Target Practice Sarah Current and Allison Carroll, University of Georgia Introduction Objectives Why? Practical Applications Reflection My Robot Time is one example of a fun and interactive robotics building kit. Students are able to build a robot from the pieces provided in the kit and program it to move and function on its own. ETES puts a large focus on STEM education in elementary schools. Students are participating in STEM by following directions to build a robot. The Target Practice model allows for students to practice hand-eye coordination in a fun and age- appropriate way. Working Together: Building a robot requires that students work together in small groups collectively. Each student should play a role whether it be putting the pieces together, picking out the pieces for the builder, or programming the robot. Each student can find a role that they enjoy and that they are successful at. They must learn to help one another and work together as a team. Interesting for Age Level: Building a Target Practice model is a very age appropriate model for second graders. A majority of students will enjoy building something that they can play and interact with instead of watching something. Develop A Deeper Understanding: Students will develop a deeper understanding in: Engineering Programming Detailed building This robotics activity includes several practical applications for students: Detailed hand-eye coordination Collaboration skills Percentages of hit and misses Probability This activity would be suitable for the upper grades in elementary school. Older students will find this activity more enjoyable than younger students. Younger elementary aged students might get frustrated with the process, especially the programming part. It would be a good idea for the teacher to do the activity on her own before giving it to the students to complete. The teacher would be more familiar with the process, and can therefore predict what students may have difficulty with. The programming portion of this activity may need to be completed as a class due to the level of difficulty. This was a fun and engaging activity. Rubber bands are positioned in this model to shoot at the target. How It Works: Ideally, the target would move continuously back and forth, making it more challenging to hit. We had trouble finding the right ratio to balance the movement from left to right during programming. When shot with the rubber band, the sensor registers that it has been hit successfully. A teacher could ask the students what the problem is and how they might solve it. By trouble-shooting, students are thinking and developing problem solving skills. Students will: S2CS3.Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating objects in scientific activities. MCC2.MD.10 Draw a picture graph and a bar graph (with single-unit scale) to represent a data set with up to four categories. Solve simple put- together, take-apart, and compare problems using information presented in a bar graph.