Engineering for Efficiency Part 2

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Career Cluster: Engineering & Technology Education

  Course Type: Tech-Ed High School Technical Educational Programs

  Program Name: Applied Robotics

  Course Number and Title: Foundations of Robotics 9410110

  CIP Number: 0615030330

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with case study, “It’s an Uphill/Downhill Battle” (see CPALMS Resource ID #219139). This is part 2 of a two-part lesson. This lesson is designed to be used after the lesson Engineering for Efficiency Part 1 (See CPALMS resource ID#219477).

• Career Connection

  
  

  This lesson is designed to help students practice the skills of technical research in order to choose the best products in robot design. Students practice the durable skill of collaboration by working peacefully with others to research and create a technical report, utilizing varying strengths and ideas to obtain commongoals, and contribute positively to a team. Students also practice the durable skill of critical thinking by analyzing their research and evaluating the information to make an informed decision about the most efficient way to fix the robots.

• Learning Objectives

  
  
  • Students will conduct technical research to solve a problem.
  • Students will synthesize research into a technical report.
  • Students will orally present a technical report.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  
  • Students need a basic understanding of robotic parts and how they are used.
  • Students need a basic understanding of how to conduct online research.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • How can we improve the design of the robots using technical research?
  • How do different design choices affect cost, feasibility, and ease of implementation?

• Procedure

  
  

  1. To begin the lesson, remind students that today they will be working with their partner from the previous day to further research solutions, robotic technology, and create and present a technical report.

  • Have students take out the case study "It's an Uphill/Downhill Battle" (see CPALMS Resource ID #219139) and reread it individually.
  • In a whole group discussion, review the problems the robots were having and the possible solutions the students came up with by referring to the sticky notes on the board from the previous day.
  • Pose the following questions to the students and discuss together:
    • • What are the key issues the robots are experiencing?
      • What steps should Colton and Carmen take next?
      • What are some ways Colton and Carmen can work together to troubleshoot the issues?
  • Assign each student group one of the following problems to research:
    • • Motors & Torque
      • Tire Design & Traction
      • Center of Gravity & Chassis Stability
      • Battery Efficiency & Energy Management

  2. Explain to the students that they will conduct online research and complete the Research Guiding Worksheet together with their partner.

  • Tell students that they will use the information they gather on the Research Guiding Worksheet to write a technical report using the provided guidlines.
  • Explain to students that they will have time to work and then they will orally present their technical reports to the whole class.
  • Go over the Uphill/Downhill Battle Project Rubric with students and ensure that they understand how they are being assessed.
  • Pass out the Research Guiding Worksheet and the Technical Report Guidlines to students and allow them time to work.
  • Circulate the room and answer student questions as needed.

  3. When the students have completed the technical reports, allow them to begin presenting.

  • When students have finished presenting their reports, ask the class the following future of work questions and allow time to discuss.
    • • Why is it important to research products before purchasing them in the workplace?
      • How does thorough research impact product performance in the workplace?
      • How would you present your findings to a real-world company?

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • This is part 2 of a two part lesson. It is designed to be used with Engineering Efficiency Part 1 (See CPALMS resource ID#219477).
  • If students need extra time, this lesson can be extended to the next day.