VEX Robotics DB: Background Information

SE II is a course offered to all of the seniors attending my school. There are two different groups of instructors that guide the systems students to the path of success. The instructors for this particular project are DA and CMcD. Within this group, there are many different projects on which students are working. These include the wave tank, herbarium, and the VEX Robotics. This particular project is the VEX Robotics.

The VEX Robotics system is designed to create an interesting opportunity for students learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The VEX Robotics system not only encourages STEM skills, but it also encourages more personable skills such as team work, problem solving, and leadership. For this course, the VEX Robot must complete a set of challenges, both terrestrial and aquatic

The first challenge for the VEX Robotics to complete is safely move the eggs of the endangered piping plover. The piping plover is a small, shore bird that lives on large, wide open sandy beaches with little vegetation. They are small round birds that are white in color with a black band around their necks and heads. Their habitats are being destroyed by humans. The footprints, which people leave in the sand, are death traps for fledgling piping plovers. They fall in and are unable to leave. One possible solution to correct this is to move the eggs away from populated beaches.

The second challenge for the VEX Robotics system was designed from the Coast Guard Academy STEM challenge. A challenge course was constructed to test the groups’ ability to solve problems and work together to achieve a goal. While doing this challenge, the students are also learning about science, technology, engineering, and math. This challenge will build future leaders in the engineering fields.

References: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/forsythe/piping_plovers.html#live http://www.vexrobotics.com/