KZS Project Number: 51-KZS-0401 DEVELOPING A ROBOTICS OUTREACH PROGRAM An Interactive Qualifying Project Report submitted to the faculty of WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science by Sean P. Donovan Alexander H. Hecht Justin M. Woodard Date: March 3, 2005 Approved: Professor Kenneth A. Stafford, Major Advisor Brad A. Miller, Co-Advisor Abstract The WPI-EBOT educational robotics program was designed as a low-cost way to teach basic engineering and programming principles and to encourage high school students to pursue an education in engineering or science. The project group recruited local high schools, trained teachers at those schools, and worked directly with students to assist them in building a competitive robot. The schools’ response to the project was overwhelmingly positive, and they plan to remain involved for years to come. i Table of Contents Abstract............................................................................................................................................ i Table of Figures .............................................................................................................................. v 1 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 General Background ........................................................................................... 1 1.2 WPI-EBOT ......................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Goals................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Massachusetts Framework Objectives................................................................ 6 2 Background............................................................................................................................. 7 2.1 Overview............................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Existing competitions.......................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 FIRST.......................................................................................................... 9 2.2.2 miniFIRST and Savage Soccer at WPI....................................................... 9 2.2.3 FLL ........................................................................................................... 10 2.2.4 BEST......................................................................................................... 11 2.2.5 Botball....................................................................................................... 11 2.2.6 RoboCup Junior........................................................................................ 12 2.2.7 BattleBots IQ ............................................................................................ 12 2.3 Desired Traits for WPI-EBOT.......................................................................... 14 3 Procedure .............................................................................................................................. 16 3.1 Overview........................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Early Preparation .............................................................................................. 17 3.3 Supporting Teams............................................................................................. 19 3.3.1 Workshop 1: Mechanics ........................................................................... 19 3.3.1.1 Objectives ............................................................................................. 19 3.3.1.2 Methodology......................................................................................... 19 3.3.1.3 Key Points............................................................................................. 21 3.3.2 Workshop 2: Programming....................................................................... 21 3.3.2.1 Objectives ............................................................................................. 21 3.3.2.2 Methodology......................................................................................... 22 3.3.2.3 Key Points............................................................................................. 23 3.3.3 Workshop 3: Advanced Topics................................................................. 23 3.3.3.1 Objectives ............................................................................................. 23 3.3.3.2 Methodology......................................................................................... 24 3.3.3.3 Key Points............................................................................................. 25 3.3.4 Online Archives........................................................................................ 25 3.3.5 In-School Mentoring................................................................................. 27 3.4 The Competition ............................................................................................... 29 3.4.1 The Kit...................................................................................................... 29 3.4.2 The Game.................................................................................................. 30 3.5 The Role of Mentors......................................................................................... 32 4 Results................................................................................................................................... 33 4.1 Survey............................................................................................................... 35 4.1.1 Objectives ................................................................................................. 35 4.1.2 Results of Survey...................................................................................... 35 4.2 Interviews.......................................................................................................... 37 ii 4.2.1 South High Community School................................................................ 37 4.2.2 Doherty Memorial High School................................................................ 38 4.2.3 North High School.................................................................................... 39 4.2.4 Conclusions from Interviews.................................................................... 39 4.3 Team Forum...................................................................................................... 41 5 Conclusions........................................................................................................................... 43 6 Appendices............................................................................................................................ 46 Appendix A: Glossary ............................................................................................ 46 Appendix B: Massachusetts Framework Objectives.............................................. 48 Appendix C: Mentoring Journals ........................................................................... 49 C.1 Alexander...................................................................................................... 49 C.1.1 Spring visits with schools:.................................................................... 49 C.1.2 Fall visits with schools:......................................................................... 49 C.1.3 Post Fall Visits:..................................................................................... 51 C.1.4 Workshops:........................................................................................... 51 C.1.5 Build Season visits................................................................................ 52 C.1.6 Competition........................................................................................... 56 C.2 Sean............................................................................................................... 58 C.2.1 Doherty ................................................................................................. 58 C.2.2 North High............................................................................................ 58 C.2.3 South High............................................................................................ 59 C.3 Justin............................................................................................................. 60 C.3.1 North High 11-21-04............................................................................. 60 C.3.2 South High 11-21-04............................................................................. 60 C.3.3 Doherty 11-24-04.................................................................................. 60 C.3.4 North High 12-02-04............................................................................. 60 Appendix D: Interview Transcripts........................................................................ 62 D.1 Doherty ......................................................................................................... 62 D.2 North ............................................................................................................. 77 D.3 South