6M_9

= G r o u p 9 : T h a l i a, T a y l a = = = = a n d G e o r g i a  = = = 6M: Tayla, Thalia, and Georgia 6B: Brendan, Dean, Max and harrison

Tayla~ Term 1~ In Term 1 we were put in to groups of three, Tayla, Georgia and Thalia. We then had to design our own robot so we did but it wasn’t very good. Soon we were paired up with a group from the other class and we got put with Brendan, Harrison, Dean and Max. We went with their design because it was much better. We started building but the design didn’t work so Brendan and Tayla went over to the computer and looked ate the designs. We liked a few but we didn’t end up doing any. We started to build off the top of our heads and we tried 3 times but it kept failing until we finally thought of a drag racer as we saw in a book. We changed ours a lot though and it turned out even better. Then we went back in to our 6M and 6B groups and started to make a dance. We ended up choosing the song ‘Hey Ya’ and I think it goes well with our robot. We started to make up a dance with many ideas but we ended up deleting them because it wasn’t working. It was a dificult challange to program the robot as it had such a unique and fragile design. Our motors were positioned opposite to where the head is so we have to make it go backward to move forward and forward to go backwards. A few of our moves we wanted to put in couldn't be incorperated as the design got in the way. This is what set us back for the first term. We used the first term to figure out how our robot moved and what we could and couldn't do, i believe this helped us with our dance as we knew our limitations. We have managed to keep our robot the way we first built it.

Thalia~ Term 2~ At the start of Term 2 we began to make our real dance. We hadn’t even listened to the song in making 15 seconds but soon found out it all went in time, we were happy. Then Thalia thought of a great idea because at the start of ‘Hey Ya’ it goes ‘1, 2, 3, 4” so we started it right after the ‘4’ which made our dance in timing with the song even better. So far we have made 30 seconds of the dance and are half way but we are being tested in Week 10, Term 2 so we need to get a move on. We have made a great costume for our robot with ribbons, bows and other great accessories. We are all very happy with our dance and robot so far and are looking forward to testing day because we think our robot has a chance. Term 2 went quite smotthely as we had put the hard yards in, in term 1. We knew what we wanted and knew how to apply our skills. We had done all our experimenting before hand so it was the real deal. We have work great together and have had made some great desicions that have then benefited us later on.

Tayla~ Participation: Plan- Harrison, Georgia and Brendan Wheels- Tayla, Thaila, Brendan and Dean Arm- Max and Harrison Touch Sensor- Max Head and Light Sensor- Tayla, Georgia, Thaila and Dean Attached Cords- Tayla and Thalia Everyone participated and communicated well. Unfortunately people were away some days but we still did fine and kept up with everyone else.

Thalia~ Dance:
 * We start off with a snake
 * Then we go back and fourth in a line
 * We stop do a shimmy
 * Then spin in a circle with our arm
 * (The dance is around 30 secs)

Tayla~ Achievements:
 * We made everything in timing
 * Our robot stays in the 3 by 3 meter square
 * We learned how to do a quick shimming
 * We learned how to use the arm
 * We learned how to do a really quick turn

Thalia~ We need to work on:
 * Finish our dance

Tayla~ Things We have done:
 * Our costume
 * Our wiki
 * Picked our song
 * Built our robot

Reflection: Tayla: I love everything about our robot, costume, dance and song as they all work perfect together. I have had a great experience this year as last year our robot didn’t work, it didn’t stay in the lines and everything that could go wrong went wrong. I hope we do great but that doesn’t really matter in the end because we have had so much fun climbing up the steps to the finish and are almost finally there!!!

Thalia: WOW! How could this year get any better? Perfect partners, who contribute to building the robot, typing up the wiki and programing the robot. We devoated a few lunch times to robotics. We learnt new things off each other every lesson and will continue to learn. We had to over come some challanges, but everything turned out fabulous: the costume and the dance. I am really happy with our progress and wouldn't change a thing!!!