Unfortunately, due to adjusting to new curricula,
I will not host after-school Droid Labs!
However, roboteers who own a Viper robot may be invited to practice in the arena for our antweight tournament
at the Orlando Maker Faire November 9 - 10, 2024
I will not host after-school Droid Labs!
However, roboteers who own a Viper robot may be invited to practice in the arena for our antweight tournament
at the Orlando Maker Faire November 9 - 10, 2024
Why combat robots?
Combat robotics emerges as an exceptional platform for imparting a wide array of STEM principles, showcasing its significant educational advantages. It provides learners with an unparalleled avenue to delve into the science behind engineering materials and their design. Unlike traditional computer modeling software, which falls short in simulating the damage and impact levels encountered by combat robots, this discipline pushes students to harness their critical thinking, intuition, and collaborative efforts. As they navigate through the aftermath of each contest, students are propelled to make rapid, informed decisions regarding robot modifications. These decisions are grounded in real-world experiences, aligning with regulations from the National Havoc Robot League (NHRL), Standardized Procedures for the Advancement of Robotic Combat (SPARC), and BattleBots, rather than mere theoretical knowledge.
This hands-on approach not only enriches learning but also sparks curiosity about why combat robotics hasn’t been a staple in K-12 education. It's a field where elementary students can, and do, outperform their older peers, including high school, college students, and even adults. This fact highlights the untapped potential and enthusiasm younger students bring to STEM fields, eager to engage in building and piloting robots. Combat robotics stands out as a deeply fulfilling, comprehensive, and captivating method of teaching STEM, challenging traditional perceptions of learning and contribution across age groups.
This hands-on approach not only enriches learning but also sparks curiosity about why combat robotics hasn’t been a staple in K-12 education. It's a field where elementary students can, and do, outperform their older peers, including high school, college students, and even adults. This fact highlights the untapped potential and enthusiasm younger students bring to STEM fields, eager to engage in building and piloting robots. Combat robotics stands out as a deeply fulfilling, comprehensive, and captivating method of teaching STEM, challenging traditional perceptions of learning and contribution across age groups.
Content from 23-24 Below:
T-Shirt Designs by my daughter Zoe Jane:
Poster Designs by Zoe Jane:
Very important rules to know:
- Robots with active weapons must only be activated inside an arena! (This is rule #1! You will be removed from this elective or club, disqualified immediately during tournaments, and receive NO refund of fees if you ever break this rule at school or off the school campus!)
- Only students and teams showing GREAT maturity and sportsmanship will be allowed to compete and return for future tournaments! -It's okay to be upset if you lose a match but it is NEVER okay to have a fit of pique over losing a match. If you want to remain on a team or participate-- you will try your very best to show class, dignity, and grace whether you win or lose a match! We will show all victors that we are happy for them. *Unless the opponent is a sore winner-- then you may feel free to just smile and walk away.
- Everyone MUST be as gentle as possible on the school floors or fields and with any lab gear!!!!!! Respect and help your hosts and you may be invited back!
- No drilling or grinding inside buildings. We have an area set up outside for this.
- Leave NO trace-anywhere! Clean up your pit area and leave NO trace of litter ANYWHERE ever! Carry your trash with you until you find a bagged trashcan. Put things away PRECISELY where they belong.
- No flame weapons. See SPARC rulesets for all other questions about what is off-limits.
- Only coaches and roboteers are allowed in the pits! There must always be a clear path to an exit door from the arena. Stay out of that path during matches.
- A weapon lock is required for all active weapons.
- All Lipo batteries must be in a LiPo bag while charging. -- Bring your own power strips.
- It is expected that all coaches and builders will follow basic safety practices during work on the robot/s at your pit station. Safety glasses will be worn in the pits. No running, unsupervised children, or roughhousing is allowed indoors or within 50 feet of the the pits if we are outdoors. Please be alert and aware of your pit neighbors and be mindful of people passing by to get to and from the arena with their robots.
Lab Fees:
We are sponsored by Fingertech Robotics and we use their Viper Kits to teach introduction to combat robots.
We buy our spare parts from our sponsor Palm Beach Bots.
To compete students will need a Viper kit, a weapon add-on, a radio and transmitter, and basic tools.
Currently, I have twenty house robots with lifters that students may share if they do not yet wish to purchase their own Viper kit and gear.
The lab fee to use house bots and gear is $80.00 per semester
The lab fee to bring your own robot is $40.00 per semester.
The lab fees cover arena upkeep, damage to house robots, soldering, use of my batteries, tools, and other parts or items I provide in the lab.
The fee does NOT cover using a House bot with an active (spinning) weapon in the lab or in tournaments.
If you want to compete with an active weapon you must own your robot and pay for your spare parts.
All students will use the house bots with lifter kits to play Bot Hockey, Sumo, and practice driving.
