Technology & Engineering
K-12 On-the-Spot Student Competitions
Consider hosting an on-the-spot challenge in your classroom, afterschool program, or through an interactice family night. Reach out to Carolyn Ferrero at cferrero@nevco.org for more information.
Robotics/Coding Activities
Robots and artificial intelligence touch nearly every aspect of our lives. This technology is guided by code. Students will have the opportunity to engage in activities to code robots in order to solve challenges.
The outcomes for Robotics/Coding Activities are to:
Introduce students to coding
Explore potential career opportunities
Familiarize students with the purpose of robotics in everyday life
Identify the differences between robots and machines
Identify the main components of robots
Introduce students to building and programming robots
RESOURCES FOR THE CLASSROOM
Robotics Programming Lessons for EV3 Robotics
General Guidelines
All entries must be student builds only. Projects should be constructed at school under the supervision of a school staff member or other designee.
No modifications or additions can be made to projects on the day of the challenge. Failure to follow all directions may lead to disqualification.
All questions can be emailed to Dave Lawell at dlawell@gvsd.us
Robotics Programming Challenge
Instructions: The challenge will be announced the morning of the competition. Students with less programming skills will be placed with students who have strong programming skills.
Students will be put in teams of two or three with students from different schools.
Each team will be given a built up Lego Mindstorm EV3 robot and a device with the EV3 software.
Air Rocket Guidelines
Age Range: Fourth through Eighth grade.
Students can bring their own rockets, or build one at the STEAM Expo. Supplies and limited instruction will be available.
Testing: Rockets will be competing for maximum distance. They will be launched at a 45 degree angle, and will be propelled by 60 PSI. The rockets will need to be able to sleeve over a 12 inch by ¾ inch section of schedule 40 PVC pipe. Please note that ¾ inch is the inner diameter of the pipe. Rockets will be fitted around the outer diameter of the pipe.
Materials: Paper and tape. Participants are welcome to experiment with different types of paper and tape to create their rocket.
No additional materials may be used on rockets. Any rocket that contains additional materials will not be eligible for testing.
Additional Planning Resources: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/stomp-rockets/
Richter's Revenge - Earthquake Tower
Age Range: Kindergarten through Eighth grade.
Testing: Your tower must be at least eighth inches tall and constructed of popsicle sticks, straws, and glue. The top must be at minimum a four inch by four inch flat platform to support the load. The tower that supports the greatest load for fifteen seconds will be the winner. Failure will be determined by a one inch sag in the structure.
Materials: Twenty popsicle sticks, twenty straws, hot glue
Mousetrap Racers
Age Range: Kindergarten through Eighth grade.
Testing: Mousetrap racers will be judged on distance traveled. This will be a linear distance measured from starting point to resting point, using the front wheel as a reference point. Racers must be able to start on their own, with no push or assistance from participants.
Materials: One standard mousetrap. No “rat traps” will be allowed. All other materials are the choice of the builder.
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