Distribute Mission Logs to students to record their flights and notes about using the motorized hook (Google Doc / .docx / .pdf).

Note that the count metrics in the upper left corner of the simulator are different in the Competition layout. Students can use the “Drop Zone” option in the metrics area to determine when the orbit ball has been placed in the correct location.

The goal of this mission is for students to practice using the motorized hook to pick up and move orbit balls. Students can choose which orbit ball on the field to try to pick up, and they can attempt to pick up a different orbit ball with each practice flight if they think that will help. As students are completing the mission, circulate around the room. Ask questions to help them articulate their practice like:

• How are you positioning the drone in relation to the orbit ball? What controls help you the most? 
• When do you lower the motorized hook? At the beginning or your flight or before you move to collect the orbit ball? Why?
• How are you using the reticle to help with alignment? 

This mission will take time, practice, patience, and persistence – help students to verbalize strategies and tips with others as they fly or record their flights.

• If students get frustrated, have them take a break from piloting then come back with a new idea to try. A new idea could include starting from a different platform, changing how they approach the orbit ball, what orbit ball they are targeting, or many other options. Share with students different ideas to help them remember there is more than one way to solve a problem.
• Repeatability and precision are the keys to a successful mission. Make sure all students have time to fly the mission successfully multiple times.
  • If you have students looking for an additional challenge, encourage them to attempt to pick up orbit balls from the center pickup area that includes both cargo and orbit balls. The close alignment of objects requires additional precision and practice.

Answers to the Check Your Understanding questions can be found here. (Google Doc / .docx / .pdf)

Before moving on to the mini-challenge, come back together for a whole class discussion about moving objects with the drone. Have students compare and contrast using the Magnet Module with cargo vs. the Motorized Hook Module with orbit balls. Which is easier or more challenging for them? Why? What strategies have students learned that helped them improve their precision and success?