LESSON PLANS
Robot Basketball
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This lesson demonstrates the difference between precision and accuracy. Students design a device that can shoot a basketball free-throw shot accurately every time.
Age Levels: 10-18
Required Materials (Trading/Table of Possibilities)
Testing Materials
Materials
Process
Set up the Testing Zone with a “net” – small trash can or a plastic cup (depending on how challenging you would like it to be)
Optional Testing Zone Set-up
Calculating Accuracy
Each team calculates their percentage of accuracy by taking how many of their shots went into the net divided by 3 shots multiplied by 100.
2 in basket / 3 shots x 100 = 67% (rounded)
Design Challenge
You are part of a team of engineers challenged to design and build a “robot” basketball player. The “robot” must be able to accurately shoot three free-throw shots into a net that is 2 feet above the floor and 6 feet from the “robot.”
Criteria
Constraints
Student Reflection (engineering notebook)
The lesson can be done in as little as 1 class period for older students. However, to help students from feeling rushed and to ensure student success (especially for younger students), split the lesson into two periods giving students more time to brainstorm, test ideas and finalize their design. Conduct the testing and debrief in the next class period.
Accuracy and Precision
Accuracy is how close a measured value is to the actual (true) value. Precision is how close the measured values are to each other.
Examples of Precision and Accuracy:
So, if you are playing soccer and you always hit the left goal post instead of scoring, then you are not accurate, but you are precise! SOURCE: (www.mathsisfun.com/accuracy-precision.html)
Internet Connections
Recommended Reading
Robot (DK Eyewitness Books) (ISBN: 978-0756602543)
Levers (Simple Machines) (ISBN: 978-1403485632)
Real World Math: Basketball (9781602792456)
Writing Activity
Students could write short stories about their team’s free-throw player and/or the World Robotic Basketball League (WRBL), personifying the “robot(s).” Students could create an ad that will promote the WRBL to draw more people to the games. Students could write an explanatory essay detailing the steps their robot takes to make an accurate free-throw shot.
Note: Lesson plans in this series are aligned to one or more of the following sets of standards:
CONTENT STANDARD B: Physical Science
As a result of their activities, all students should develop an understanding of
CONTENT STANDARD E: Science and Technology
As a result of activities, all students should develop
CONTENT STANDARD B: Physical Science
As a result of their activities, all students should develop understanding of
CONTENT STANDARD E: Science and Technology
As a result of activities, all students should develop
Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Engineering Design
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
Engineering Design
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Measurement Standard
-Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements.
Measurement Standard
– Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements.
Measurement and data
Ratios & Proportional Relationships
Design
Scenario
The World Robotic Basketball League’s top ranked team, the BOTS are looking for the best free-throw player they can find. Tryouts are today!
Design Challenge
Design and build a “robot” basketball player that can shoot three free-throw shots accurately each time. The player that is the most accurate will get the job!
Criteria
Constraints
Planning Stage
Meet as a team and discuss the problem you need to solve. Then develop and agree on a design for your robot. You’ll need to determine what materials you want to use.
Draw your design in the box below, and be sure to indicate the description and number of parts you plan to use.
Team members:___________________________________________________
Team Name: _____________________________________________________
Brainstorm designs for your Robot Basketball Player:
Choose your best design and sketch it here:
Construction Phase
Build your robot. During construction you may decide you need additional materials or that your design needs to change. This is ok – just make a new sketch and revise your materials list.
Testing Phase
Each team will test their robot. If your design was unsuccessful, redesign and test again. Be sure to watch the tests of the other teams and observe how their different designs worked.
Sketch your Final Design
Evaluation Phase
Evaluate your teams’ results, complete the evaluation worksheet, and present your findings to the class.
Use this worksheet to evaluate your team’s results in the Robot Basketball Lesson:
Accuracy: ______________ %
Precision: _________________