Incursion Sessions For Students
Excellent Fun For Boys - Robot Soccer Challenge
Based on the RoboCup Junior Australia model, students will aim to program robots to autonomously play soccer while putting their ICT, higher order thinking, science and math’s skills through a real workout.
This is the hardest level of programming. The robots usually have a light sensor facing forward to seek the ball, another pointing downwards to read the soccer field base ( for goal direction) , two drive motors and sometimes touch sensors to stop them fouling against other robots and the walls. There is a high degree of co-operation and team skills involved at this level. In game-play a team of 2 robots plays against a team of another two robots, each team has a designated “goal” end of the field. The robots pursue a re chargeable light-emitting ball and shoot towards their nominated goal pocket. In competition play there’s a human umpire. The degree of competency students achieve during this session is quite variable, however the aim of successfully pursuing a ball ( or following a torch light) would be probable and will provide a firm basis on which to build the rest of the soccer program.
Supplied Equipment
My Software – ™ ® LEGO ®MINDSTORMS NXTg / LEGO RoboLab 2.9.3 programming software
My Hardware-
- 15 Laptop Computers with all associated electrical leads and power-boards
- Data Projector
- 15 LEGO NXT basic robot with light, sound, ultrasonic, touch and angle sensors
- Torches etc.
- RoboCup Junior Soccer Ball
- RoboCup Junior Gen2 Soccer Mat
(I can use your LEGO sets if you wish, especially if you have RCX robots)
Robots and LEGO Equipment
Session Details
Suitable For years – 7 – 10
Session Length – Best outcomes are obtained with a full day ( or half day minimum) due to the number of skills we are employing.
Student Skills Required – some computer experience and competence with a mouse. Basic LEGO NXT / RoboLab Inventor programming experience.
Preparation – Ideally students should have completed the Robotics Background Activities to place robots in context and for the best educational outcome.
Follow these links to the Robotics Background activities that will prepare your class and maximise outcomes
Students should also have visited the RoboCup Junior Web-site, download and discuss the soccer rules
Additional Requirements
A school hall or Art/craft room is the ideal room for this activity as we will use quite a large space to allow the robots to roam.