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Compete

Now it is time to compete in the Bucky Basketball competition! In this timed trial competition, you will control the CatapultBot using the Controller to score points by shooting as many Buckyballs into the hoop as possible. The robot with the highest score at the end of the two minute match wins! Watch the video below to learn the process you can use to apply all the things you have previously learned to the Bucky Basketball competition.

Understanding the Rules

Bucky Basketball is a timed trial competition. The object of the game is to score as many points as possible by shooting Buckyballs into the hoop within a two minute match. The team with the most points after two minutes of play time, wins.

You and your team can apply the engineering design process to determine the most efficient way to drive the CatapultBot to shoot and score Buckyballs. 

There are many strategies you can use to compete successfully in the Bucky Basketball competition.

In this animation, the timer starts at 2 minutes and the robotpushes one of the Buckyballs against a wall to get it into the catapult. It positions itself to throw the ball towards the hoop, where it succeeds and gets 2 points at the 1:48 mark on the timer. The robot repeats this strategy to pick up a second Buckyball, but it misses the shot, throwing the it far out of bounds. Time skips forward until the robot makes its final shot with 6 seconds to go and 14 points. The CatapultBot scores 3 points with 2 seconds to go for a total of 17!

Read this document to analyze and interpret the rules for the competition. Google / .docx / .pdf

As you read the rules, think about how you can use them to develop a game strategy.

Bucky Basketball Competition Field Layout. The CatapultBot is centered along the right wall, opposite the hoop. In front of the hoop on each of the black line intersections sits a Buckyball.

Check Your Understanding

Before moving on to the next video, ensure that you understand the rules of the competition by answering the questions in the document below in your engineering notebook. 

Check Your Understanding questions

Google / .docx / .pdf

Applying the Engineering Design Process

Watch this video about the engineering design process to see how to walk through the steps to continue to develop and iterate on your game strategy, project, or robot design for the Treasure Hunt competition.

Open Engineering Design Process Poster

Collaborative Decision-Making

As you work through the engineering design process, you will need to communicate with your team members. Watch this video to see examples of good communication that you can use while you make decisions with your team.

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