Applying VEX GO

Connection to VEX GO

Ocean Science Exploration brings the fun of robotics competitions to the classroom as students explore different underwater areas completing authentic missions with their VEX GO robot. The tasks that the Hero Robot needs to complete to earn points in the competition directly relate to existing or upcoming MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) missions. 

In Lab 1, students build the Competition Advanced 2.0 Hero Bot and drive it using the Drive Tab in VEXcode GO to move game objects from one tile to another, moving sensors to the Underwater Lab Station. This connects back to the ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) named Doc Ricketts who navigated to an underwater lab and research location. Students are introduced to robotics competitions and begin to build skills that allow them to be good teammates to one another as facilitated through conversations and reminders from the teacher.

In Lab 2, students will learn about how to move sensors from the Underwater Lab and place them at the correct ocean locations. The precision required to place these pieces encourages students to slow down and think through the positioning of the robot and of the sensors. In MBARC missions, Doc Ricketts similarly positions itself to document changing ecosystems and aquatic life surrounding hydrothermal vents and volcanoes. Being able to orient the sensors into the correct position exercises student's spatial reasoning in this lab.

In Lab 3, a volcano is added to the field. Students will practice moving a sensor to the Volcano, and will be introduced to the task of lifting the sensor to the top of the Volcano. Doc Ricketts navigated to an underwater lava flow off the coast of Oregon. This was the first time that this geothermal vent was measured using a sensor. Students will need to clearly communicate with one another during the competition so the driver can indicate to their teammate how to place the sensor on the top of the Volcano. That communication is another skill they will be building as they work as a team.

In Lab 4, students will add the final elements to the Field including turbines and the clam holding a pearl. Students will drive their robot to align both turbines with the white beams at the center of the track. They will also drive their robot to flip open the clam, obtain the pearl from the clam, and deliver the pearl to the green tile. By the end of Lab 4, students will have practiced all of the skills necessary to score points in the Ocean Science Exploration Competition. In the MBARC mission, ROVs, like Doc Ricketts, are used to fix turbines. Turbines are a cutting-edge clean energy option functioning as underwater windmills. In addition, ROVs examine and sample destroyed clam populations. Using authentic missions, students learn how engineers problem solve real underwater issues in our world. 

In Lab 5, the class will transform into a competition arena where teams will compete to see how many tasks they can complete in the time limit. They will use what they learned in the previous Labs to develop a game strategy and try to earn a high score!