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 |
To build the Pantograph build. |
1 per group |
|
To build the Pantograph build. |
1 per group | |
|
Pre-built Pantograph |
To model the build for students. |
1 for teacher demonstration |
|
Pre-built Astronaut |
To model the astronaut for students. |
1 for teacher demonstration |
|
For teachers and students to reference throughout the Lab. |
1 for teacher facilitation | |
|
For students to trace their school elements in the Play sections. |
1 per group | |
|
Plain paper |
For each student to create their own designs. |
1 per group |
|
Engineering Design Process Organizer (Google / .docx / .pdf) |
An organizer to make notes in the Engage and Play sections. |
1 per group |
|
Editable Google Doc for organizing group work and best practices for using the VEX GO Kit. |
1 per group | |
|
For use in building and adapting models. |
1 per group | |
|
Pens or Pencils |
For completing Play Parts 1 and 2. |
1 per student |
|
Colored pencils/markers (optional) |
For adding color or details to final designs. |
1 package per group |
Engage
Begin the lab by engaging with the students.
-
Hook
Introduce students to the type of competition called a design bid. Explain how competitions can generate lots of new and different ideas, especially for a challenging project, like designing a school in space. Students will be introduced to the Engineering Design Process Organizer where they will record the challenges of designing an astronaut school.
-
Leading Question
How would you design a school for astronauts?
-
Build
Students will build—or update—the Pantograph according to the build instructions. Students will also construct the astronaut figure.
Play
Allow students to explore the concepts introduced.
Part 1
Students will collaborate to sketch a large outline of what shape their astronaut school will be. Using the Pantograph, students will trace a smaller version for each group member. Each group member can create design ideas on their smaller copy to get ideas for their design bid. Students will make notes about their individual ideas in the Engineering Design Process Organizer.
Mid-Play Break
As a class, students can share different design ideas. Students will discuss how the Pantograph was a helpful tool in the design process.
Part 2
Students will collaborate and decide on a final school design based on their individual ideas. Students will change the Pantograph build to trace a larger copy of their design ideas from Play Part 1. Students will record their improved design ideas on the Engineering Design Process Organizer. Students will add all of their final design details and submit their bid for the astronaut school.
Share
Allow students to discuss and display their learning.
Discussion Prompts
- What worked well in your design process?
- How did the Pantograph help in the design process?
- If you could make more changes to your astronaut school design, what would it be?