teaching stem using lego underwater robots · teaching stem using lego® underwater robots....
TRANSCRIPT
Teaching STEM usingLEGO® Underwater Robots
Mercedes McKay
The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science EducationStevens Institute of Technology
About Stevens / CIESE
WaterBotics in ActionOn the surface and underwater
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC4brbxNugc
What is WaterBotics?• Underwater ROVs (Remotely
Operated Vehicles) created with LEGO materials
• Approximately 20-26 hour curriculum aimed at middle and high school classes as well as summer camps and after-school programs
• Developed, piloted, and implemented with thousands of students in U.S. through National Science Foundation funding
Why Underwater Robotics?• Presents unique, complex design
challenges not found in land-based projects (e.g. buoyancy, control in 3-D)
• Exposure to science concepts like propulsion, drag, buoyancy and stability, gearing, torque, speed, and thrust
• Awareness of careers that involve STEM skills
Why LEGOs?
• Familiarity with LEGOs
• Ease of use and durability
• Variety of pieces
• Rapid prototyping, testing, and
redesign
• Can leverage prior purchases of
LEGO equipment
NXT & EV3 (coming soon!)
What do you use?
Project Challenge
Create an ROV that will be able to:
• Dive under the water
• Move around in 3 dimensions in a fully controlled manner
• Pick up weighted whiffle balls and deposit themin sunken bins
Mission 1: Rescue!• Build a robot that can travel forward and
backward on the surface of the water
• Optimize gearing to improve speed and/or control
• Use the robot to save a “drowning swimmer”
Mission 1Example Achievements
Mission 2: Clean Up!
• Add steering and two-dimensional movement
• Maneuver the robot on the surface of the water to clean up an oil spill
Mission 3: Mine Sweep!
• Engineer a buoyant and stable robot that can dive under the water
• Detonate or disable underwater “mines” to make a shipping lane safe
Mission 4: Collect!
• Produce an ROV that can retrievesamples from a sunken ship
• Optionally, create a mechanism to grab and release the objects
Program a Custom Remote
Key Concepts and Skills
Buoyancy Stability
Newton’s Laws Propulsion
Gear Ratios Inertia
Forces Torque
Volume Density
Programming Troubleshooting
Iterative Design Team Building
Next Generation Science Stds
SCIENCE• PS2.A: Forces and Motion• PS2.C: Stability and Instability in
Physical Systems
ENGINEERING• ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting
Engineering Problems• ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions• ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution
ISTE Standards
STUDENTS1. Creativity and Innovationthrough iterative engineering design process
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making through mission-based, real-world application of underwater robotics
TEACHERS1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativitythrough authentic problem-solving, collaboration and recognition of achievements
Implementation Approaches
In School
• Within a graded course• Standards to be met• School restrictions (pool)• In a required course
o Higher learning curveo Better girl / boy ratioo More inexperienced students
• In an elective courseo More flexible wrt standardso Higher initial enthusiasmo More boys, more experienced students
Out of School
• Summer camp or after-school• More flexibility• Can use full project time• More focus on enthusiasm and
experience rather than grades• Can be tailored for specific
audiences, such as an all-girl camp or an outreach program
• Can be intense; need breaks and icebreakers
In school or out of school?
Implementation Considerations• Pool setup • Room configuration and access to computers• Educator prior experience with robotics and
technology• Equipment needs per group• Costs of materials
Why Implement WaterBotics?• Excellent at teaching engineering and inspiring STEM
interest• Real World Contexts• Scaffolded Learning• Mission Achievements• Promotes iterative design by using LEGOs • Driven by Collaboration• Flexible Implementation• Detailed Curriculum Guide• Few Consumables • 53% of Participants have been Female
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UxhmwkFk40&feature=youtu.be
WaterBotics Overview
