Robot Competition Jan 26, 2019

 

Robot Design:


Addison: We are the RoboThinkers Green Team #31100 from York, Pennsylvania. My name is Addison, I am in 5th grade. My career choice is to be a Biomedical Engineer.
Jahziah: My name is Jahziah, I am in 6th grade and I want be an Aerospace Engineer.
Laura: My name is Laura, I am in 7th grade and I want to be a veterinarian.
Aja: My name is Aja, I am in the 7th grade and I want to be an Aerospace Engineer.
Morgan: My name is Morgan, I am in the 8th grade and I plan to be a public speaker.
Chloe: My name is Chloe, I am in 7th grade and I plan to be a Robotics Engineer.

  1. Robot Facts: Addison: We have a robot design presentation for you. To start, here are some facts about our robot. Our robot's name is LACAJA. We named it this because it's an acronym of every girl's name on the team. We have 3 sensors on our robot. The robot drives with tall tires driven by 2 large motors and pivots on skis with motorcycle wheels. We have 5 attachments to assist in completing 8 missions. We use Lego Mindstorm to program our robot. We have 4 programs with 6 missions complete. They are space travel, which gives us 22 points; solar panel array, 18 points; extraction, which gives us 26 points; 3D printing, which gives us 18 points; escape velocity, which gives us 24 points; and observatory, which gives us 16 points. If each mission is successful, that will be 128 points. We think our most successful missions are observatory and extraction. We are still working on aerobic exercise, strength exercise and lander touchdown.
  2. Innovation & Fun: Jahziah: The most interesting part of our robot is the gear system because we have used multiple gears including a worm gear. We used this gear system because our original design, even though it had torque, it lacked speed. So our new design has speed, torque and accuracy to help us complete missions.
  3. Strategy: Laura: When choosing our missions, we separated the missions that we could complete with and without attachments, figured out the difficulty and how many points they are worth. After gathering all of this information, we decided which missions to attempt and which to combine. The Solar Panel Array and the Space travel missions were combined because they are right next to each other and we were able to use the same attachments. We did the Extraction by itself because it was quick, didn't use a motor and only used 1 attachment.
  4. Design Process: Aja: We knew that we needed to use a worm gear to create torque and accuracy for our attachments. After a few runs, we realized the worm gear was moving too slow. We decided to modify the gear system. We now have a big gear driving a small gear which drives the worm gear that drives a small gear. Not only did this gear system provide torque and accuracy but it created speed that we needed to complete the missions. While some of us worked hard on strategy and programing the missions, others spent our time building the attachments needed to complete them.
  5. Mechanical Design: Morgan: We wanted our robot to be able to ride along, square up and make it easy to line up on the wall and mat so we went with the box shape. Our drivetrain includes 2 larger and medium motors. The 2 large motors drive the motorcycle tires, we used motorcycle tires because they go faster. The medium motors are driving the gear system that is redirecting the power to the attachments so the attachments can be on top instead of in the front. In the gear system, there is a worm gear which makes it so that the attachments are accurate when they are being used in a mission.
  6. Innovation: Chloe: For our program, we used the block by block strategy, that way we can troubleshoot as we are programing. Because our brick is sideways, we use a master program. The program has a switch inside of a loop which is triggered by different colors that make certain programs run. After completing a mission, we test it a few more times before moving on. For one of our runs, we used the color sensors to stop the robot at a certain point on the board. We also used the gyro sensor to help with its turning accuracy. We annotated the program so that it will be easier for our teammates to follow and understand.


Project Presentation:


Addison: We are the RoboThinkers, Green, Team #31100 from York, Pennsylvania. My name is Addison, I am in 5th grade. My career choice is to be a Biomedical Engineer.
Morgan: My name is Morgan, I am in the 8th grade and I plan to be a public speaker.
Aja: My name is Aja, I am in the 7th grade and I want to be an Aerospace Engineer.
Laura: My name is Laura, I am in 7th grade and I want to be a veterinarian.
Jahziah: My name is Jahziah, I am in 6th grade and I want be an Aerospace Engineer.
Chloe: My name is Chloe, I am in 7th grade and I plan to be a Robotics Engineer. We would like to tell you about or project.

