Robot Soccer Challenge
Posted on June 19th, 2014 by Mary Lord
Activity courtesy of Teachengineering.org. Contributed by the GK-12 Program, Computational Neurobiology Center, College of Engineering, University of Missouri.
Note: This activity is part of a curricular unit on robot design challenges.
Grade level: Grades 4-8
Time: 50 minutes
Summary
In this activity, students in grades 4 to 8 learn how two LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT intelligent bricks can be programmed so that one can remotely control the other. They examine how the programs and devices work in tandem, gaining skills as they play “robot soccer.”
Learning outcomes
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain how two robots can be individually programmed to use Bluetooth technology to interact with each other.
Engineering connection
Programming two robots to send and receive messages from each other and act accordingly is a fairly involved task. Engineers designed Bluetooth Smart technology—a wireless communication system that supports this type of messaging—to perform tasks such as sending your heart rate stats to your smartphone. Before Bluetooth technology, engineers developed other means of remote communication using radio waves to control remote devices, such as radio-controlled vehicles. The Mars Rover is one example of how advanced remote communication technology and robots have become.
Software engineers play a key role in developing programs that enable remote communication to control the Mars Rover. Understanding how these programs works challenges students to think carefully about the logic used in a remote control program and strengthens their abilities to confront difficult tasks systematically.
Learning Standards
International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
- Standard 8. Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design.
- Standard 11. Students will develop abilities to apply the design process.
- Standard 17. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use information and communication technologies.
- Standard 1. Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics and scope of technology.
- Standard 3. Students will develop an understanding of the relationships among technologies and the connections between technology and other fields of study.
Next Generation Science Standards
- Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. (Grades 3 – 5)
- Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. (Grades 3 – 5)
- Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved. (Grades 3 – 5)
- Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. (Grades 6 – 8)
- Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. (Grades 6 – 8)
- Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success. (Grades 6 – 8)
- Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. (Grades 6 – 8)
Materials
For each group:
- LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robot and software, available for $376 as the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT Base Set and Software Pack, part #5003404 (includes programmable NXT intelligent brick; 3 interactive servo motors; sound, light, ultrasonic and 2 touch sensors; and many other components and instructions). Available at LEGO Education for the software, single licenses and site licenses are available from LEGO Education; site licenses may make more sense for schools with high use.
- A second NXT intelligent brick, to serve as the remote control device
- Computer with the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT Software 2.1 installed
- Controller.rbt and Receiver.rbt programs, installed on the computer
- Robot Soccer Challenge Pre-Quiz, one per student
- Robot Soccer Challenge Post-Quiz, one per student
To share with the entire class:
- Robot Soccer Challenge Presentation, Microsoft® PowerPoint® file
- Computer with Internet connection and projector, to show the presentation and a short online video
- Measuring tape or ruler, to measure miniature soccer fields
- Black electrical tape, to create miniature soccer playing field(s) on the floor
- 2-3 small balls to use to play “robot soccer,” such as 1- to 2-in diameter rubber “bouncy” balls or ping pong balls; recommended quantity: 1 ball for every 4 student groups
Introduction/Motivation
Have you ever sent a text to a friend using a cell phone? Texting has become so commonplace that you might think it’s funny that I even asked! When you text someone, you are essentially using a “program” on your cell phone that enables you to text. This program uses communications between cell phones to pass that message to your friend’s cell phone. Engineers have designed this method of communication for you!
Do you think that you can communicate with a robot in this way? Is it possible for you to control a robot by using a remote electronic device? Engineers have designed a technology called “Bluetooth” to help you communicate with robots. Today, you will learn how engineers have designed Bluetooth to be programmed so that you can communicate between two NXT robots!
Remote-controlled Lego NXT battle tank
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zohDeKxXUPo&feature=youtu.be&t=1m[/youtube]
Procedure
Before the Activity
- Gather materials and make copies of the Robot Soccer Challenge Pre-Quiz, Robot Soccer Challenge Worksheet and Robot Soccer Challenge Post-Quiz, one each per student. The quizzes and their answers are also embedded in the presentation, so they can be presented to the class as a whole, if desired.
- Assemble the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT taskbots by following instructions in the base set or at http://www.nxtprograms.com/five_minute_bot/steps.html. Each group needs an NXT brick to serve as the “controller” (the remote control device) and an assembled taskbot with its NXT brick to serve as the “receiver.”
- Find a clear space on a smooth floor where one or more small-scale soccer fields can be set up for the NXT robots. Either prepare the fields and goals in advance of the class, or have students create them as part of the activity. Use black tape to create the field boundaries and end goals (see a diagram of a typical soccer field on slide 24). The game is just for fun, so no specific dimensions exist for field or goal size or scoring.
- Use the Robot Soccer Challenge Presentation, a PowerPoint® file, to teach and conduct the activity. Set up a computer/projector to show the presentation to the class.
- Arrange for enough computers so you have one for each student group. Make sure each computer has the LEGO software and the Controller.rbt and Receiver.rbt programs loaded. No programming is necessary for this challenge
With the Students: Robot Soccer Challenge
- Administer the pre-quiz (also on slide 2 with answers on slides 3-4) and discuss the answers as a class after students have filled out the sheets.
- Use slides 5-6 to introduce the activity challenge: To program two NXT robots (a “controller” and a “receiver”) so that one can be used to remotely control the other via a wireless Bluetooth connection. Review the challenge objectives and answer any questions. Show students a 1:58-minute “LEGO NXT Battle Tank (Remote Controlled)” YouTube video of a boy using one NXT brick (the “controller”) to remotely control an NXT taskbot (the “receiver”) (link on slide 6 and in the Additional Multimedia Support section).
