Teacher-Mentor Workshop August 8, 2012 New London-Spicer High School

Teacher-Mentor Workshop

August 8, 2012New London-Spicer High School

Minnesota BEST TeamPaul Carlson Hub Director – carlsonp

@nls.k12.mn.us Peg Peterson School CoordinatorJames Kleven Game CoordinatorGuy Chetrit Judging CoordinatorMike O’Brien Awards CoordinatorKeith Bangasser Finance DirectorElliot Eid Kit CoordinatorJean Spaulding Volunteer/Marketing

Coordinator

Email contacts available through Hub Director

mailto:[email protected]


Workshop PresentersNancy Rossland

Bison BEST & Northern Plains BEST, Hub DirectorCollege Relations and Outreach

College of Engineering and ArchitectureNorth Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

Alan KallmeyerBison BEST & Northern Plains BEST, Game Coordinator

Professor and ChairMechanical Engineering Department

North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

AgendaIntroduction to BEST RoboticsThe BEST Program…how it all worksAwards and Judging policies &

proceduresRobot KitsVEX Control SystemDemonstration & Hands-On ActivityQ&A

Warning!!

http://www.firehydrant.org/pictures/flush3.jpg

Video

A Vision of K-12 Students Today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFcJizkZf1U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFcJizkZf1U

The Mission of BEST

“To inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, technology, and math through participation in a sports-like science- and engineering-

based robotics competition.”

BEST RoboticsNon-profit, all-volunteer organization47 hubs in 17 states…and growing!Winning teams at local hubs advance

to one of four regional championships:

• Frontier Trails BEST at University of Arkansas – Fort Smith

• South’s BEST at Auburn University• Texas BEST at University of Texas at Dallas• Northern Plains BEST at NDSU

BEST Locations

Regional AdvancementMinnesota BEST teams advance to the

Northern Plains BEST regional at NDSU in Fargo, ND.

Minnesota BEST will likely advance 4 teams:• BEST Award winner• 1st place game winner• BEST Award runner up• 2nd place game winner

BEST HistoryBEST concept conceived by Texas

Instruments engineers Ted Mahler and Steve Marum.

The first contest was held in 1993 with 14 schools and 221 students participating.

This fall, over 850 schools and more than 12,500 students will compete!

Program PhilosophyThere is no registration fee for schoolsStudents perform all of the work!Mentors – engineers and other technical professionals from local companies – guide the students through the design & construction phase

BEST ParticipationMiddle School and High School students (6-12 grade)One team per school…no limit to the number of students who can be on the team

BEST TimelineFall competition starts in September and concludes six weeks later in October.The Kick-Off is always one of the first 3 Saturdays in September. Teams that win at the local level advance to a regional championship.

Our Core Objectives• Provide students with a real‐world engineering

experience that incorporates the practical application of math and science

• Prepare students to be technologically literate and thus better prepared to enter the workforce

• Help students develop leadership, project management, teamwork, and organizational skills

• Develop students’ confidence and competence through self‐directed learning, decision‐making, abstract thinking, and problem‐solving

What Teachers Are Saying…“Students from art, speech, FFA, video and computer classes all worked together for a common goal. I had "technical" kids giving

a speech, I had "art" kids using machines and I had students actually

writing papers and documenting without receiving a grade for it.”

Brian Stuvland, teacherPelican Rapids High School

What Teachers Are Saying…“We brought the robot to the elementary

school and kids were in awe. I have students that don't even like school

spending evenings and weekends working on the project.”

Brian Stuvland, teacher

Pelican Rapids High School

What Teachers Are Saying…“Students begged us to have practice.

Because it was not a part of any curriculum, our practices were held at

night, after sports practices and on Saturdays.”

Kim Jones, teacherKittson Central High School

What Teachers Are Saying…“It is what I needed to bring my Robotics

curriculum to the next level. The entire project was a continuum of design –

manufacture – problem solve. The ideas, enthusiasm and creativity of the students made this a truly enjoyable experience.”

Lee Weigle, teacherWaubun High School

“They learned to think outside the box and that their ideas could be really good and respected by their classmates. They lost their reluctance to just let an idea hang

out there.”

