• This exploration will introduce students to basic drive forward, in reverse, and waiting programming behaviors. These basic skills will help them to succeed in the next activity and in the Strike Challenge at the end of this STEM Lab, when they will compete in bowling by using the Speedbot.

• Using the V5 Speedbot (Drivetrain 2-motors, No Gyro) template project enables the students to program the Speedbot to move forward by just selecting the [Drive for] block.

If this is the student’s first time using VEXcode V5, they can reference the Tutorials at any time during this exploration. The Tutorials are located in the toolbar.

• Model each of the troubleshooting steps for the students.

• Since this is a beginning activity with programming, the teacher should model the steps, and then ask the students to complete the same actions. The teacher should then monitor the students to ensure that they are following the steps correctly.

• Make sure that the students have selected Open Examples from the File menu.

• Make sure that the students have selected the Speedbot (Drivetrain 2-motors, No Gyro) template project.

  You can point out to the students that there are several selections to pick from on the Open Examples page. As they build and use other robots, they will have a chance to use different templates.

• You can ask students to add their initials or the name of their group to the project name. This will help differentiate the projects if you ask the students to submit them.

Point out that when they first opened VEXcode V5, the window was labeled VEXcode Project and it was not saved (indicated on the toolbar). VEXcode Project is the default project name when VEXcode V5 is first opened. Once the project was renamed Drive and saved, the display updated to Saved. Using this window in the toolbar, it is easy to check that the students are using the correct project and it is saved.

Once a project is initially saved, VEXcode V5 autosaves any subsequent changes, as indicated by the message next to the project name.

Tell the students that they are now ready to begin their first project. Explain to the students that by just following a few simple steps, they will be able to create and run a project that will move the Speedbot forward.

This is a good point to pause and have the students review the steps that were just completed on starting a new project in VEXcode V5 individually or in groups. Ask the students to reflect individually before sharing within their group or to the whole class.

• Point out that in the programming area, there is already a when started block located there by default. Every project will begin with this block. When the project is started the connected blocks will be followed in the sequence in which they are placed.

  Demonstrate clicking on the drive for block and dragging it to the programming area, connecting it to the {When started} block. You will hear a click when it attaches.

• If you are using a computer, the student should have VEX V5 Robot Brain connected to the computer using a USB cable. If you are using a tablet, the VEX V5 Robot Brain should be connected to the tablet using the Smart Radio.

• If the students are using a computer, ask them to disconnect the USB cable from the Robot Brain. Having the robot connected to a computer while running a project could cause the robot to pull on the connection cable.

Ask the students to predict what they think will happen when this project is downloaded and run on the Speedbot. Tell the students to record their predictions in their engineering notebooks. If time allows, ask each group to share their prediction.

Model running the project in front of the class before having all the students try at once. Gather the students in one area and leave enough room for the Speedbot to move if it is placed on the floor.
Tell the students it is now their turn to run their project. Make sure that they have a clear path and that no Speedbots will run into each other.

• To change the [Drive for] block from forward to reverse, simply click on the drop-down menu and select reverse.

• The number of mm can be changed, but for this example we will leave them at 100 mm as set in the previous step.

• If the students are using a computer, ask remind them to disconnect the USB cable from Robot Brain before running the project.

• Because we are not selecting a new slot, the new project will download to slot 1 and replace the previous project.

• Since VEXcode V5 has autosave, there is no need to save the project again.

• A [Wait] block can be placed anywhere in the project. For more information on the [Wait] block, open the Help.

• Using a [Wait] block will not end the project.

• If the students are using a computer, ask remind them to disconnect the USB cable from Robot Brain before running the project.

• Because we are not selecting a new slot, the new project will download to slot 1 and replace the previous project.

• Since VEXcode V5 has autosave, there is no need to save the project again.

Ask the students to share their solutions in pairs before discussing them as a whole class. Facilitate the discussion by asking:

• Did you face any difficulties while programming this challenge?

• Did your robot behave like you expected based on your project? Why or why not?

• If you could do the challenge over, is there anything that you would have done differently?

Validate that the robot successfully completed the challenge by using a meter stick or ruler and tape to mark a starting position for the robot. Then mark 10 mm, 20 mm, and 40 mm from that starting position as a reference to where the robot needs to move in order to complete the challenge.

A programming rubric to evaluate students can be found here (Google / .docx / .pdf). A rubric for evaluating team engineering notebooks can be found here (Google / .docx / .pdf), and a rubric for evaluating individual notebooks can be found here (Google / .docx / .pdf). Whenever you plan to evaluate student work with a rubric(s), be sure to share the rubric with them before they begin to work on the project.