1. Exploring Computer Science Lesson 6-11
Rescue Robot Project
Exploring Computer Science
Lesson 6-11

2. Objectives Students will be able to:
Design, build, and program a robot that solves a stated problem.

3. Problem
Your robot is being sent in a mission to see if there are any victims after a disaster.
The robot’s job is to follow the course without getting lost.
When it encounters an victim:
Sound an alarm
Flash a red light (change the display light to red)
Count the victim and display “Victims: X” on the screen
Go around the victim, turn the display light back to green and move on
Extra credit if your time beats my time…

4. Rubric Points: 30 25 21 17 13 Successful Solution
Meets criteria and displays an accurate victim count on the screen.
Solution clearly solves the problem but does not provide an accurate victim count.
Solution solves problem inelegantly or inefficiently.
Solution does not completely solve problem.
No reasonable attempt made to solve problem.
Programming
Program uses advanced techniques including Boolean logic, Complete palette blocks, etc. Program demonstrates extraordinary creativity or unique way of solving problem
Program is straightforward and efficient, and uses appropriate programming constructs. Program has a reasonable algorithm for solving problem and uses good logic.
Program is straightforward and easy to understand. Program is inefficient. Program has a reasonable algorithm for solving problem.
Program is poorly written or difficult to understand. Program has unused parts or does not correctly control robot. Algorithm is strained.
Program does not work. Program does not solve problem effectively.

5. Rubric Points: 30 25 21 17 13 Construction
Robot constructed using advanced gearing or other advanced construction techniques. Robot demonstrates extraordinary creativity.
Robot is of sound construction: nothing falls off, robot works as intended. Mechanics used well to achieve desired outcome. Robot can solve problem repeatedly.
Robot works as intended, but some extraneous parts fall off. Moderate degree of repeatability: robot will run again but must be adjusted or fixed.
Robot does not work as intended, but does move. Robot falls apart. Very simple construction – mechanics not used well. Robot cannot run repeatedly.
Robot falls apart or does not move at all. Construction appears careless
or haphazard.
Cooperation
Student(s) helped other groups
Student worked well with group. Student participated actively in all parts of project.
Student worked somewhat well with group. Student participated in most parts of project.
Student had trouble working with group. Student participated in few parts of project.
Student did not participate in project. Student sabotaged others’ work.

6. How to start?
Before you worry about victims you must be able to follow the line. There are various ways to do this…
You only have one light sensor so you code must use just the one sensor
There is a tutorial on line following. You can try that. There are also resources on the web.
Victims
You can either use the ultrasonic sensor or the touch sensor.
Code your robot to go around the victim and then resume the line following

7. Step 1 - Line Following
The “Switch” tutorial is a line following program, but it might not work for your robot and this course!
If your robot is going in circles then go to the “Port View” and check the light sensor on the white and on the line. Adjust the light sensor condition in your code to match what you see.
If your robot is getting lost on the turns then you can:
Adjust the speed. Slow it down
Rather than running one wheel forward and stopping the other wheel, have the one wheel move forward and the other wheel move backward (at about ½ the speed)