Gail Ringey, teacherSullivan Middle School

What Teachers Are Saying…

VideoSouth’s BEST ChampionshipKansas BEST – 2012 Game Video

Competition OverviewTwo components:

Robotics (the thematic game/engineering challenge)

- Includes a required Project Engineering Notebook

The BEST Award (optional for schools)

- Robotics, Project Engineering Notebook, plus:Marketing Presentation

Team Exhibit & InterviewSpirit & Sportsmanship

The Robotics Game• New educational theme/challenge and field each

year• Challenge and field kept secret until Kick

Off Day “unveiling”• Playing field is usually a 24’ x 24’ configuration• Points awarded for successful completion of

tasks• 4 teams compete per 3-minute match• Each team competes in 5-8 matches in a

seeding round• Two students participate in each match, a driver

and a spotter

Drivers & Spotters• Only one person per match is allowed to operate

robot (driver).• Prior to the competition, each team submits a

driver list.– Multiple drivers required for each school. (REF: Generic

Game Rules)• The spotter assists the driver in directing the

robot. The spotter may be any student from the team.

• Allowable communication techniques between the driver and the spotter vary depending on the game specific rules.

• Only one adult teacher or coach is allowed in the “pit” area at any time.– Students may adjust or repair robots in the pit area

between matches.

Rules, Rules, Rules…The contest rules (and interpretation) come from

these sources:– Generic Game Rules – core set of rules that remain

(nearly) constant from year-to-year– Game Specific Rules – rules that define the unique

requirements for the year’s game– Generic Kit Notes – general guidance on proper use of the

return kit items– Returnable/Consumable Kit List(s) – define the only

legal parts that can be used– Q&A (BRI web site) – the ONLY official source of rules

clarifications and interpretations– All teams have access to this site after kick-off

2012 Contest

2012 BEST EventsKick-Off Day - September 15th Mall Day – October 20th Game Day - October 26th and 27th

Northern Plains BEST – December 6-8

Kick-Off DaySeptember 15th, 2012

New London-Spicer High School Gym

Kick-Off activities will be held from approximately 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Kick-Off DayUnveiling of playing field and game rules Distribution of Kits (all teams receive the same

materials)– Returnables – equipment to make robot run

• Motors, servos, batteries, VEX Control system• Pulleys, battery charger, fuses, switches

– Consumables – raw materials for building robot• Longest items are 4” x 5’ PVC tubes• Includes 4 - 2’ x 4’ plywood pieces• Miscellaneous hardware components

Q & A about game rules

The clock starts ticking…

Kick-Off Day

Kick-Off DayTeams should study complexities of game

fieldTeams should identify and discuss offensive/

defensive strategiesTeams should photo/video game fieldThe veteran teams start discussing potential

designs while still at Kick-Off Day! Some teams (parents/mentors) build a

portion of the game field for practice– Schematics are provided on the CD in the

Kick-Off packet of materials.

Playing Field Examples

Kick-Off Day ExpectationsAll teams MUST have at least one team

representative at the Kick-Off! (recommend more…)

All teams MUST pick up and inventory their kit of parts before leaving the Kick-Off.

Mall DaySaturday, October 20th, 2012

Kandi Mall in Willmar

Mall Day activities will take place from approximately 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Mall DayMall Day is optional for teams…but highly

recommended!Purpose:

• Practice competitive driving• Define/refine team’s strategy• Test/troubleshoot robot• “Size up” the competition• Build school spirit• Promote BEST to the community• Pre-compliance check

Mall Day

Game Day 2012Friday, October 26th – (3:00 p.m.–9:00

p.m.)&

Saturday, October 27th (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)

Location: New London-Spicer High School

(Pre)Game DayProject Engineering Notebook judging:

– Every team in the competition MUST submit a notebook

– Notebooks must be mailed/delivered to hub by a specified day and time the week prior to Game Day (ref. Awards & Judging Part 2)

– Typically judged on the Friday of Game Day and returned to teams on Saturday

Game Day (Friday)

Team registrationBEST Award Team Exhibit (set-up & judging)BEST Award Marketing PresentationsCompliance Check-in (robots)Mandatory Pit MeetingPractice driving sessions

Game Day (Saturday)

Robot matchesPreliminary rounds (5-8 matches per team)Semi-final rounds (top 8 teams)Championship rounds (top 4 teams)

Awards ceremonyReturnables Kit check-in/returnBrief meeting for advancing teams

Game Day Arena

Pit AreaEach team is provided one 8-foot tableEach team is allowed 4 students and 1

teacher/mentor in the pit area at a timeTeams may bring hand tools, cordless drills,

and spare parts into pit area (no power provided to each table)

Technical assistance station provided with power tools, soldering irons, etc.

