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Great Ball Contraption -Great Ball Contraption -A Fun Way to LearnA Fun Way to Learn

Maths, Science and D&TMaths, Science and D&T

By Dr C S [email protected]

LE Conf 2007 Make robotics the Fifth R 2

Objective

• The GBC as a combination of variousmechanical and electrical devices, canbe used to learn Maths, Science andD&T in a fun way.

• The GBC teaches students the benefitsof co-operation, collaboration,communication and co-ordination toenhance robotics learning.


GBC - the concept

• The GBC is the idea of SteveHassenplug, a well-known personality inthe LUGNET community.

• The concept stems from a Rube-Goldberg style contraption, only it isdone with LEGO parts.


GBC - What is it?

• A Great Ball Contraption (GBC) consistsof a series of modules using varioustypes of mechanisms to transfer LEGOsoccer balls from one module to anotherin a never-ending fashion.

• It is difficult to describe a GBCadequately, you really have to see, andhear, one for yourself.


GBCVer 1.0


GBC Video

• Show video clip– long GBC2: gbcv2.mpg (3.47)


GBC Standards

Basic moduleLinear

Turns


GBC - it’s all up to you

• How complicated a way can youtransfer LEGO soccer balls from onebasket to another?

• Can you do it with or without anRCX/NXT controller?

• However you want to do this is entirelyup to you.


Mechanisms

• Chain lift• Conveyor• Marble pump• Ferris wheels• Shooter• Archimedes screw

• Scissor lift• Step feeder• Elevator• Ramps• Chutes• Funnel


And more Mechanisms

• Ski-jump• Loop: roller-coaster• Sorters• Pegboards• Flip-flops• Train

• Dumptruck• Forklift• Clockers/Smoothers• Counters• Garbage collecting• Turntable scrambler

Rolling Ball DisplayRolling Ball DisplayClockClock

A GBC in Detail


Inspiration

A Rolling Ball DisplayClock by Helge Rustadan electronic engineerwho lives in Trondheim,Norway.This one is built mainly ofwood.


Overview

In this contraption, twoGBC modules arelinked together

- Chain lift

- Rolling Ball DisplayClock


Chain Lift: Ball intake


Ball input to clockA new ballarrives every 2minutes.

Normally, anRCX is usedto keep time.

But for demo,we speed upthe clock a bit.


Timing Arms

1st arm counts 2 mins x 5 =10 mins2nd arm counts 10 mins x 6= 60 mins or 1 hr3rd arm counts 1 hr x 6 = 6hrs4th arm counts 6 hrs x 4 =24 hrs.

Got it?


Return TrackAt 24:00 hrs(midnight), allthe balls willclatter down androll into the inputbasket.

Kids love towatch this.

Me, too!

Of what use is theOf what use is theRolling Ball ClockRolling Ball Clock

besides telling the time?


Thematic Discussion: Time

• What is time?• Why do we need to keep time?• Methods of keeping time: heart-beat,

sun, water, sand, mechanical, digital,atomic, RCX, NXT, etc.

• Arrow of time, time travel and othermysteries.


Alien NumeracyAn alien from a distantplanet has hands asshown.In what number basewould the alien count?a) 3b) 4c) 7d) all the abovee) none of the above


The Lesson

Getting kids to thinkthinkis more importantthan giving themthe ‘right’‘right’ answers.


Maths• The Rolling Ball Display Clock (RBDC) is a digital

counter• It counts in different bases (5,6,6,4 in this case)• It does multiplication, too viz.

1st arm: 1 x 5 = 52nd arm: 5 x 6 = 303rd arm: 30 x 6 = 1804th arm: 180 x 4 = 720

• Thus the RBDC will count to 720 before it resets.


Maths Quiz

What is the minimum number ofLEGO soccer balls you need forthe Rolling Ball Display Clock?


Science

• Energy conversion• Potential energy, kinetic energy• Momentum• Friction• Levers• Moment of inertia


D&T

• Form and function• Building strong structures• Using various mechanisms• Timing Arms - getting the correct

balance• RCX or NXT as time-keeper


Ball input design prototype


Timing Arm prototype


D&T Challenge

• Build a RBDC that uses a differentarrangement of timing arms.

• If you do not have the LEGO soccerballs, build a RBDC that uses regulartable tennis (ping-pong) balls. Theseare easier to come by.

• That will keep you busy for quite awhile.


Other configuration


And continuation

A GBC project isopen ended.

It is never quitefinished.

You can alwaysadd anothermodule.


GBC Benefits

• Unlike participating in competitions, a GBC isa collaborative activity encouraging theexchange of ideas and building inter-relationships among the students.

• Students have their own co-operativelearning group, and each group mustcommunicate and co-ordinate with the othergroups to accomplish the task of designingand building a total system.


4Cs of robotics learning4Cs of robotics learning

• A GBC project will teach students toappreciate the benefits of the 4Cs4Cs– co-operation– collaboration– communication &– co-ordination

• to enhance robotics learning.

Q & AQ & A

By Dr C S [email protected]

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