5th Grade  Project 4 weeks

RoboQuest: Build, Code, Conquer!

Aatash P
Updated
1B-AP-16
1B-AP-10
1B-AP-09
Plan and design
Identify and explore design problems
+ 3 more
1-pager

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage fifth-grade students in hands-on learning by designing and building robots to solve real-world tasks. Through collaboration with local tech university mentors and utilizing recycled components from tech companies, students will explore basic engineering and programming concepts. This project aims to develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and an understanding of scientific phenomena through modeling and iteration.

Learning goals

Students will design and build robots to understand basic engineering and programming concepts, including sequences, events, loops, conditionals, and variables. They will collaborate with peers and mentors to identify problems, generate ideas, and evaluate solutions. Through hands-on activities, students will develop and test prototypes, using models to represent scientific phenomena and refine their designs based on feedback.

Standards
  • [Computer Science Teachers Association] 1B-AP-16 - Take on varying roles, with teacher guidance, when collaborating with peers during the design, implementation, and review stages of program development.
  • [Computer Science Teachers Association] 1B-AP-10 - Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals.
  • [Computer Science Teachers Association] 1B-AP-09 - Create programs that use variables to store and modify data.
Competencies
  • Science - Design Solutions - Plan and design (SCI.4.4) - I can create a detailed plan or prototype for the chosen solution.
  • Science - Design Solutions - Identify and explore design problems (SCI.4.1) - I can identify and articulate problems that need solutions and research and gather relevant information to understand the problem.
  • Science - Design Solutions - Generate ideas and evaluate solutions (SCI.4.2) - I can generate ideas for solving a problem and evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of different solutions.
  • Science - Conduct Scientific Inquiry through Investigation and Modeling - Develop and use models (SCI.1.2) - I can develop and use models to represent and understand scientific phenomena
  • Science - Design Solutions - Test and iterate (SCI.4.5) - I can implement the solution according to the plan, test the solution, and make necessary adjustments based on feedback.

Products

Students will design and construct functional robots capable of completing specific tasks, showcasing their understanding of engineering and programming concepts. They will develop detailed plans and prototypes, documenting their process in a project journal. By the end of the project, students will present their robots and journals to peers, mentors, and community partners, highlighting their problem-solving skills and iterative design process.

Launch

Begin the project with a visit from engineering students from a local tech university, who will demonstrate simple robots and discuss their functions. Engage students in a brainstorming session to identify problems that robots could solve in their daily lives. Introduce the recycled electronic components provided by a nearby tech company, encouraging students to think creatively about how these materials can be used in their designs.

Exhibition

Organize a Robotics Showcase where students present their completed robots to peers, family, and community members, highlighting the tasks their robots can solve. Invite engineering mentors and tech company representatives to provide feedback and celebrate the students' achievements. Incorporate interactive stations where attendees can engage with the robots and learn about the design and programming process from the students.