6. Independent Research Project (IRP)

Using their knowledge from these Units and Projects, groups of students will research and design their own robot to complete a challenge (of the teacher's choosing). Similar to a real-world Engineering project scenario, students will undergo Design Reviews and a Final Presentation of their project. 

Suggested Total Time: 4-6 weeks

Sample Pacing Guide: 

• Week 1 - Introduction to Project, Research, Approval to begin 

• Week 2 - Project Work Time

• Week 3 - Project Work Time, Preliminary Design Review

• Week 4 - Project Work Time

• Week 5 - Critical Design Review, Project Work Time

• Week 6 - Final tweaks and testing, Final Presentation

Preface

Your group will be exploring, researching, and designing a chosen Project. This Project can be anything you want it to be in relation to the robotics platform system. 

The project must cover: 

• Mechanical Systems 

• Programming Challenge 

Materials

• Robotics Kit 

• Coding Software

• Any additional materials must be requested and approved by the teacher 

Sample Project Ideas

• Automated Rube Goldberg Machine

• Elevator using sensors 

• Arcade Game 

• Home care robot (Laundry sorting robot, Clothes folding robot, etc.) 

• Vending Machine

• Color Ball Sorter Machine

• Any others you can research and come up with! 

IRP Guidelines

Your group will be writing a set of project guidelines for yourself on a word editing document.

This includes: 

• Title of the Project

• Description of your project

• Team member responsibilities 

• Goals of Mechanical System 

• Goals of Coding challenge 

• 3 Homework Assignments

• Timeline of project milestones and goals 

Your group can start working on the project once you have received approval from the teacher on your IRP Guidelines. 

Preliminary Design Review (PDR) 

Teacher will determine the date of the PDR for all the groups. Suggested to schedule PDR two weeks after the start of the IRP. 

A PDR is a review of the current work progress you have completed. A PDR is a reflection of what you have done so far and what work you still have to complete. Also list any modifications you have to your project guidelines. 

Critical Design Review (CDR) 

Teacher will determine the date of the CDR for all the groups. Suggested to schedule CDR two weeks after the PDR. 

A CDR is a review of your almost finished work. A CDR is a reflection of what you have completed so far. When completing a CDR, you are almost done with your work at this point, there should be a small list of items that still need to be completed. No modifications should be done to your project guidelines at this point. 

IRP Final Presentation

Teacher will determine the date of the Final Presentation for all the groups. Suggested to schedule Final Presentation 1 week after CDR. 

Each group will conduct a Final Presentation of their chosen IRP topic. The Final Presentation may also include a Powerpoint or Google Slides (up to the teacher's discretion). The Presentation will cover all steps of the Engineering Design Process, Mechanical Systems, and Programming Challenge.