Runaway Rover

MISSION MATERIALS

Computer with USB port and Chrome or Edge browser

Piper Make Base Station or Starter Kit

Piper Make Rover

MISSION RESOURCES

Learning Goals

Understand the structure of a blueprint and how to read one accurately to successfully build the desired object/robot/etc. Soft Skills
- Understanding the flow of reading a blueprint and how it can differ from other sets of instructions that students may be used to.
- Attention to detail and precision which is necessary for the robot to be built correctly the first time, i.e. putting specific parts before others, not overtightening, etc.
- Allows students to work on fine motor skills in a natural setting with a satisfying conclusion.
Collaboration and Team Building Working in pairs, one student will inevitably take the lead while the other will follow the lead. This gives students exposure to these unique roles in an organic setting that feels natural.
Understand the role of each wiring component: Voltage (5V in this case), ground, job of resistor and what is the purpose of connecting wires to the 0 & 1 slot. Soft Skills
- Allow students to continue working on fine motor skills by using hand tools and hardware they may not have exposure to at home or school.
- Learn how to use hand tools in a correct manner by learning that right tightens a screw/bolt and left loosens a screw/bolt and what it mean to turn something clockwise and counter clockwise. 21st Century Skills Learn about electronics, closing a circuit and how signals are emitted via electricity. Students will gain an understanding for calibrating a device or machine before extended use. Soft Skills and 21st Century Skills Understand how the different legs of an LED carry different charges, which means accuracy and attention to detail is needed for success.
Connecting negative numbers to a number line and in real life situations
- Students will gain a real world understanding and application about how negative numbers are used
- Students will understand that a negative number moves the opposite direction of a positive number
- Students will see a real world example of how using negative numbers are necessary to accomplish a task
Learn how time and speed are related
- Students will gain a real world understanding how speed is related to time and distance
- Students will begin to understand that speed running at 100% doesn't always mean completing the task the fastest way possible
- Students will develop and understanding of how to balance speed vs power vs time, i.e. that going too fast can reduce accuracy and that there are situations where we are unable to move the fastest we possibly can
- Students will naturally understand how long true time feels vs counting, i.e. they will need to program timed stops for the robot to move accurately. This will allow to see how long 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, etc. feels. This goes against students being used to counting down out loud
Understand the following vocabulary and how they are similar/contrast: function, logic, loops, variable.

Learning Activities

The following sections will contain step by step instructions for ELA, ELD and Math extensions directly related to this Mission. Adjust the directions to fit your ELA, ELD and Math standards.

ELA Extension: How I Lost Control (reflection / narrative) Have students work independently to write a one, three or five paragraph story about a time that they lost control. It could be when they were upset, were riding a bike too fast, running too fast or even moving too slow for a situation.

Have students reflect back on a situation that they experienced directly or witnessed
What consequences happened becua they were too fast or too slow, etc?
Have them include how the speed affected their accuracy, timing, etc. that led to the consequences
Have them include what they would have done differently and the lesson or lessons they learned from that situation
Make sure students share their story with two other students for feedback and make the appropriate changes
Add a dash of art into this activity by giving the option to draw their robot during the dancing competition, winning, losing, etc.

ELD Extension: Lost Control Theater Create pairs or a group of 3 students up with varying EL levels in the group, i.e. one EO with 2 ELs, two EOs with one EL, please avoid having students at the same level working together.

Students will write a short script about a situation where someone loses control
The character can lose controls emotionally or physically, this is entirely up to the group
Make sure that students include how control is lost, tying it back to the speed, time, etc
Students will practice their play with other groups and then perform it in front of the class
Make sure students include lines in their native language, i.e. Spanish, German, etc. and have one of the members be the voice over to translate
A second option for these lines is to use butcher paper to create subtitles that a partner holds up as they speak, almost as if the students are watching it on TV

Math Extension: How Are Speed and Time Related? Pair students up or allow them to pick their partners

Partner A will be rotating, Partner B will be in charge of rotating Partner A. They will eventually switch roles
Connect back to the Runaway Rover activity and ask them to describe what the connection between speed and time is
Students will need plenty of space so working outside will be beneficial
Students will develop a slow walk speed, a regular walk speed and a fast walk speed
Partner A will go first and Partner B will measure how long each walks takes to get from a predetermined Point A and Point B
They will switch roles and collect the information
Students will work to figure out how many times faster each walk speed is versus each other
Create a small obstacle course of varying items that will require students to adapt using each of their walk speeds
Have students reflect and share why they used a specific walk speed versus the others