Members of the OU Robotics Outreach Group have been running hands on school and community workshops using the Lego Mindstorms robot invention system. Typically, these activities have been based around remote control activities using prebuilt robots, programming workshops using prebuilt robots or hybrid workshops involving simple robot construction and programming tasks.
In this presentation, we describe a new activity format - a robot construction activity using a preprogrammed robot controller capable of solving a situated task based on the popular RoboCupJunior robot rescue challenge.
Abstract For the last four years, members of the OU Robotics Outreach Group have been running hands on school and community workshops using the Lego Mindstorms robot invention system. Typically, these activities have been based around remote control activities using prebuilt robots, programming workshops using prebuilt robots or hybrid workshops involving simple robot construction and programming tasks. In this presentation, we describe a new activity format - a robot construction activity using a preprogrammed robot controller capable of solving a situated task based on the popular RoboCupJunior robot rescue challenge. Participants are required to construct a mobile robot around the controller according to a minimal specification that identifies all necessary electrical connections and also hints at an appropriate sensor placement. In piloting this activity, the preprogrammed controller required participants to calibrate the single sensor used in the challenge, which provided an opportunity for a small scale scientific investigation activity. We also explore ways in which automatic calibration routines can be reduced introduced to simplify the task (and reduce the time/expertise required to complete it). An appealing feature of the challenge type addressed by the preprogrammed controller (edge following with obstacle resolution) is the ability to use the same problem format in a wide variety of contextualised scenarios. For example, we discuss how the same robot control programme can be used to run essentially the same activity but with a different backstory, such as a robot rescue challenge or a robot treasure hunt. The support and instructional materials required to run the activity and the amount of (teacher) training required to deliver it are minimal compared to robot challenges involving a programming component. The need for programming workstations (ideally one PC per group of up to 4 participants) is also avoided. Finally, we explore the potential for activites based on other preprogrammed tasks and the factors that make any one control programme reusable in several different activity contexts.
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