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Teacher Portal

Engage

Launch the Engage Section

ACTS is what the teacher will do and ASKS is how the teacher will facilitate.

ACTS ASKS
  1. Make a personal connection to the build.
  2. Show the completed build of the Super Car from Lab 2.
  3. Identify that the difference between this build and the last is that they will be adding a motor in this build. Write a list on the board of objects that use motors based on the student answers.
  4. Establish that a motor changes how the machine functions.
  1. Have you ever ridden a bicycle? What is the difference between a motorcycle and a bicycle? (it has a motor, it moves more quickly, a motorcycle doesn’t have to be pedaled)
  2. How did we power our Super Car? (turning the Orange Knob on the rubber band)
  3. What other objects use motors? (lawnmowers, cars)
  4. How will adding a motor to our Super Car affect its speed? Why would using a motor be helpful? (it can be more powerful, go faster, go at a steady speed, travel longer)

Getting the Students Ready to Build

The Super Car uses the rubber band to move. We will now build the same car, but with a motor. How will adding a motor to our Super Car affect its speed? 

Facilitate the Build

 

  1. Instruct Instruct students to join their team, and have them complete the role sign up on the Robotics Roles & Routines sheet. Use the Suggested Role Responsibilities slide in the Lab Image Slideshow as a guide for students to complete this sheet.
  2. Distribute Distribute build instructions to each team. Journalists should gather the materials on the checklist.
  3. Facilitate Facilitate building process.
    • Builders can begin building. If there are multiple builders, they should alternate steps to complete the build.
    • Journalists should assist with build instructions as needed and document all lab results.

      Front view of a completed VEX GO Motorized Super Car build.
      VEX GO Motorized Super Car
  4. Offer Offer suggestions and note positive team building and problem solving strategies as teams build together.

Teacher Troubleshooting

Facilitation Strategies

  • Student “Help Desk” - if groups are having trouble with the build, they can ask other groups for support.  If one group finds a trick or a helpful hint - encourage them to share it with the class.  
  • Offer “in the moment” observations as teams work well, and invite them to share teamwork strategies with the class.
  • For more information on how the VEX GO Gears function in the Super Car build, see the Gears section of the Using VEX GO Wheels, Gears, and Pulleys VEX Library article.
  • Use the Get Ready...Get VEX...GO! PDF Book and Teacher’s Guide - If students are new to VEX GO, read the PDF book and use the prompts in the Teacher’s Guide to facilitate an introduction to building and using VEX GO before beginning the Lab activities. Students can join their groups and gather their VEX GO Kits, and follow along with the building activity within the book as you read.