- Divide the class into groups of three student each, and distribute the worksheets.
- Go through Part 1: Understanding the Programs (slides 7-13), which outlines how the two programs work, providing details about how they are written to enable two NXTs to interact so that one remotely controls the other. Have students complete the worksheet during this time. Slides 8-9 provide a review of the concepts of electrical connections and Bluetooth with the NXT. Slide 10 provides an overview: Two NXTs are needed—one serving as the controller and the other as the receiver. In response to certain buttons being pushed, the controller sends messages via Bluetooth. The receiver gets those messages via Bluetooth, and responds by some movement, as determined by its programming. Then present the details about what the controller program needs to do (slide 11) and how the receiver program needs to respond (slide 12), which are summarized on slide 13.
- Present Part 2: Running the Programs! (slides 14-21), which explains how to download and run the programs. First go through the instructions for how to change the receiving NXTs’ names to something unique so that they are easily recognizable and do not cause confusion when they are all using Bluetooth at the same time (slides 15-18). Then direct students to download the controller and receiver programs onto their computers; these programs are provided for the students so no programming is necessary for this challenge. The controller program (Controller.rbt) goes on the NXT to be used as a remote control, while the receiver program (Receiver.rbt) goes on an NXT on a taskbot that can move. Make sure that students follow the downloading instructions (slides 19-21) carefully and in the order presented.
- Give students some time to test out the controller/receiver programs and practice remotely controlling their taskbots.
- Once four groups have had practice using their remote controlled taskbots, challenge them to work together to play “robot soccer,” which means trying to remotely control their robots in order to push a small ball into a goal. If not already prepared by the teacher, have students use black tape on an open floor area to create the boundaries of a miniature soccer field with goals. Remind students that the game is for fun, so no specific rules exist for field and goal size and the score of the game does not matter! As additional groups becomes ready, have them work together to play robot soccer, too.
- As a class, discuss the activity, giving students the opportunity to share what they learned and any observations, problems or questions. What would happen if we didn’t tell the program what to do for a certain button or what to do if no buttons were pushed? What would happen if you changed the program so when the receiver receives “3,” it turns the robot left instead of right? (So pushing the right arrow button causes the robot to turn left!) How do programming decisions like this affect the user experience with the “game?” What other decisions like this must software programmers think about carefully? What ideas do you have for how you might change the programming to accomplish different tasks using two NXT bricks?
- Administer the post-quiz (also on slide 22 with answers on slide 23) and review the answers as a class. Slide 24 presents vocabulary words and definitions, as well as a diagram of a typical soccer field.
Assessments
Pre-Activity Assessment
Pre-Quiz: Before starting the activity, administer the two-question Robot Soccer Challenge Pre-Quiz by handing out paper copies (also on slide 2). Review students’ answers to gauge their base knowledge of Bluetooth using wireless electrical connections with NXT robots. The answers are provided on the Robot Soccer Challenge Pre-Quiz Answer Key (and slides 3-4).
Activity Embedded Assessment
Worksheet: As students work through the activity, have them answer the questions provided on the Robot Soccer Challenge Worksheet. Observe students to make sure they are engaged and completing their worksheets. Collect the worksheets at activity end and review students’ observations and answers to gauge their depth of comprehension. The answers are provided on the Robot Soccer Challenge Worksheet Answer Key.
Robot Soccer: Expect students to be able to explain conceptually how the program works. In addition, expect them be able to correctly control the robot. Assess each group’s performance in the activity using the following rubric (maximum 30 points).
- When asked how the program broadly works, students explain that the NXT “controller” sends messages via Bluetooth that are received and then interpreted by the NXT “receiver” taskbot. They can also explain the numerical message that is sent based on what button is being pressed. (15 points maximum)
- Students demonstrate that they are able to use the NXT “controller” to deliberately move the “receiver” taskbot forward, left and right, as directed. (15 points maximum)
Post-Activity Assessment
Concluding Discussion: At activity end, lead a class discussion so students can share their observations, difficulties, questions and conclusions. Use this opportunity to gauge student comprehension.
Post-Quiz: At activity end, administer the three-question Robot Soccer Challenge Post-Quiz by handing out paper copies (also slide 22). Review students’ answers to assess their individual understanding of the program logic. The answers are provided on the Robot Soccer Challenge Post-Quiz Answer Key (and slide 23).
Additional resources
- During the presentation, show students the 1:58-minute “LEGO NXT Battle Tank (Remote Controlled)” YouTube video of a boy using one NXT brick (the “controller”) to remotely control an NXT taskbot (the “receiver”)
- NXT robots and sensors: LEGO MINDSTORMS overview includes downloadable, free software to control the EV3 robot.
- Instructions to assemble the LEGO “Five Minute Bot”
- 2014 World Cup Resources from the PBS NewsHour, on PBSLearningMedia.org, includes a video about the controversy in Brazil over hosting the World Cup and related lessons tied to national history standards and Common Core English language arts standards.
- Technology of the 2014 World Cup Infographic from Popular Science showing the goal-line tech and other advances on display in Brazil.
Contributors: Riaz Helfer, Sachin Nair, Pranit Samarth, Satish S. Nair
Copyright © 2014 by Regents of the University of Colorado; original © 2013 Curators of the University of Missouri
Supporting Program: GK-12 Program, Computational Neurobiology Center, College of Engineering, University of Missouri. This curriculum was developed under National Science Foundation GK-12 grant no. DGE 0440524. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8
Tags: Class Activities, Electrical Engineering, Grades 6-8, LEGOS, Lesson Plans, programming, Robotics, soccer, software engineering, wireless communications
