Building a Team

Molly O. - Green Machine Researcher - 6th grade 

 

The last couple of weeks we have been working on ideas for the senior solutions and the programers are building and programing their robots. But the last two Fridays we have worked on building our team. 

Last Friday we all were in Mr.O's room and we worked on teamwork. The first activity we did was that Mr.O gave us one sheet of paper and we had to cut it into a unbroken loop that at least two of the people on our team could fit inside. It was really difficult, but fun at the same time. My team figured it out and we could fit six people inside before it broke. We also did something when one team stayed in the room and built a model while the other team was out in the hallway. Then the people in the hallway sent in two or three people in the closet looking at the model while there was the rest of the team waiting for otal directions from their teamates to help them make an identical model.

Today we did an exersise in which Mr.O would give you a subject and you would have to speak fluently in front of the team without saying um, but, or like. It was really, really hard to do but funny to watch. Teamwork is very important to us.

 



Programming with My Blocks

Winston G. - OwlBot Programmer - 8^th Grade

Subroutines are a collection of programming commands that are used over and over again within the same program or set of programs. In the Lego Mindstorm software subroutines are called My Blocks. My Blocks not only save a lot of time when programming, they can simplify software design by automatically performing the mathematical calculations that are necessary to convert distances on the field of play into rotations on the robots motors. Here is an example of a MyBlock that allows the robot to follow a line that is printed on the field of play:

This block uses two light sensors straddling the line. It subtracts one brightness value from the other, divides it to make less violent changes, and passes it to the steering control of the move block.

The My Blocks are in blue. They each represent a frequently used combination of regular programming blocks.  Each blue block is really just a shortcut for ten or more regular blocks.  This program uses a My Block to follow a line until the robot detects a green object near the line.  The program then tells the robot to turn, pickup the green object, and follow the line back to base.

The idea for using My Blocks and our dual light sensor line following program came from the book Winning Design! Lego Mindstorms NXT Design Patterns for Fun and Competition, by James J. Trobaugh. This book is a must read for serious FLL teams.

Practical Attachments

Nicholas M. - Green Machine Programmer - 7th grade

 

Today in robotics, while it was pouring outside, three pairs of programming teams from The Green Machine were still building their robots.  Gabe Schneider and I were tweaking a program that uses a very practical attachment. The attachment flips up and down so when we don't need to use it, we flip it up. When we need to use it on a mission, we lower it before activating the mission. This helps save critical seconds of time when the robot is in base; when the robot comes back from the mission, we can either flip it up or down depending on the objective of the next mission.

The picture to the left is showing the attachment down. The picture to the left, shows the attachment flipped up so it won't interfere with the mission that doesn't need that certain part of the robot. The cords are cleverly tucked in so they also won't interfere.  

Tornado Warning

Chris M. - Owlbot Researcher - 7th Grade

This week's robotics practice started off with a tornado warning. We had to evacuate the classroom and moved into the front hallway. But that didn't stop us from having practice!! About 30 seconds later, they cancelled the warning and let us back into our classrooms. So lets now get to business!!

The Green Machine researchers have selected to research memory loss. Their subject was influenced by the visit of our senior mentor, Mrs. Smith.

The Owlbots have decided to research something related to medical problems for seniors. One idea we are focusing on is an automated medicine dispenser. An automated dispenser would distribute a pill at the selected time so seniors wouldn't forgot their medication. We are now going to do market research to see if there is a dispenser of this type already available. If not, we intend to speak with members of the medical community and seniors if this is something we should pursue as a viable senior solution. As a team, we need to encourage each other to stay on schedule so we can be prepared for our presentation deadline. We'll update you on our progress!!!

The Research Process

                                     
                                             Sarah B. - OwlBots Researcher - 8th Grade

       
Today is the researchers' 5th practice of the season; we have been busy coming up with challenges we can solve for this year's theme, senior solutions. The researchers' goal this season is to identify a struggle that senior citizens face, and find a creative solution to try and help.  We have several ideas, most of which are aimed at helping people with Alzheimer's and Dementia. Our first mentor, Mrs. Smith helped to steer us in that direction during her visit, and gave us some great ideas on some of the problems she has as a caretaker for her husband. Once we decide on a solution, we have to make a creative presentation; in the past we have done PowerPoints, skits, and even a mock- infomercial. We'll keep you posted on all of our ideas.

Woods Robotics Teams Welcome First Mentor

Noah M.-OwlBots Researcher - 8th Grade

Today was a lively day in robotics practice. Both Woods Academy Robotics Teams, The Owlbots and The Green Machine, met in Mr. O’s classroom after school. After a hearty meal of Ledo’s pizza and Gatorade (probably not the healthiest choice), the programmers quickly went to work on building their robots. Throughout the room, programmers were fidgeting with Lego pieces, discussing how to do the missions, and then going back to make adjustments to the robots. Meanwhile, the research teams were preparing for the upcoming presentation by their first mentor, as well as giving the programmers creative suggestions not yet thought of. Soon the teams first mentor was ready to speak. She was the grandmother of a member of the team and a caretaker of an Alzheimer’s patient, her husband. The mentor, Mrs. Smith, spoke about the heartbreaking difficulties of caring for a loved one 24/7, which means giving up almost all of your own social life. The researchers took notes on small possible problems that could be solved. After a few more questions the programmers and researchers went separate ways for the remainder of practice, researchers going to Mrs. Cunnane's room while programmers stayed in Mr. O’s. The rest of the practice the researchers jotted down problems they could take on later, while the programmers continued feverishly working on the robots.

Programmer Winston Grenier explaining game board 

to new mentor Mrs. Abigail Smith