  1. Intro: Aja: Radiation is everywhere. For our project we researched how to reduce the harm when exposed to radiation in space. Our astronauts are already taking steps but they are still coming home with problems caused by radiation. First, we needed to know what radiation is.
  2. Radiation is: Addison: Radiation is the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles that cause ionization. There are 3 types of radiation; Alpha, Beta, & Gamma.
  3. Radiation is (cont.): Morgan: Our astronauts are being exposed to the neutrons found in solar radiation which falls in the Gamma category. Solar radiation, generated by the sun's core, is when radiant energy is emitted by the sun due to nuclear fusion reactions. Fusion reaction happens because the sun produces huge quantities of energy from the fusion of hydrogen or helium.
  4. Radiation effects your body: Aja: When exposed to radiation, you will experience: - Nausea - Central nervous system diseases and - Vomiting - Difficulty controlling motor functions - Fatigue
  5. How we got to our solution: Laura: After speaking with the radiation specialist, we found out that radiation absorbs into the skin like ink on porous paper. To help us understand how radiation spreads through the body we did an experiment with a paper towel and a pen. We used a paper towel to represent the skin of the astronaut and the ink is radiation. We held the pen on the paper towel for 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 30 seconds. {Person next to Addison, points to paper towel on board}
  6. How we got to our solution (cont.): Jahziah: Now that we understand what radiation is and what it does to us, we started to research a solution. We spent months looking for a compound that can absorb and break down radiation. We found out that the main ingredient in Legos, thermoplastic polymer, is a good shielding material because it has high hydrogen content, and hydrogen atoms are good at absorbing and breaking down radiation.
  7. Our solution: Chloe: Our idea to reduce the harm from radiation is a smart chip called RAD Chip. Just like pet trackers, the outer layer of the chip will be made out of Bioglass. This chip will be filled with tiny drops of thermoplastic polymer. The smart chip technology will send the detector into the bloodstream every minute. When the detector has returned, it will tell RAD chip the status of the astronaut. If the detector finds radiation, RAD Chip will know that the body is under attack by radiation and will send out a drop of Thermoplastic Polymer. This will continue until one of the drops returns or if RAD chip runs out of drops. We believe that this process will reduce the damage of radiation while the astronaut retreats for professional medical attention.

 

NOW WE HAVE A DEMONSTRATION FOR YOU: Aja: Smart Chip Laura: Detector/Thermoplastic Jahziah: Astronaut Chloe: Blood Morgan: Radiation Addison: Narrator
Addison: Our astronaut is hard at work! She is inspecting the ISS for any damage. While she is outside of the ISS, she is more likely to get harmed by radiation. RAD chip is also
hard at work so she doesn't have to worry as much about radiation and can focus on her job. Let's check out what RAD chip is up to!
Aja: {while pretending to write on clipboard} Detector, are you ready?
Chloe: {while making flowy noises and gestures}
Laura: YES!
Aja: You are cleared to go!
Laura: {Link arm & arm with Chloe -Take a stroll around Jahziah -After you and Chloe return to Aja} Everything is clear!
Chloe: {Continue blood flow noise}
Aja: {While writing on clipboard} 11:42am, everything is clear. Detector, are you ready?
Laura: YES!
Aja: You are cleared to go!
Laura: {Link arm & arm with Chloe -Take a stroll around Jahziah -After you and Chloe return to Aja} Everything is clear!
Aja: {While writing on clipboard} 11:43am, everything is clear.
Annie: {While Laura comes back, make your way to Jahziah and slyly stick a sticker on her arm} Mwaahahha, I have taken over this humans body and made it so that she is sick and unhealthy.
Addison: Or that is what the radiation at least thought, but it turned out that our Astronaut had come prepared with a backup plan.
Aja: Detector, are you ready?
Laura: YES!
Aja: You are cleared to go!
Laura: {Link arm & arm with Chloe -Take a stroll around Jahziah -Remove sticker -After you and Chloe return to
Aja} We ran into a small problem, RAD Chip, prepare the army of Thermoplastic!
Aja: {While writing on clipboard} 11:44am, slight problem. Preparing army of Thermoplastic. Thermoplastic No. 1, are you ready?
Laura: YES!
Aja: You are cleared to go!
Laura: {Link arm & arm with Chloe -Take a stroll around Jahziah -Remove 2 stickers} That is all I can handle. Go back to RAD Chip and retrieve the next Thermoplastic!
Addison: Thermoplastic No. 1 has completed its duties. RAD Chip isn't done yet as it
continues to send out more Thermoplastic drops.
Chloe: {Return to Aja & continue blood flow noise}
Laura: {Return separately from Chloe}
Aja: {while writing on clipboard} Thermoplastic No. 1 has not returned. Thermoplastic No. 2, ARE YOU READY??
Laura: YES!
Aja: You are cleared to go!
Laura: {Link arm & arm with Chloe -Take a stroll around Jahziah -Remove 3 stickers} That is all I can handle. Go back to RAD Chip and retrieve the next Thermoplastic!
{Chloe and Laura, continue removing stickers, silently}
Addison: At this point, our astronaut has started to feel a little queasy. Because of her training, she quickly realized that she must retreat back in to the ISS and seek medical attention.
Jahziah: {holding stomach} I'm not feeling to good. I need to get inside as soon as possible!
Addison: While our astronaut is making her way to the infirmary, RAD Chip does not stop until it is out of Thermoplastic drops.