If you plan to compete in any tournaments you will need to provide eight AA batteries for a radio and if you need spare parts I may have some parts you can buy from the Droid Lab.
In class I teach students about the tournament rules, limitations of and types of materials competitors may use, and any safety procedures we must follow. During our first lessons together we set our team norms and procedures and we learn the steps in the Engineering Design Process (EDP).
Before students build they must complete a "My Pre-Build Checklist" in their packet.
Please find the packet by scrolling down this page-- it is posted below and it's called, "My Pre-Build Checklist."
**A few tips: do NOT get Locktite on polycarbonate--this will crack it!
Do not leave any types of batteries connected, because they will drain and die!
NEVER try to charge lipo batteries on your own or inside of a robot until I have cleared you to do so!!!
Bring your batteries to me or a "battery captain" to charge them and/or put them in storage mode!
Students will need 8 AA batteries plus spares for their radios.
We buy our spare parts from our sponsor Palm Beach Bots.
To compete students will need a Viper kit, a weapon add-on, a radio and transmitter, and basic tools.
Currently, I have twenty house robots with lifters that students may share if they do not yet wish to purchase their own Viper kit and gear.
The lab fee to use house bots and gear is $80.00 per semester
The lab fee to bring your own robot is $40.00 per semester.
The lab fees cover arena upkeep, damage to house robots, soldering, use of my batteries, tools, and other parts or items I provide in the lab.
The fee does NOT cover using a House bot with an active (spinning) weapon in the lab or in tournaments.
If you want to compete with an active weapon you must own your robot and pay for your spare parts.
All students will use the house bots with lifter kits to play Bot Hockey, Sumo, and practice driving.
If you plan to compete in any tournaments you will need to provide eight AA batteries for a radio and if you need spare parts I may have some parts you can buy from the Droid Lab.
In class I teach students about the tournament rules, limitations of and types of materials competitors may use, and any safety procedures we must follow. During our first lessons together we set our team norms and procedures and we learn the steps in the Engineering Design Process (EDP).
Before students build they must complete a "My Pre-Build Checklist" in their packet.
Please find the packet by scrolling down this page-- it is posted below and it's called, "My Pre-Build Checklist."
**A few tips: do NOT get Locktite on polycarbonate--this will crack it!
Do not leave any types of batteries connected, because they will drain and die!
NEVER try to charge lipo batteries on your own or inside of a robot until I have cleared you to do so!!!
Bring your batteries to me or a "battery captain" to charge them and/or put them in storage mode!
Students will need 8 AA batteries plus spares for their radios.
Click on the PINK Plus Signs below --consecutively-- for the Witch Dr. Jr. Video series, which outlines our first 9 weeks:
Roboteers, please complete the following survey and quizzes during week 1:
Manufacturing Quiz:
Click HERE to take the Quiz
Careers Quiz for kids:
This outlines more of what to know about our builds:
Every roboteer must complete this packet carefully before they begin their build:
| pre_build_checklist_-final_22.pdf |
Team ContracTs and Rubrics by PBLWorks:
Typically, I design all my own rubrics but I find the PBL Works rubrics are a fantastic resource for instructors, students, and teams.
Please find some PBL Works examples below:
Please find some PBL Works examples below:
SPARC Robot Construction Specs:
Click here to see the construction specs and more that may be found at Standardized Procedures for the Advancement of Robotic Combat (SPARC)
Sparkfun Plastic Ant Builds:
Sparkfun provides a wealth of brilliant information on helping students and teachers get started making these terrific entry level and inexpensive robots.
For the plastic ants we build at school, we will use Arduino-based RC channel mixers and use Makers Empire to design a robot chassis that we can 3D print.
We use the Engineering Design Process (EDP) to help us test our designs and make improvements.
For the plastic ants we build at school, we will use Arduino-based RC channel mixers and use Makers Empire to design a robot chassis that we can 3D print.
We use the Engineering Design Process (EDP) to help us test our designs and make improvements.
Our Team Jobs:
For the 2023-2024 season our first semester Team Captains are:
Cayden, Ethan, LJ, Caleb, Daniel, Hunter, Cody, Thorin, and Leo.
I will appoint battery, arena, and soldering cadets, a Lead Strategist, two Quality Assurance Technicians, and several scouts after the semester stars and I determine each student's skill set. We are all drivers and builders.
And we ALWAYS need adult helpers to help maintain robots and help with the arena!!!!!!
Cayden, Ethan, LJ, Caleb, Daniel, Hunter, Cody, Thorin, and Leo.
I will appoint battery, arena, and soldering cadets, a Lead Strategist, two Quality Assurance Technicians, and several scouts after the semester stars and I determine each student's skill set. We are all drivers and builders.
And we ALWAYS need adult helpers to help maintain robots and help with the arena!!!!!!
My Google Classroom:
