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 Kit |
For students to build the Code Base and to create the gates on the slalom course. |
1 per group |
VEX GO Tiles and Walls (or other classroom materials) |
To create the slalom course. |
4 Tiles and 8 Walls per slalom course |
Code Base Build Instructions (PDF) or Code Base Build Instructions (3D) |
For students to build the Code Base. |
1 per group |
For students to use VEXcode GO. |
1 per group | |
For students to drive the Code Base using the remote control. |
1 per group | |
For teachers and students to reference throughout the Lab. |
1 for teacher facilitation | |
Editable Google Doc for organizing group work and best practices for using the VEX GO Kit. |
1 per group | |
Pencils |
For students to fill out the Robotics Roles & Routines Checklist. |
1 per group |
To help remove pins or pry beams apart. |
1 per group | |
Get Ready...Get VEX...GO! PDF Book (optional) |
To read with students to introduce them to VEX GO through a story and introductory build. | 1 for demonstration purposes |
Get Ready...Get VEX...GO! Teacher's Guide (optional) Google / .pptx / .pdf |
For additional prompts when introducing students to VEX GO with the PDF Book. | 1 for teacher use |
Engage
Begin the lab by engaging with the students.
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Hook
Connect students to the concept of controlling something using a remote control. Have you ever used a remote control to do something? How does it work? Do you think we control a robot with a remote control? How would that work?
Note: If students are new to VEX GO, use the Get Ready...Get VEX...GO! PDF book and Teacher’s Guide (Google / .pptx / .pdf) to introduce them to learning and building with VEX GO. Add an additional 10-15 minutes to your lesson time to accommodate this additional activity.
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Leading Question
How we can drive our Code Base with a remote control?
- Build Code Base
Play
Allow students to explore the concepts introduced.
Part 1
Model how to connect a Brain to a device, and use the Drive mode in VEXcode GO to remote control drive the Code Base. Students will take turns remote control driving to practice using all four Drive Modes: Tank Drive, Left Arcade, Right Arcade, and Split Arcade.
Mid-Play Break
Students will discuss the different joystick options and how they felt driving with each. They will also discuss the different features in Drive mode including the timer and how it can be used.
Part 2
Students will apply the skills they practiced in Play Part 1 to drive their Code Base through a slalom course. They will use the timer in Drive mode to engage in a timed trial classroom competition.
Share
Allow students to discuss and display their learning.
Discussion Prompts
- What was challenging about remote control driving the Code Base?
- What was easy for you about remote control driving the Code Base? Why do you think you were successful?
- What would you do differently if you were to run the course again, to lower your time?