Battery charging station provided

Game Day Arena

Awards & Judging

Competition AwardsThe following will be awarded trophies:• 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Robotics Competition• 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place BEST Award

The following awards will receive plaques:

• Robotics Finalist• Founder’s Award for Creative Design• Most Robust Robot Award

Competition AwardsSpecial Awards• Best Project Engineering Notebook Award• Best Marketing Presentation Award• Best Team Exhibit & Interview Award• Best Spirit & Sportsmanship Award• Top Gun (most points scored in a single

match)• Rookie (best first-year team)• Teamwork

BEST AwardThe BEST Award is the most prized of all

awards.It is presented to the team that best

embodies the attributes associated with “Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology”

BEST Award CategoriesAll teams are eligible for the BEST AwardJudging is based on five categories(100

points possible):– Project Engineering Notebook (25 points)– Marketing Presentation (25 points)– Team Exhibit and Interviews (20 points)– Spirit and Sportsmanship (15 points)– Robot Performance (15 points)

BEST Award GuidelinesIn order for a team to be eligible to compete

for the BEST Award at the Regional event, the team must have competed for the BEST Award at their local hub competition.

Judging ProcedureAs each team completes a category, it will

receive a category score that is the average of individual scores of the judges reviewing it.

Teams should know in advance that scores among many teams frequently differ by only fractions of a point.

Category I: Project Engineering Notebook(25 Points)

The notebook will be judged on the documentation of the team’s:– Implementation of the Engineering Design

Process– Research Paper– Brainstorming Approaches– Analytical Evaluation of Design Alternatives– Offensive and Defensive Evaluation (Strategy)– Design Creativity– Support Documentation– Overall Quality and Completeness of Notebook

Purpose: To document the process used to design, build, and test the robot (25 Points)

PossiblePoints Score

DESIGN PROCESS (15 Points) Implementation of the Engineering Design Process

Evidence that the engineering process was effectively used. 25

Comments:

Brainstorming Approaches How well organized and productive was the brainstorming approach used and documented

25

Comments:

Analytical Evaluation of Design Alternatives Use of analytical and mathematical skills in deciding upon and implementing

design alternatives25

Comments:

Offensive and Defensive Evaluation Analysis of gaming strategies and design elements to achieve goals 25

Comments:

Safety Evidence that safety training occurred and safe practices were followed to prevent students’ misuse of tools and other devices/equipment that may result in personal injury or damage to property

25

Comments:

Support DocumentationCAD/other drawings, photos, team organization, meeting minutes, test results, etc. that support the main document

25

RESEARCH PAPER (4 Points)

▪ Correlation between game and how the science/technology is being used at a company/industry/research lab in the team’s state or region 10

Comments:

▪ Any related information of game theme, such as history, famous inventor(s), or major milestones. 10

Comments:

▪ Creativity in linking game theme to appropriately related science

content 10

Comments:

▪ Proper use of grammar and composition throughout paper, citations of sources used to gather information for paper, stayed within 2-5 page limit

10

Comments: OVERALL QUALITY AND COMPLETENESS OF NOTEBOOK (6 Points) Submission of completed Team Demographics Form (printed from

www.robotevents.com) 15

Organization and appearanceTable of contents, summary, page numbers, discussion of evaluation points, linkage to appendices.

15

Comments:

Adherence to specificationsStandard binder, business font no smaller than 12 pt., double-spaced (single spaced ok in tables and outlines), 30 one-sided page limit for main section, 20 double-sided page limit for appendices, 1” margins, required cover information.

15

Comments:

Quality of content Well written descriptions, clear photo labels, lack of extraneous material, etc.

