Objective: Students will be able to create an efficient robot with a partner that will be able to pull a load, push a load, lift a load, maneuver through obstacles, and also drive at the fastest speed possible down a straight away.
Rationale: In the previous lesson, students learned that just because a robot is heavy because of more material used does not mean it will be more powerful. The students learned that the design of their robot, traction, and forward force played an important role in the design and success of the robot. A well thought out design for a specific task, and taking into account the restraints given, will give students the knowledge to create efficient, well thought out robots. In this lesson, students will be required to design a robot that will complete the tasks while also achieving high efficiency. The students will be given a briefing in class with the necessary details.
Principles/ Key Concepts: Gear Ratio, Torque, Momentum, Center of Gravity, Acceleration, Gear Train, Subsystem, Traction, Power, Energy, and Efficiency. Students learned all these principles and concepts in a previous unit.
