{"id":11802,"date":"2016-11-02T10:55:24","date_gmt":"2016-11-01T23:55:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/?p=11802"},"modified":"2017-03-30T12:29:45","modified_gmt":"2017-03-30T01:29:45","slug":"the-maze-challenge-great-for-all-levels-and-ages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/legoeng.local\/the-maze-challenge-great-for-all-levels-and-ages\/","title":{"rendered":"The Maze Challenge: Great for all levels and ages"},"content":{"rendered":"

I teach several classes and camps for kids ages 8-14 using Mindstorms EV3\/NXT. I teach small classes (about 8-12 students) with two kids, one robot, and one computer. We usually start out with the basics: robot parts, terminology, intro to the programming workspace, and basic robot movements. From there I start them on a series of maze-based challenges.<\/p>\n

I have had several different mazes over the years, there are two that work the best for me and my students. Version 1 is made with foam core, duct tape, and decorations:<\/p>\n

\"ev3-robot-maze-version-1a\"<\/a>
Version 1a: Maze<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The side walls are cut from foam core and the hinges are duct tape. Using foam core and duct tape allows the maze structure to be foldable and very lightweight, which is great for travel and storage.<\/p>\n

You can make it as large or small as you need – just make sure you have enough space for the robot to travel and turn without hitting the walls (~15 inches wide for the LEGO Education Robot Educator Model), and that the walls are high enough (~12 inches) for a ultrasonic sensor to detect it.<\/p>\n

To secure the maze walls, I position one side against my room\u2019s wall, and\/or use masking tape to secure it to the ground. As you can see from the condition of the maze, it has been used many, many times. The design also allows for bending it into other shapes like a corral. I use this sometimes with the ultrasonic sensor for other lessons.<\/p>\n

\"ev3-robot-maze-1b\"<\/a>
Version 1b: Unfold the maze to make a corral for other challenges<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Version 2 was created using LEGO 2×4 bricks:<\/p>\n

\"ev3-robot-maze-version-2\"<\/a>
Version 2: Student built design<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We started by planning a basic shape that would allow enough space for the robots to travel and turn. Then the students built it. In this example you can see how we added various colored lines for sensors. Students love creating their own designs, but remember to allow extra time for building.<\/p>\n

Programming the maze <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here are some suggestions for programming the maze challenge starting with basic moves, leading into an exploration of sensors.<\/p>\n

Move blocks<\/strong> – Students can solve the maze using basic move blocks to go forward and turn using rotations\/degrees. Eventually they learn the perfect steering and duration numbers for a 90-degree turn for their robot design. Once they understand that then it\u2019s only a matter of figuring out the different distances between turns.<\/p>\n

They will learn about the challenge of consistency and that frustration and failure is part of the process. For example:<\/p>\n