Grades K-12

The �Body� Robotics Park Parade 

As floats queue up in front of reviewing stand, the Robotics Park spectators gather along the parade route. At the signal, the music begins, motors shift into gear and from the podium the storytellers begin to spin their tales. The parade winds it way down the parade route delighting the crowd with over the top animations and captivating characters with flamboyant costumes.

Guidelines

1. The theme of Robotics Park for 2011 is �Body�. Floats should pick a theme that uses the word �Green� in its theme and title. Examples are "Body Double", "Body of Water", "Bath and Body", "Body Language", etc.
2. Float designers should also create a 30-40 second narrative that tells the audience the story behind their float's creation. The story can be based in fact or fiction. The story will be read at the podium by at least one member of the robot design team as their robot begins the parade route.
3. The parade route will start near the podium in the cafeteria and travel around the cafeteria. The parade route is approximately 80 feet long.
4. The parade route will be created using 2 foot wide white panel board, with a strip of 1 ½ inch black electrical tape down the middle. Light sensor following is recommended. We encourage younger groups of students to ask older groups of students how to create a line-following robot. One student from each float design team may follow their robot along the parade route (if necessary). Students float followers should wear clean white socks and being in costume is encouraged.
5. The Robotic Park parade will be run the first time at 10:30 am and then run again at 12:30 pm.
6. Floats should be built to travel in a range of between 20 and 30 feet per minute so that floats travel at approximately the same speed along the parade route.
7. Floats may be built on top of the base vehicle or trailered behind the vehicle.
8. Floats should start out with fully charged batteries.
9. Parade float entries should be displayed on tables in the Gymnasium with other Robotics Park inventions including Animal and Interactive robots. Judges will review parade floats at the same time and in the same way they review other robotic creations at the classroom booths. It is suggested that the floats be accompanied by additional display items and student work such as posters, PowerPoint research presentations, pamphlets etc. in their booths.
10. Students may find that using and modifying the PIE modules or the Build-It-Yourself building blocks offer a number of interesting ways to create animations for their floats. PIE modules can be found at: https://www.pienetwork.org/a2z/m/modules/ or Build It Yourself building blocks at: https://18.85.45.97/
11. To see examples of floats designs email go to: https://homepage.mac.com/keithmjohnson/EOT/page16/page16.html
12. For questions about this robotics design challenge for 2010 email: RISF-L@ride.ri.net so that answers can be returned to all list participants.