Looking for a place to start with building your robot? Let’s begin with the basics:

First, build a robot that:

• can make sharp/accurate turns - left and right (and how can you test this??)
• has a light sensor that is mounted close to the floor and at the front of the robot
• Has a touch sensor mounted on the front (you’ll probably want to have some kind of activator instead of putting a touch sensor out front all by its lonesome)

HINT: If you have trouble getting started on the building task, you can build the model on page 16 of the Lego Constructopedia (it is the second model after the very basic first one). Keep in mind that this robot has different build-out ‘options’. You can build it with treads or tires and even build different sensor modules for the front of it. You’ll have to do your own tweaking to get a touch AND a light sensor on the front.

HINT: If you have your own robot design, look in the back of your Contructopedia for different ways to add on light sensors and touch sensors.

HINT: Looking for a new design? Try building this tank bot. OR, take a look at THIS site with a lot of new/different robot designs!

HINT: If you have more than one kit in your group, build two different robots to compare how they function (for example, one with treads and one with wheels).

Finally, and this is VERY VERY IMPORTANT, start a team journal with a section for building, programming and brainstorming. Take time to stop and reflect after doing small steps. Write down descriptions and/or drawings about what you build and program so that you can reference what you have done in the past. Update your team journal as often as possible - use it as a working document so you do not forget your ideas. Make predictions and write down theories that you think might work!