Session 1

Congratulations! Welcome to the Tomorrow’s Engineer’s EEP Robotics Challenge! We hope you enjoy exploring your LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education EV3 sets. They are a brilliant way to get creative, learn programming and hone your building skills. The challenge resources and tasks will help you to learn more skills and have fun with your robotics kits. These lesson plans and your challenge guide will help you to get started and hit the ground running as young engineers!

https://youtu.be/DSOgzEhLz1k Over your robotics challenge experience you will explore what engineering is all about, using some of the same skills engineers use today. You will even get a chance to meet some real engineers who are changing the world every day. https://youtu.be/DSOgzEhLz1k

What does engineering mean to you? Discuss with the person next to you and share some ideas with the class.

What is Engineering? Engineering is behind everything - from your smartphone to the shoes on your feet! The work that engineers do affects billions of people. It is creative and hands-on. It is about solving problems, designing things and improving things. Engineering starts with what you learn in school. Engineers use maths, science – especially physics – D&T, computing, electronics, construction, art and other subjects. Engineers make a difference to the world. Let’s meet some of them…

Real engineers Jaz Bob and Marc are on a mission to save otters Jaz Rabadia MBE, is Senior Manager of Energy Initiatives at Starbucks. She uses the skills she learned during her mechanical engineering degree to help make retailers more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Bob and Marc are on a mission to save otters https://youtu.be/wUhhX2TlLk8 See more engineering case studies here: www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/realjobs

Engineering is everywhere… Researching and developing life-saving medical equipment Minimising the damage from earthquakes Developing the apps and computer games of the future Helping everyone in the world access clean drinking water Designing transport such as aeroplanes and driverless vehicles, as well as the road and rail networks that connect us. Working with athletes to help our nation succeed at sport

Are you Creative? A good problem-solver? Great at communicating your ideas? Someone who never gives up? Could you see yourself exploring outer space, protecting the environment, designing apps or developing cures for diseases? Take the quiz to see what kind of engineering best suits YOUR skills and passions… www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/quiz

How does the robotics challenge relate to engineering? You learn the following skills that are used by engineers every day: Problem-solving Creativity Designing Building Team work Communication skills Programming Determination & patience Learning from your mistakes Leadership

Robotics Challenge Mat Speed and control challenge Challenge overview: The 5 Competition Elements Robotics Challenge Mat Pre-built and pre-programmed; score points by completing the missions Robot Design Be creative, think innovative and novel, know hardware and software Research Project Use reliable sources, prepare a 5 minute presentation Teamwork Challenge Details released on competition day, be prepared for anything Speed and control challenge Pre-built, pre-programmed, go as fast as you can to the finish line and back For more information please read your challenge guide…

Robotics Challenge Journey Late Sept – Oct Learn about the MINDSTORM hardware and software in the session plans. Have a go at building simple robots Oct – Feb Prepare for 4 competition elements (excluding teamwork challenge which is an unseen challenge – no need to prepare) Feb-March Attend the regional competition and have fun meeting other teams in your local area. Early March Attend the final if you make it through! April onwards Continue your robotics learning journey, take part in online activities or mentor future teams!

The robotics challenge website From September onwards you have the option to upload your team profile to the Robotics Challenge website here once you receive your login via email. This is in addition to the robotics challenge and is not essential. You can take part in the following website activities: Brain Bots (mini blogs on exciting and creative ways engineers can future-proof the world – they can get you thinking for your project presentation) The Challenge (Task breakdown of the Robot Challenge and Speed and Control Challenge – upload fun videos and pictures to @Tomorrows_Eng and #TERobotics Chat with other schools on the Buzz Board Check your progress on the League Table You’ll be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes from your challenge videos, picture uploads and brain bots.

The Learning… How do Robots work? Can you think of any examples? All robots have inputs and outputs. But what is an input and an output? Activity: Have a 1 minute discussion with the person next to you about what you think an input and an output is. Can you think of any examples?

Examples Input: Both Output: Mouse Graphics tablet Keyboard Both Touch screen can be input and output Output: Speaker Printer Monitor

EV3 Model Inputs and Outputs (Click for Prezi)

Apply your knowledge of the parts… The best thing to do is have a good ‘rummage’ in your LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education EV3 core set and resource set boxes. Have a go at building a basic robot – you can use this video below or try your own deign https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsLqiShzP0k

Recap What is an engineer? What industry sectors can an engineer work in? What are inputs and outputs? What are the main parts of the EV3 robot? We hope you enjoy the Robotics Challenge journey!

Great work everyone! See you next time!