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Summary

Materials Needed

The following is a list of all the materials that are needed to complete the VEX GO Lab. These materials include student facing materials as well as teacher facilitation materials. It is recommended that you assign two students to each VEX GO Kit.

In some Labs, links to teaching resources in a slideshow format have been included. These slides can help provide context and inspiration for your students. Teachers will be guided in how to implement the slides with suggestions throughout the lab. All slides are editable, and can be projected for students or used as a teacher resource. To edit the Google Slides, make a copy into your personal Drive and edit as needed.

Other editable documents have been included to assist in implementing the Labs in a small group format. Print the worksheets as is or copy and edit those documents to suit the needs of your classroom. Example Data Collection sheet setups have been included for certain experiments as well as the original blank copy. While they offer suggestions for setup, these documents are all editable to best suit your classroom and the needs of your students.

Materials Purpose Recommendation

VEX GO Kits

For building the Steering Super Car.

 *2 Kits per build

Pre-built Motorized Super Car (optional)

For teacher demonstration during Engage.

 1 for teacher demonstration

Lab 4 Image Slideshow

 

For teacher and student reference.

 1 for teacher facilitation

Steering Super Car Build Instructions

*Requires 2 VEX GO Kits

For students to build the Steering Super Car. 

 1 per group

Robotics Roles & Routines Google / .docx / .pdf

Editable Google Doc for organizing group work and best practices for using the VEX GO Kit.

 1 per group

Data Collection Sheet (Google / .docx / .pdf ) or Lab 4 Data Collection Example (Google / .docx / .pdf )

Editable Google Doc for organizing group work and best practices for using the VEX GO Kit.

 1 per group

Pencils

For students to record data, document design ideas and fill out the Robotics Roles & Routines worksheets.

 1 per student

Timer

To time test drives on the test course.

 1 per class

Materials for a Drivers Test Course (tape, flags, boxes, or other classroom objects)

To test steering through use of the motor permutations. Must be built prior to the beginning of the Lab. 

 1 test course per class.

Pin Tool

To help remove pins or pry beams apart.

 1 per group

Engage

Begin the lab by engaging with the students.

  1. Hook

    Ask students to stand up and link arms with one person. Have each group turn to the right and ask them to think about how they moved. Did both of you move? Why or why not? If both of you moved, which direction did your feet move? Have the students try again and pay attention to how they navigated to move to the right or left. 

  2. Leading Question

    Can your Motorized Super Car turn? If not, what do you think needs to change to allow it to turn?

  3. Build Steering Super Car
    Groups will build the Motorized Super Car (if they have not already), then combine their Motorized Super Car with another group to create a Steering Super Car.
    * This build requires 2 VEX GO Kits.

Play

Allow students to explore the concepts introduced.

Part 1

Groups will pair up to combine their Motorized Super Cars together. Groups will observe 9 permutations of how both motors will move (forward, off, reverse for each motor). Students will predict the movement (in drawing or word format), test it, and then draw their observations.

Mid-Play Break

Discuss unbalanced forces in the context of the combined car and highlight the main aspects of how the cars turn together. An unbalanced force results in the car moving. Students should begin to recognize patterns.

Part 2

Groups will use their observations from part 1 to compete to see which car can navigate a Driver Test course the fastest. Groups will have to navigate through the course using turning movement. 

Share

Allow students to discuss and display their learning.

Discussion Prompts

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