the maze or pausing for a few seconds before proceeding.

8. Test and Iterate:

• Have each group test their program in the actual maze.

• Encourage students to iterate and modify their code to overcome challenges they encounter.

9. Peer Sharing and Collaboration:

• After testing, have groups share their coding strategies and solutions with the class.

• Encourage collaboration and discussion on different approaches to solve the maze challenge.

10. Maze Showdown:

• Organize a "Maze Showdown" where each group gets a chance to showcase their Sphero navigating the maze. Time them and see which group completes the challenge the fastest.

11. Reflection:

• Facilitate a reflection session where students discuss what they learned, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them.

ISTE Standards:

• ISTE Standard: Computational Thinker

• ISTE Standard: Creative Communicator

• ISTE Standard: Global Collaborator

This Sphero maze challenge not only engages students in programming and robotics but also promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Objective: Design and program a Sphero robot to use a lever mechanism to launch an object with precision and accuracy.

Materials:

• Sphero robot

• Cardboard or other materials for creating a lever

• Various crafting materials (markers, glue, tape, land egos)

• Mobile device with the Sphero Edu app installed

Challenge Steps:

• Introduction (ISTE Standard: 1a, 6a, 7a):

  • Begin with an introduction to simple machines, focusing on the lever.

  • Discuss the role of levers in everyday life and their application in engineering.

  • Explain the challenge: design and program a Sphero robot to use a lever to launch a small object with precision.

• Design and Planning (ISTE Standard: 4a, 4b):

  • Provide time for students to brainstorm and sketch their lever designs.

  • Encourage them to consider the length of the lever, placement of the fulcrum, and the angle of launch.

  • Discuss how they will attach the Sphero to the lever and ensure stability.

• Building the Lever (ISTE Standard: 4a, 4b):

  • Students build their levers using provided materials.

  • Emphasize the importance of a stable fulcrum and the need for a lightweight yet sturdy construction.

• Sphero Programming (ISTE Standard: 5a, 5b):

  • Introduce students to the basics of programming the Sphero robot using the Sphero Edu app.

  • Instruct them to create a program that coordinates with the lever's movement to launch the object at a specified target.

• Testing and Iteration (ISTE Standard: 4a, 6a):

  • Students test their Sphero lever systems, making adjustments to achieve better accuracy and precision.

  • Encourage them to iterate on both the lever design and the Sphero's programming to optimize performance.

• Collaboration and Communication (ISTE Standard: 6a, 7a):

  • Facilitate discussions among students, encouraging them to share their experiences, challenges, and successful strategies.

  • Emphasize the importance of effective communication in troubleshooting and refining their designs.

• Reflection (ISTE Standard: 7a):

  • Conclude the challenge with a reflection session.

  • Have students discuss what worked well, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them.

  • Connect the experience to real-world applications of engineering and problem-solving.

ISTE Standards:

• 1a: Empowered Learner - Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving, and demonstrating competency in their learning goals.

• 4a: Innovative Designer - Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful, or imaginative solutions.

• 4b: Innovative Designer - Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.

• 5a: Computational Thinker - Students formulate problem definitions suited for technology-assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models, and algorithmic thinking in exploring and finding solutions.

• 5b: Computational Thinker - Students collect data or identify relevant data sets, use digital tools to analyze them, and represent data in various ways to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making.

• 6a: Creative Communicator - Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.

• 7a: Global Collaborator - Students use digital tools to connect with learners from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, engaging with them in ways that broaden mutual understanding and learning.