15

Comments:

Total 250

÷10 ÷ 10Final score: 25

Project Engineering NotebookScore Sheet

http://www.robotevents.com/

Category II: Marketing Presentation (25 Points)

– Company Information– Design and Manufacturing Process (Engineering

Process)– Use of Available Technology– Marketing Strategies– Team Demographics and Operations– Quality of Presentation

BEST Award Marketing Presentation

Purpose: To present information and respond to questions concerning the team’s experience in the BEST process. (25 pts.)


COMPANY INFORMATION (2 Points) Well-defined roles as company employees/owners/managers 10

Comments:

Organization of company departments for product development 10 Comments:

DESIGN & MANUFACTURING PROCESS (ENGINEERING PROCESS) (4 Points) Brainstorming approaches 10

Comments:

Analytical evaluation of design alternatives 10 Comments:

Offensive & Defensive strategy evaluation 10 Comments:

Effective Implementation of process 10 Comments:

MARKETING STRATEGIES (3 Points) Publicity efforts to inform school and community of their effort (e.g.

school newsletters, presentations to community and/or school groups, fliers/brochures, posters, press releases, etc.

30

Comments:

USE OF AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY (4 Points)▪ CAD or other drawings/other examples 20

Comments:

▪ WEB page development/computer simulations 20

Marketing Presentation Score Sheet

TEAM DEMOGRAPHICS & OPERATIONS (2 Points) Company team-building (team-building activities, representation and

percentage of team involved in robot development, methods of team decision-making, etc.)

10

Comments:

Company team demographics (evidence of team diversity – male, female, variety of grades represented, minority involvement) . . . . 10

Comments:

QUALITY OF PRESENTATION (10 Points) Communication skills and professionalism of presenters. Understandable,

well organized, prepared. 40 Comments:

Met specifications for presentations (time limit, minimum 4 presenters, maximum 8 presenters, set-up and break-down by students) 10

Comments:

Achieved goal of marketing the team’s ‘product’ 10 Comments:

Creativity of format 20 Comments:

Q&A quality in responses to judges 20 Comments:

Overall Comments:

Total 250 ÷10 ÷ 10

Final score: 25 max

Category III: Team Exhibit & Interviews(20 Points)

The purpose of the table display and interviews category is to:– Communicate, through a display and through

discussion with judges, information about the team’s efforts to promote BEST in the community and schools

– Foster BEST spirit, camaraderie, and participation

– Give evidence of sportsmanship

Purpose: To creatively a) communicate an understanding of the game theme, and b) demonstrate how the team has promoted BEST in the school and community (20 pts.)


EXHIBIT: LEVEL & QUALITY OF INFORMATION PRESENTED ON

PROMOTION OF BEST CONCEPT (13 points) Sharing information and/or technology resources, and mentoring other schools,

including other BEST teams 15

Comments:

Presentations & robot demonstrations to other schools & community groups 15

Comments:

Publicity (print materials, media/press) generated within the school and within the community about BEST 15

Comments:

Fund raising and/or sponsorship efforts (strategies used to recruit sponsors, team fund raisers, description of how funds were allocated to support team, team budget information available for review)

15

Comments:

Use of technology, display models or boards, or multi-media at exhibit in promotion of BEST 20

Comments:

Creativity in incorporating game theme into design and presentation of this exhibit 40

Comments:

Compliance with specifications (did not exceed space allocation) 10

Comments:

Team Exhibit & InterviewsScore Sheet

Comments:

INTERVIEWS AT EXHIBIT, IN PIT, AND IN STANDS (7 points)▪ Evidence of students’ enthusiasm, learning experience, and

understanding of the game theme 20

Comments:

▪ Evidence that recruitment efforts for this team included multiple grade levels and students from a cross-section of the school population 10

Comments:

▪ Evidence that students were the primary designers and builders of robot 40

Comments:

Total 200 ÷10 ÷ 10

Final score: 20 max Additional Comments:

Team Exhibit Examples

Category IV: Spirit and Sportsmanship(15 Points)

Judges and hub personel evaluate this category throughout the competition

They observe the spirit promoted by the team during the competition as well as the team’s conduct in the seating area, team exhibit area, game floor, and pit area

Toward the end of the competition, teams also submit a “Team Ballot” to vote for the team(s) they believe are exhibiting the best spirit and sportsmanship.

