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 Kit |
For building the Adaptation Claw. |
1 per group |
Adaptation Claw Build Instructions (PDF) or Adaptation Claw Build Instructions (3D) |
For building the Adaptation Claw. |
1 per group |
Pre-Built Adaptation Claw |
For use by the teacher in the Engage section. |
1 for teacher facilitation |
Lab 1 Image Slideshow Google Doc / .pptx / .pdf |
Visual aids for teacher facilitation. |
1 for teacher facilitation |
Robotics Roles & Routines Google Doc / .docx / .pdf |
Editable Google Doc for organizing group work and materials. |
1 per group |
Data Collection Sheet Google Doc / .docx / .pdf
Lab 1 Data Collection Sheet Example Google Doc / .docx / .pdf
|
Editable Google Doc for Play Part 1 investigation. |
1 per group |
Various Items: water bottles, pencils, markers, empty drink cans |
For the Play Part 1 experiment. |
1 set of 6 items per group |
Plastic Cups |
For the Play Part 2 Challenge. |
10 per group |
Timer |
For the Play Part 2 Challenge. |
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 Doc / .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
Have you ever tried to pick up something, but it was too far away? What did you do to fix that problem?
Students will be introduced to how mechanisms are used in assisted living facilities or for those with limited mobility to help people. Students will make connections between the Adaptation Claw and real-world situations.
Note: If students are new to VEX GO, use the Get Ready...Get VEX...GO! PDF book and Teacher’s Guide (Google Doc / .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 can you use the Adaptation Claw to pick up objects if you have limited mobility?
-
Build Adaptation Claw
Play
Allow students to explore the concepts introduced.
Part 1
Explore the Adaptation Claw! Investigate and fill out the list of questions to test and learn about the Adaptation Claw. Did it work as expected?
Mid-Play Break
Groups will go over their checklist and talk about the functions of the Adaptation Claw. What parts of the claw work together to make the claw close?
Part 2
Groups will create a strategy to build a tower using the Adaptation Claw to stack as many plastic cups as possible in one minute. This challenge will be based in a real world application of completing a task with limited mobility, where students will need to stack cups on a desk, but must remain sitting in a chair.
Share
Allow students to discuss and display their learning.

Discussion Prompts
- What did you find difficult/challenging when working with the Adaptation Claw?
- How could the Adaptation Claw help people with limited mobility?
- Can you think of an example where the use of the Adaptation Claw could make a task easier or more efficient?