Core Values:


Addison: We are the RoboThinkers, Green, Team #31100 from York, Pennsylvania.
Addison: My name is Addison, I am in 5th grade. My career choice is to be a Biomedical Engineer. Learning how to build attachments will benefit me in the future.
Chloe: My name is Chloe, I am in 7th grade and I plan to be a Robotics Engineer. FLL teaches me how gears work and the beginning of programing.
Morgan: My name is Morgan, I am in the 8th grade and I plan to be a public speaker. Robotics will help me in the future by giving me experience on speaking in front of people.
Aja: My name is Aja, I am in the 7th grade and I want to be an Aerospace Engineer. This FLL group will benefit me by learning how the mechanics work.
Laura: My name is Laura, I am in 7th grade and I want to be a veterinarian. Building surgery assist robots will help animals recover faster after surgery (Don't say this: Because they make smaller incisions)
Jahziah: My name is Jahziah, I am in 6th grade and I want be an Aerospace Engineer. This FLL program has helped me with social skills and teamwork. Now we have a Core Values presentation that we have prepared for you.

  1. Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas. Chloe: In class, we discovered that everyday things are more difficult in space. There are still problems in space, like exposure to radiation. Steps are taken to prevent it but our astronauts are still exposed to radiation today.

  2. Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems. Morgan: We used creativity and persistence by not giving up after one of our ideas failed. Instead, it took a lot of brainstorming, but we found another solution that just might work.

  3. Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world. Addison: Our team is part of a nonprofit organization called The Young Thinkers of York. We are a unique team because we work together, weekly, with our sister team and we are both all girl teams. Our group is sponsored by the community and individual contributions. Each of us have reached out to local businesses, friends and relatives to gain sponsors. Not only have we received help from our community, we gave back to the community as well. We were involved with "Back to School Drive", First Friday of York and had a spot at the Girl Scout STEM Expo where we educated other students about our program.

  4. Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences. Aja: Getting to know each other helped with our confidence. We are not afraid to express our opinions and suggest ideas for our project. We respect others ideas and never want to exclude anyone. Whenever we have multiple ideas or options, we each explain our idea and everyone takes a vote.

  5. Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together. Laura: We are also not afraid to ask for help. We have had other members of more advanced FLL groups visit us and help with building and programing. Every week, we work together with our sister group. We always help each other because we know that we go further working as a team.

  6. Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do! Jahziah: This season has been full of hard work and fun! During our long practices, we have had face paint and pizza breaks! We were lucky to have been interviewed by ABC 27 and York Daily Record. We have also been on many field trips including visiting York Exponential, the Udvar-Hazy Space Center and we even had a table at the Girl Scouts STEM Expo!