Purpose: To display team spirit & sportsmanship at the Competition (15 points)


SPIRIT ! (7 points) Exhibit vigor and enthusiasm throughout competition event. 20

Comments:

Use of signs, posters, props, costumes, t-shirts, etc. 20 Comments:

Cheerleaders, mascots, bands, organized noise-makers, etc. 15 Comments:

Number of supporters with school (other than students) 15

Comments:

SPORTSMANSHIP (8 points) Outward display of sportsmanship.(e.g. helping other teams in need) 30

Comments:

Conduct an attitude considered befitting participation in sports (e.g., grace in winning or losing).

20

Comments:

Evidence that students are the primary “pit crew” (robot repairs and adjustments during competition) 30

Comments:

Total 150 ÷ 10 ÷ 10

Final Score 15 max

Spirit and SportsmanshipScore Sheet

Creative GimmicksTeam hatsTeam t-shirts with game

theme designCostumesButtonsTheme musicBannersPostersSchool BandCheerleaders

Aesthetic robot designs“Accessorized” robotTeam cheersSpirit songsAttendance by student body, staff, parentsFreebies (with logo)Picture give-awaysTeam/robot fact sheets

BEST Award Spirit & Sportsmanship

Creative Gimmicks

Team T-Shirt Examples

Category V: Robot Performance(15 Points)These 15 points will be based on the total game points earned

during the preliminary rounds according to the following scale:

–Team finishes in top 20% of all teams competing at hub - 15 Points




–Team finishes in top 100% of all teams competing at hub - 3 Point

–Team is unable to score any points during the competition - 0 Points

Up to 15 Robot Performance points will be added to the total BEST Award points.

BEST Award Robot Performance

ResultsEach advancing team will be mailed a copy of their

score sheets following the local competition.

Score sheets of non-advancing teams will be mailed upon request.

Judges will provide as much feedback as possible to the teams.

Teams advancing to the Regional competitions can use judges’ comments to make improvements as they wish.

Robot Kits

Robot Kits• Two kits supplied by hub:

– Returnables kit• Expensive items• Do not modify• Return at end of competition

– Consumables kit• Miscellaneous building supplies• Can modify any items

(REF: Returnable & Consumable Kit lists)• Do not use any items not contained

in the kits!

Safety

Safety glassesHearing protectionDust maskBuddy systemKeep work area cleanSupervise students at all times

Only use the parts supplied in the kit.The robot must fit into a two foot cube

and cannot weigh over 24 pounds.Equipment included in the Returnable kit

MUST be returned at the conclusion of the competition…do not modify*!

All machines will be inspected for compliance with rules before the contest.

*Exceptions: servo horns, open stock belt

Some Basics

Servos

Controller

Analog

Motors/Servos

Battery

Digitali/o

WiFi key USB/TetherSerial

Joystick

(2)

Servo Mount H/WServo Horns*

(2)(2)

Servo Extensions

(2)

USB A-A cable

(16)

AAA Battery Charger

(4)

Returnable Kit Items

Returnable Kit Items

(2)

(2)

(2)

Motors

Drive Components*

MotorController (4)

Screw TerminalMotor i/f Cable (4)

Screw TerminalSensor i/f Cable (8)

7.2V Battery

7.2V Battery Charger

Battery Adapter

(2)

MotorsFour motors are supplied:

Two largeTwo small

Motors are used to power:Drive wheelsLifting mechanismsGrippers

Motors must be mounted using the brackets and screws supplied in the consumable kit!

ServosFour servos are supplied.Servos can be used to operate various mechanisms on the robot (e.g., grippers).Servos can rotate up to 120 degrees (+/- 60 degrees).Servo horns CAN be modified.

BatteriesPrimary source of power for robot.

Two 7.2 Volt NiMH batteries included in kit.

Capacity: 3000 mAhr

Only 1 battery on the machine at a time!

Manage your batteries carefully!

Team-owned batteries not allowed on the field on game day.

