Rachel Atay and Matt Greenwolfe, Physics, Upper School Science
Description: “For the past 4 years, the physics classes in the Upper School have been using Scribbler 2/3 robots to investigate constant velocity and constant accelerated motions. Students work through a carefully designed series of interactive investigations at a flexible pace and are able to use the robots along the way to compare different motions and test their solutions. Instead of being fully reliant on the teacher to direct each step of their work, they can iterate upon failed attempts and learn from their mistakes relatively independently. In the Rescue Einstein activity, which comes at the end of the constant velocity unit, students must program a robot to navigate a 3-meter long path while avoiding the two guard robots that cross the path at regular intervals. The timing is such that they cannot accomplish this with a single constant velocity, but must instead include properly timed velocity changes to avoid all of the obstacles and arrive safely at the castle. Not many groups succeed on the first try, but there are always lots of smiles and high-fives when they finally rescue Einstein!“
Technology Used: Scribbler Robots, Timing Devices, Measuring Devices, Graphing Software- Desmos, Logger Pro, etc. depending upon the project.
Classroom Photos-Videos:
Video 1: Starting to make measurements for calculations to solve the challenge!
Video 2: Student Perspective on the Challenge!
Video 3: Students explains approach to calculations to solve the challenge.
Video 4: Instructor Rachel Atay works with students to begin the challenge
