MathBots on a Mission By Andrew Derer MathScience Innovation Center

Welcome Let’s break up into groups of 3. In your groups answer the following question: –H–How do robots know how and where to move? Each group will give a brief response. Take 2 minutes.

How do they do that? Today we are working with a robot called MathBot. MathBot can be programmed to follow responses or run a preset program. Please make sure that you are working on the tasks given. If you are not on the correct task or program you will be asked to sit out.

Today you will… Learn how to use MathBot to help you do certain tasks. Learn how to program your car. Write and run a program. Enter a contest to win a prize.

MathBot the Artist With a pen attachment MathBot can draw on a sheet of paper. The question is – Can we program MathBot to draw a specific figure? Let’s try an easy one – a square.

Press the program key. Scroll down to the program titled Poly1. Press Enter. Press Enter again. Follow the instructions on the screen. **Don’t forget to record your trials!** If you finish this one, try to sketch a rhombus that is not a square (use the back of the sheet). 25 Minutes

Did MathBot make a square like this?

Is this angle more or less than 90˚? What can MathBot do with Poly1?

How about this angle? More or less than 90˚?

Makin’ MathBot Move Now that we have seen some of the things MathBot can do let’s see if we can figure out how to make MathBot move. The Program MMM is for you to toy with. See if you can make changes in the digits and figure out what MathBot understands. Just pick a card and make your changes – Good Luck! One IMPORTANT tip first --

To Exit a Program Press 2 nd (yellow button) Press Quit (next to yellow button) You have to quit the edit mode before you can run a program. When in doubt, press 2 nd Quit (Mode)

Makin’ MathBot Move 1)Pick a card 2)Write down the change 3)Press PRGM button – right arrow to EDIT and down arrow to MMM. Not True! 25 Minutes

Makin’ MathBot Move What did we find out? Send ({122,400}) MovementLeft WheelRight Wheel Time (Centiseconds)

Final Mission Now that you know how to program, you are ready for the --

Here’s the challenge: –Y–Your team is going to program MathBot to get as close to Geeky as possible. –Y–You must begin with at least 1 tire on the start marker. –I–If you come within 10 cm of the base of Geeky, you win! –I–If you run into Geeky (even a little nudge) you are out. –N–Not a tough task except you are not allowed any practice runs! –Y–You may measure the course, program you car, and test your program on the floor. –Y–Your car may not run on or near the course until your final attempt. Good Luck!

Wrap Up Why is it harder to program MathBot to move in a parallelogram than a rectangle? Is a square the easiest quadrilateral? Why or why not? What would be easier to program: drawing the outline of a stop sign or a trapezoid?

Questions? Thank you! Good Bye!

Final Mission Entering a complex program is easy. Just enter each command after the previous one. :Send ({122,400}) :Get (R) For a 2 nd command, just add another below it. :Send ({122,400}) :Get (R) :Send ({120,250}) :Get (R)

Movement with a Mission Now it’s your turn to write a program. There are 5 tasks and a CHALLENGE. If you get the challenge correct (with explanation) you receive a bonus turn on the Final Mission. You need to complete the 5 tasks for the bonus task to be valid. Here’s what to do…

Send ({122,400}) 20 Minutes Not True! Get (R)