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Unread 04-05-2006, 20:12
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Not2B Not2B is offline
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AKA: Brian Graham
FRC #0862 (Lightning Robotics)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Farmington Hills, Mi
Posts: 401
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Re: Training for the upcoming underclassmen?

Getting the students to work on an old robot is good. Maybe a summer project...

What we do, and it's been good and popular, it not to train them on tools or motors or such, but teach them and prep them for FIRST.

- I run a FIRST-esque game that has them build ping pong balls shooters with a kit of parts (all office supplies).

- Then we do a communications game where they have to built a "thing" out of tooth picks and mini marshmellows - and only one person can see the thing they are building, and that one person can not touch anything.

- We do a drinking straw and tape tower to learn about structures

- We do a robo-code game to get the freshmen thinking about auto modes. Learn more at http://robocode.sourceforge.net/?Ope...-prod-robocode - a student runs a competition all season long

- Thinking about adding in a mouse trap powered car contest to go over torque, force, and friction

- We do a post season wire-controlled sumobot contest - just for fun. OK... it's sumo-esque. It's like battle bots, we destroy each other - good to get out pent up agression in a fun, safe way. We allow newbies to join, and help them build robots.

- Reprogram old robots - let the freshmen give it a try.

If you want details on the ping pong, tower, communications game, robocode, sumo, or anything else - let me know. I'm trying to get these out for everyone, but if you need it soon, I can get you a un-edited copy.
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Brian Graham