Meeting #1

The official robot season has begun.  We met several times over the summer with various team members to learn some basics of the robot, FLL and programming.  This week we started our real practices with the correct team members.

This weeks challenge was to build the basic robot kit (directions that came with the EV3) and then program the robot to drive in a straight line to get as close to the wall as possible without hitting the wall.  Students could choose between degrees, rotations etc to make the robot move.

We had difficulty with our battery packs.  I am thinking we got two of the defective EV3 battery packs.  LEGO Mindstorms has been very accommodating in providing us replacement batteries at no cost to us.

Once they succeeded in the first challenge they completed the same challenge using the ultra-sonic sensor.  Some teams were able to move even further in the challenge and use the color sensor to make the robot stop and go.  The trick the students discovered is that the "coast" command was very useful.

The laptops that came with our robots were very helpful for the students.  It was great letting them be in charge of the programming and not worrying about damage.  These laptops are tough-duty and made just for kids (which makes it difficult for my old eyes to read).

 At the end of practice the students all mentioned a core value that was demonstrated that day.  It is important for students to be able to understand the core values and what they look like in a real team meeting.  They will be questioned on the FLL core values during the competition.