We spent most of April and May preparing for a SumoBot competition at the Triangle Math and Science Academy (TMSA) on 5/21. We used the robot from state competition with modifications and also the SugoBot. The kids loved personalizing the robots and competing with them.
We spent a lot of time breaking down the code necessary to stay on the table and to try to push the opponent off. The kids learned about reflected light intensity on black vs. white and how to use Port View on the robot to check the current values.
Part of their strategy was to increase the robot weight to the max (1000kg or 2.2lbs) and to put good armor around the robot.
The kids got to pick their own teams.
Competition consisted of 40 teams and was divided up by age (middle vs. elementary) and weight. Johnny and Gavin lost first round but had long, intense matches. Luke and Jacob's robot went on to round two where it was eliminated. Zoe's robot gave a good fight but also lost in round one. And, I'm very sorry to say that Caroline, Beth, and Zoe's robot was disqualified because the code failed to have it completely leave the box. That was quite sad. Still, the competition was fun and friendly.
Sometimes it is fun to compete with more than two robots at once!
At our Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016 meeting, we learned about using the color sensor to trace lines and about using the ultrasonic or infrared sensors to detect objects. Both of these skills are necessary to prepare for the sumobot competition that we'll be gearing up for in May. I have an e-mail from TMSA (Triangle Math and Science Academy) that they do plan to host sumobots again. Yippee! More info, like a date, when I have it.
I have some follow-up work to do with the color sensor. The exercise didn't go as planned. Oops!
I would like the kids to read chapters 7 and 8 in their books to reinforce the concepts we went over. Also, please have the kids bring their binders and books back to our meetings until further notice.
Since we finished our preparation for the NC FLL State competition, and competed, we've been doing some other computer science activities. First, we used the activities on the CS Unplugged website to learn about Simple Sort, Bubble Sort, and Divide and Conquer. I just love these activities because they don't require computers or other equipment and really involve the kids in the learning process.
Second, we learned about the Python programming language and how it can totally rock your Minecraft world. I would love it if some of the kids were interested in teaching themselves some Python using the Adventures in Minecraft book materials. All that is needed is the book, which I can loan, a PC, Mac or Raspberry PI, and a Minecraft license. Read more about the book and what it has to offer in this GeekMom review that I wrote. I also have a new, similar book, calledLearning to Program with Minecraft. The author uses a very similar Python environment. Thanks to No Starch Press for the review copy of this book! I'm about half way through the programming exercises and recommend it too.
The kids really spent a lot of time trying to dump and sort the bricks they got from Building with Brackets. Unfortunately, they were out of time to add this solution into their robot run. Still, it was a good learning experience and showed real endurance sticking with it.
After regionals, I got off track posting after each meeting. Let me catch up!
Here are some pictures from our 12/3/15 meeting. Oh, the elusive sorter! Still working to get it the right height, so that it won't tip, etc.
At our 12/09/15 meeting, the team did several team building exercises. For one, they had to build a basket with tape and pipe cleaners that could catch a ball when dropped while standing on a chair. Sounds simple enough. Not!
A weave pattern and using the tape sticky seemed to work best!
On 12/14/15, Ms. Norwood threw a celebratory/holiday party for the kids. They had fun with games and being Christmas trees.
On 12/16/15, I did a lecture on binary numbers. I just love having the kids flip their binary cards to create numbers! Look at the CS Unplugged website for more details.
On 12/17/15, we took the kids outside for more team building exercises. They had to lead their blindfolded teammates through an obstacle course. How enlightening and funny! For now, the one picture, but I have videos that I need to find and share as well!
The kids also did an exercise to save me and Ms. Norwood from an overturned canoe on a river. A hose might do the trick!
We took a break for the holidays but are back in the new year ready to prep and compete!
The Vance Panthers FIRST Lego League team is pleased to announce that we competed in the FLL Regional Qualifier Tournament at Neal STEM Academy on Saturday, November 21st, 2015, and that we are advancing to the North Carolina state tournament at NC A&T in Greensboro on Saturday, January, 23rd, 2016. Woo hoo! We are so excited!
Congratulations to all the teams that advanced to the state tournament. It was a tough qualifying tournament with a lot of talented and determined teams and kids participating. I believe there were 32 teams total! That's a lot of kids and teams! Everyone was awesome!
We arrived at 7:15 AM to check-in and quickly found our pit area in the school cafeteria. Wonderful excitement! The schedule for the day had us doing two robot practice runs at 8:30 AM and 9 AM and then moving on to Robot Design review at 10 AM, the Core Values interview at 10:15 AM, and our Project Presentation at 10:30 am. Boom, boom, boom! It was fast and furious! In our spare time, we practiced the presentation, reviewed core values questions, and discussed the results of our robot test runs.
When we weren't prepping, the kids took some time to visit other pits and exchnage the traditional buttons. The kids were quite pleased with their collection!
Here is a video of our 8:30 AM practice run.
This video shows us practicing our presentation.
Here are a few pictures as we waited to do our interviews. The coaches tried not to peek, but it was hard!
Before the afternoon robot performance runs, we participated in the team parade. Boy was it "festive" as we waited to walk in!
We were disappointed to miss the composter button on our first robot run. We scored a somewhat disappointing 189 pts. We were hoping to get 250 or even 300+
The second run was much better with a score of 261. We were feeling much better about that but still hoping to hit the composter button and have all our missions run correctly at one time.
Our third run was back down to 211 (?). We had some trouble with putting a person in the sorting area and retrieving Valuables correctly. I was so proud that we maintained our composure anyway.
I want to take a minute to applaud the bravery that Luke and Zoe showed running the robot for the team in the midst of that huge crowd. The team thanks you! You guys did a great job representing the team!
As we prepare for state, we will work to get more consistency with our robot missions and see if we can speed things up to add some other missions. The team has great ideas on how to run the Sorter and picked up some tips on the Power Station watching other teams at regionals.
I am sure that we will fine tune the presentation and continue to practice core values as well.
A huge thanks to team RUN DMS for helping us out between robot performance runs 2 and 3. They helped us modify the attachment to push the compost button so that it stuck out farther to the right and had a much better chance of hitting the button. What a great display of gracious professionalism!
While waiting for the awards ceremony, everyone burned off some steam dancing.
There were 12 awards to be given out. It was explained that not all teams receiving an award would advance. We watched as the awards were given out cheering on the teams that won although we did not win an award. We knew our robot score was a bit low as we were ranked 21st. Respectable but not as high as we'd hoped.
Then it came time to announce who would advance to state. They were nearly done announcing the teams that were advancing to state when we heard team 1420 Vance Panthers announced. What a moment that was! We were totally wowed by the announcement!
The smile mixed with tears in this picture sums up the day completely for me...
I would like to extend a special thanks to several people and groups. First, to team parents for supporting their kids and hanging out with us for the day. Second, to Sam and Fiona for investing in our team and kids and coming to visit. Third, for the support of our school. Fourth, to Eddie Lovett for taking Camden's drawing and turning it into our t-shirt design. And, fifth but certainly not last, to Ms. Norwood for stamping 180 buttons and her tireless work helping guide the kids with their project. We couldn't have done this without all your help!
We are taking a break for Thanksgiving to catch our breath and relive the thrill of our successful tournament day, and then we'll be back to work!
