Hacienda Robotics Program

	Lessons

This page presents an overview of the material covered in the Hacienda Robotics program. Some teams follow this outline closely while others cover the material in a different order. Parents, kids and coaches can use the material presented here to learn the concepts they will need to increase their enjoyment of LEGO robotics and to be successful in the FIRST LEGO League challenge. Note: This page is a work in progress. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Introduction Overview Rules Notebooks First notebook assignment [PDF] Class notes Team member survey Team name Construction Parts Bricks Plates Beams Pegs Connectors Axles Bushings, pulleys and wheels Gears Activities: Build the coat hanger daredevil from "LEGO Crazy Action Contraptions" Build a miniature bi-ped walker Notebook: Class notes Identify the parts used to build the coat hanger daredevil and bi-ped walker Optional: Advanced construction Activity: build a Technic model from instructions Notebook: Class notes List three things you learned from building the Technic model Bracing Activity: build a tank drive robot. Notebook [PDF] Class notes Propose at least two different names for the robot you built (we will vote on which one the team likes most at the beginning of the next meeting) Count the number of bracings used in the robot you built. Write a brief description of why each bracing is used. Programming Concepts RCX Programming elements (building blocks) Mindstorms vs. Robolab Robolab program blocks Functions Wait For Structures Modifiers Container Notebook: Class notes Identify various Robolab program blocks Controlling motors Activity: use dead reckoning to navigate your robot through an obstacle course Notebook: Class notes In class: copy the obstacle course program to your notebook At home: complete the other two forms of program documentation (plain English and pseudo-code) for the obstacle course program Subroutines Activity: use subroutines (SubVIs) to simplify the obstacle course program you wrote in the previous lesson. Notebook: Class notes Variables Activity: use variables to specify values in a dead reckoning program Notebook: Class notes Rewrite the dead reckoning program (in English and pseudo-code) using variables instead of fixed values Conditionals Activity: use a random number generator and conditional statement to move the robot in different directions Notebook: Class notes Write English and pseudo-code versions of the conditional program Loops Activity: use a loop and counter to make the robot do a sequence of steps a certain number of times Notebook: Class notes Write English and pseudo-code versions of the loop program Advanced Programming Concepts Documenting programs in plain English Writing pseudo-code Robolab code Putting it all together Activity: solve the windmill mission from the 2002 City Sights Challenge by going around the right hand side of the bridge (trees will be removed) Notebook: Class notes - summarize what you learned by solving the Windmill mini-challenge Sensors Touch sensors Bumpers Normally open Normally closed Activity: build a bumper and use it to detect a wall Notebook: Class notes Light sensors, part 1 - line detection How a light sensor works Testing light sensors Line detection Activities Use the light sensor test program and the View command on the RCX to examine real time values of the light sensors Write a line detection program Notebook: [PDF] Class notes Describe a real-world item that uses a mechanism similar to the LEGO light sensor Describe one situation where using line detection would be useful to you Light sensors, part 2 - line following with one light sensor Line following using a single sensor Activity: write a line following program using one light sensor Notebook: Class notes Light sensors, part 3 - line following with two light sensors Line following using two light sensors Three different configurations Following an edge Following a line Straddling a line Activity: write a line following program using two light sensors Notebook: Class notes Determine which two light sensor configuration works best for different line conditions Rotation sensors Activities: Measure the performance of all motors in your kit (with and without load, full powered and coasting) Use the rotation sensor to accurately measure position Notebook: Class notes Stacking sensors Activity: stack a touch and light sensor on the same input port and right a program that responds intelligently to each one Notebook: Class notes Gears Gear types, sizes and ratios Standard gears Bevel gears Crown gears Worm gears Differential gears Idler gears Activities: Build the Never-Look-Back Machine from "LEGO Crazy Action Contraptions" Build a "face counter" variation based on the Never-Look-Back Machine Notebook: Class notes Calculate the gear ratio of various gear trains add a differential gear to your tank drive robot that drives a rotation sensor Drivetrains, part 2 - dual differential drive Activity: build a dual differential drive robot Notebook: Class notes Drivetrains, part 3 - steering drive (optional) Tricycle vs. steering/drive Activity: build a steering drive robot Advanced Robotics Concepts Navigation Dead reckoning Rotation counting Line detection Wall detection Following a line Following a wall Robotic arms

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