Engage

Launch the Engage Section

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

ACTS	ASKS
Demonstrate trying to reach for a can that is placed on a high shelf. Students may respond that you need to stand on your toes, a chair, or move closer to the object to reach it. Explain to students that elderly or people living in assisted living facilities have limited mobility. Introduce the term “mechanism,” to the students. Use a pre-built Adaptation Claw from the VEX GO Kit to show students that you can use the Adaptation Claw to get the can from a high shelf.	Have you ever tried to pick up something, but it was too far away? What did you do to fix that problem? How can you use the Adaptation Claw to pick up objects if you have limited mobility? What if I was an elderly person living in an assisted living facility or had to use a wheelchair? If I couldn't stand on my tiptoes or stand on a chair, how could I get the can? Tell students that you can use a mechanism to help you. A mechanism is a mechanical device to make a task easier. Tell students that we are going to build a mechanism called the Adaptation Claw with the VEX GO Kits. Tell students then will use the Adaptation Claw to test how it moves, functions, and what other things it is able to pick up.

ACTS

ASKS

Demonstrate trying to reach for a can that is placed on a high shelf.
Students may respond that you need to stand on your toes, a chair, or move closer to the object to reach it. Explain to students that elderly or people living in assisted living facilities have limited mobility.
Introduce the term “mechanism,” to the students.
Use a pre-built Adaptation Claw from the VEX GO Kit to show students that you can use the Adaptation Claw to get the can from a high shelf.

Have you ever tried to pick up something, but it was too far away? What did you do to fix that problem?
How can you use the Adaptation Claw to pick up objects if you have limited mobility? What if I was an elderly person living in an assisted living facility or had to use a wheelchair? If I couldn't stand on my tiptoes or stand on a chair, how could I get the can?
Tell students that you can use a mechanism to help you. A mechanism is a mechanical device to make a task easier.
Tell students that we are going to build a mechanism called the Adaptation Claw with the VEX GO Kits. Tell students then will use the Adaptation Claw to test how it moves, functions, and what other things it is able to pick up.

Getting the Students Ready to Build

How can you use the Adaptation Claw to pick up objects if you have limited mobility?

Facilitate the Build

InstructInstruct students to join their groups, and have them complete 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.
DistributeDistribute build instructions to each group. Journalists should gather the materials on the checklist.
FacilitateFacilitate building process.
1. Builders can begin building. If there are multiple builders, they should alternate steps to complete the build.
2. Journalists should assist with build instructions as needed.
  
  Adaptation Claw Build
OfferOffer suggestions and note positive team building and problem solving strategies as teams build together.

Teacher Troubleshooting

It is suggested that the teacher builds an example Adaptation Claw before the Lab to help with students as needed during the building process.
Check to see that students are using the correct pins and standoffs when building the Adaptation Claw since there are different sizes and colors. Reference the VEX GO Kit pieces poster and the build instructions.
Before the Lab, organize the different classroom supplies for each group so they are ready to go.

Facilitation Strategies

Ensure groups are separated when building the Adaptation Claw so VEX GO pieces do not get lost or mixed with other groups.
As a behavior management strategy, remove the rubber bands from the VEX GO Kits until groups need the rubber band for the build.
Encourage students to use the proper names for the pieces in the VEX GO Kit as they build. Rephrase their questions or comments using the correct names when talking with students.
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 (Google Doc / .pptx / .pdf) 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.
- Use the Teacher’s Guide to facilitate student engagement. To focus on VEX GO connections in a more concrete or tangible way, use the Share, Show, or Find prompts on each page to give students an opportunity to get to know their kits in more depth.
- To focus on the habits of mind that support building and learning with VEX GO, like persistence, patience, and teamwork, use the Think prompts on each page to engage students in conversations about mindset and strategies to support successful group work and creative thinking.
- To learn more about using the PDF book and accompanying Teacher’s Guide as a teaching tool any time you are using VEX GO in your classroom, see this VEX Library article.

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