VEX Robotics! building a testbed...
Currently the POE class is in the process of creating a standard testbed using the VEX equipment. This testbed will allow students to test and "debug" the different sensors and motors, while learning how to write basic C code using the RobotC software.
Activity #1 investigation of simple machines
Introduction
Greek mathematician, physicist, astronomer, and engineer Archimedes boasted, “Give me a place to stand, and with a lever I will move the whole world.” Archimedes never moved the world, but he did change the world through the development of simple machine mechanisms.
In this activity students will explore the function and characteristics of the lever, wheel and axle, and pulley systems. The students will see firsthand how simple machines manipulate energy to create a desired output.
Greek mathematician, physicist, astronomer, and engineer Archimedes boasted, “Give me a place to stand, and with a lever I will move the whole world.” Archimedes never moved the world, but he did change the world through the development of simple machine mechanisms.
In this activity students will explore the function and characteristics of the lever, wheel and axle, and pulley systems. The students will see firsthand how simple machines manipulate energy to create a desired output.
In this activity, the class was broken up into different groups. Each group was responsible for designing, building and testing one of the six simple machines. Testing included determining the Ideal Mechanical Advantage by calculating the Effort and Resistance Distances, then calculating the Actual Mechanical Advantage by using Logger Pro (computer software). After they determined both the IMA and AMA, they will be able to calculate the efficiency of their simple machine design.
Once they complete the testing for their simple machine, they will then switch with another group and repeat the process until each group has tested all the simple machines.
Once they complete the testing for their simple machine, they will then switch with another group and repeat the process until each group has tested all the simple machines.