Unit 1 – Introduction to VEX Robotics Unit 1 - Introduction to VEX Robotics Lesson 4 – Exploring the Design Brief

Unit 1 – Introduction to VEX Robotics Objectives for Today By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Produce a mind map of possible needs and requirements for a robot for NASA to use on an exploration visit to Mars. Write a design specification for your robot.

Unit 1 – Introduction to VEX Robotics Design Brief Situation: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program. One of the next big projects for NASA is sending a mission to Mars to explore and/or collect scientific information and samples about the planet. Brief: Using VEX Robotics components and parts available to you, including your existing Clawbot kit, create a robot that could be used on this mission to meet one or several of the needs identified above. You will need to create a prototype of your robot and present it to a panel of experts.

Unit 1 – Introduction to VEX Robotics Starter – Review of Homework Last lesson you were asked to produce a page of research about NASA, robots that they use and what Mars is like as a planet. You are going to use this information to help you to meet the design brief. Share your research page with the rest of your team. As a team pick 3 key points that you think are important to help you meet the design brief. Share these points with the whole class.

Unit 1 – Introduction to VEX Robotics Mind Map Mind Mapping is a really useful way of putting some first ideas for your robot down on paper. In your groups create a mind map of possible needs and requirements for your robot in order for it to meet the design brief. Points to Consider in your Mind Map: Who? Who is the robot going to be for? What? What might the robot need to do? Where? Where is the robot going to be used – what might the terrain, climate and geography be like? When? When would the robot need to be used – at what point in the mission or in the future? Why? Why would the robot be useful to NASA? How? How are you going to make this happen?

Unit 1 – Introduction to VEX Robotics Design Specification Size (What size will the robot or different parts of the robot need to be?) Appearance (What will the robot look like?) Technology (What technology will need to be used?) Shape (What shape will the robot or different parts of it be?) User (Who will use it and how will they use it?) Materials and Components (What materials and components will need to be used?) Approximate cost (How much will it cost to design and make?) A design specification is a list of design targets that your finished prototype must meet. It is usually presented as a set of bullet points. Try to be as specific as you can with each point. Use SATSUMA to help you write this.

Unit 1 – Introduction to VEX Robotics Extension Task and Homework As individuals within your group create a series of first design sketches showing what you think the robot should be like (remember to consider the parts that you have available to you). Make sure you fully label your ideas and explain them wherever you can. Remember – the purpose of your sketches is to communicate your first ideas, they do not necessarily need to be neat!

Unit 1 – Introduction to VEX Robotics Plenary On a work sheet write down 3 key things that you have learnt in this lesson. How will this help you to design and make your own robot to meet the design brief? Place your answers on the whiteboard.