[kenjones1935]

Here's my idea. It is beginning to take shape.

The underlying purpose is to interest middle school kids in STEM.

Hobby level RC cars are technically really neat but the engineering is mostly cut and try. Missing is an element of formal language combined with intent. By formal language I mean a "blue print" a "recipe" a "musical score" a "program".

I suggest a competition, a race, to be held in the Longsjo Middle School (Fitchburg, Mass) gymnasium plus its lobby. The racing vehicles are 1/10 scale RC hobby level cars or trucks. The race course is delineated on the basketball court by four inch plastic flexible conduit and maybe some traffic cones. The course extends out into the lobby to which there are two doors the width of the basketball court apart.

Inside the lobby is out of sight for the kids handling the RC transmitters. The regular lights are dim in the lobby. A bright light is placed in the doorway that leads back into the gym. The cars must find their own way back into the gym.

Let's guess three or four cars racing each other. The first car to complete three laps wins.

Can I build a car system robust enough to withstand the violence and simple enough to program? I am thinking of a simple language like ROBOlab or Terrapin LOGO. Both of these can easily follow a black line with a light background. I have done that. I think they could also easily find and go to a beam of light.

What do you think?