Skip to main content

Learn

Before you can compete in the Buckyball Baskets Challenge, you first need to learn about the intake and the catapult on the CatapultBot, and how they work together to pick up and launch Buckyballs. You also will learn how to use the Controller to drive the CatapultBot, and to intake and launch Buckyballs.

The Intake

An intake is a mechanism designed to precisely, effectively and adaptably pick up, hold and transport objects.

Watch this video to learn about what an intake is, how the intake on the CatapultBot works, and how to use it to pick up, hold and transport Buckyballs.

Open Lesson Summary

Google / .docx / .pdf

The Catapult

A catapult is a lever-style mechanism used to launch objects over a distance.

Watch this video to learn how the catapult on the CatapultBot works, and why it is effective in launching Buckyballs with accuracy.

Open Lesson Summary

Google / .docx / .pdf

Driving the CatapultBot

You can control the intake and the catapult on the CatapultBot using the Controller. 

 

Watch this video to learn how to reverse the direction of the intake motor using the EXP Brain, use the Controller to spin the intake forward and reverse, and control the catapult to launch Buckyballs.

Open Lesson Summary

Google / .docx / .pdf

Check Your Understanding

Before moving on to the Practice section, ensure that you understand the concepts covered on this page by answering the questions in the document below in your engineering notebook. 

Check Your Understanding question Google / .docx / .pdf

Select Next > to practice shooting Buckyballs into the hoop with your CatpultBot. 

<  Back Return to top Next  >