Batteries can overheat if overcharged– No excuse for a battery meltdown!– Monitor batteries during charging

Batteries

VEXnet Cortex M3 Controller

System Status Indicators

WiFi 802.11gCommunications

8 AnalogInputs

12 DigitalInputs/Outputs

10 Motor/ServoPorts

Standard SerialInterfaces

(UART, I2C)

SpeakerOutput

VEXnet Cortex M3 Controller

Backup Battery Port for WiFi

Communications (9V)

75 MHz Crystal Interface Ports(not used by

BEST)On/OffSwitch

Main Battery Port (7.2V)

Configuration Switch

(used for special procedures)

VEX Cortex Microcontroller• VEXnet 802.11g WiFi communication• 32-bit dual ARM CPUs• 8 analog inputs• 12 digital input/output• 10 motor/servo ports• DAC speaker output• 2 UART serial ports• 1 I2C port (sensors)• Programmable controller

• easyC, ROBOTC, MATLAB software licenses included

VEXnet Joystick

2 XY Analog Joysticks

8 Buttons on Top

Plug-in USB/WiFi Key

4 Buttons on Front

Programming Interface

“Playstation” Game-Style Controller

3-Axis Accelerometer(XY Tilt, XYZ Accel, Shake)

Power Switch6 AAA

RechargeableBatteries

Example Hookup

Servo

Motor Control

ler

DC Motors

Battery

Motor Screw

Terminal

Cortex Control

ler

VEXnet CommunicationsMicrocontroller and joystick communicate through matching pair of VEXnet 802.11g WiFi keys (proprietary communication).

Operation in “tethered” mode possible using USB cable between controller and joystick.

Default Configuration• VEX controller pre-installed with

“default” program• Allows a team to hook up the Cortex

and have it work without having to program it.

• This is NOT the only configuration for the Cortex!

• Good for initial checkout, but we want teams to load a unique configuration.

VEX Programming SoftwareThree Programming Software Options:

• easyC (intelitek)—Graphical-like drag-n-drop programming—Full C language support (allows direct C

programming option)• ROBOTC (Carnegie Mellon University)

—C-based programming language—Supports several robotics platforms (LEGO

Mindstorms)• MATLAB/SIMULINK (Mathworks)

—Graphical programming/modeling environment—Simulation capability

easyC Software• Preferred option for new users• Autonomous or joystick (WiFi) control

capabilities• Graphical drag-n-drop programming

—Dialog boxes simplify programming tasks—C code generated as program is built

• Knowledge of C programming language not required—Code can be edited directly through text editor

• Intuitive GUI allows easy programming of motors, servos, sensors, etc. to joysticks or buttons

easyC Software Interface

Configuration

Motors, servos, and sensors can be plugged into any port on the microcontroller and configured using the software.Components can be activated using joysticks or buttons.

Programming Steps

• Create program in easyC using function blocks and dialog boxes

• Compile and build program using C-compiler

• Download program to VEX controller using USB cable

Creating a Program

Dialog boxes open to set parameters.

Drag and drop function blocks into the main program.

C code is written and can be edited directly.

Downloading a ProgramDirect USB Download

Tethered Download

Consumable Kit Items• Plywood/lumber• Sheet aluminum, steel, polypropylene,

polycarbonate• PVC pipe and fittings (various sizes)• Wire, terminals, switches• Hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, washers,

rods, etc)• Tape, glue, epoxy• Twine, rubber bands, paper clips, inner

tube, etc.• Additional list of “team-supplied” items

Robot Examples

Resources• Online documentation (BRI Site)

– File Manager– http://www.bestinc.org

• Official BRI Q&A – Use “Official Q&A” page during contest for “rules specific”

questions

• VEX Forum– http://www.vexforum.com/forum.php – Technical questions about VEX equipment, including easyC and

ROBOTC

• Robot Events– http://admin.robotevents.com – Team registration and demographics collection– Contact Greg Young to set up account (

[email protected])

http://www.bestinc.org/

http://www.vexforum.com/forum.php

http://admin.robotevents.com/


Enough already…

“Dr. Kallmeyer, may I be excused? My head is full.”

Teacher-Mentor Workshop August 8, 2012 New London-Spicer High School

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Transcript of Teacher-Mentor Workshop August 8, 2012 New London-Spicer High School