Technology for Seniors
Using Technology to Improve the Quality of Life of Senior Citizens
Maryland State 4-H Robotic Challenge 2014
LEGO Robotics 4-H Challenge
Through the Technology for Seniors, 4-H members involved in robotics
will create LEGO robots that complete tasks related to improving the
quality of life of senior citizens on a 4 ‘ X 4’ board. NXT based LEGO robots
will automate wheelchairs, bring 4-H members and technology to senior
centers and sort medicine. Teams will also complete a service project that
will assist seniors in their community with technology.
1.0 Teams
1.1 Teams will consist of three to eight 4-H members.
1.2 Teams will register through the county extension offices with
the State 4-H Robotics Committee from February 1st to July
31st. Once a team is registered through the county, the county
can order game pieces ($30 per set). Team coaches will also
be added to a list serv to receive information and updates
about the game and state contest. The registration form is
found on the Maryland State 4-H Robotics Challenge web
page http://extension.umd.edu/4-h/4-h-program-
areas/robotics-0
1.5 State Fair Competition
1.5.1 Up to two teams from each county and Baltimore City can
be selected by each county/city to participate in the state
competition in each age division of Junior, Intermediate and
Senior.
1.5.2 County Extension educators will enter the team(s) into the State
Fair Competition by July 31st.
1.5.3 There will be a $20 registration fee for the state fair competition per team.
Checks should be made payable to the “Maryland 4-H Foundation”.
1.5.4 The State 4-H Competition will be held on the first Sunday of
the Maryland State Fair. Teams will be provided with a
scheduled time for their project and technical presentations.
1.5.5 Each team will be provided with a 6’ or 8’ pit table space. The team should use the table to present their service project.
1.5.6 Teams will be divided into one of three divisions according to
the three 4-H age divisions as of 1/1/14 (Jr 8-10 years old ,
Intermediate 11-13 years old, Sr. 14-18 years old). Mixed age
division members will be allowed to compete in the age
division of the oldest member. All age divisions will compete
in the same contest with awards given in each age division.
2.0 The Game
Team members will construct a robot out of LEGOS that is controlled
by an RCX, NXT or EV3 controller. The robot will autonomously
perform specific tasks. The team will have 2 minutes and 30 seconds
to perform as many tasks as possible.
2.1 Competition Kit
The competition mat will be the Race Against Time Mat
(NX990974) available from LEGO Education. LEGO parts and
instructions to construct field mission models will be available
once the team is registered through the county. Competition
kits can be shared among multiple teams and remain the
property of the local UME 4-H Youth Development Program.
2.2 Playing Field
The field will be constructed of a ½” thick sheet of plywood with 2”X4” on edge to create a playing area of 45” X 45” (inside the 2 X4 frame). The mat (48” X 48”) will be installed between the 2X4 edge and the plywood. The field includes the 14.5” X 14.5” base area. The playing field will be on a table 28” to 32” tall.
3.0 Robots
3.1 Allowed Materials
Robots must be constructed using the LEGO RCX, NXT or EV3
controllers and any additional official LEGO parts. Non-LEGO
parts will not be allowed. The robot must be programmed with
LEGO Mindstorms, RoboLab, NXT, or EV3 software (any version)
to perform the task autonomously. A maximum of the
following motors and sensors may be used:
a. 2 – touch sensors
b. 2 – light sensors
c. 1 – Ultrasonic sensor
d. 1 - Lamp
e. 3 - rotation sensors (RCX only)
f. 3 – motors
The following may not be used:
a. Paint, tape, glue, and oil
b. Stickers are not allowed
c. Remote controls of any type
3.2 Robot Size
The robot must fit completely inside of the base area of the
board which measures 14.5” X 14.5” and must not be taller
than 14.5”. After the robot leaves the base area, it may
expand to any dimension.
3.2.1 Robot in the base area (green outlined area – in the southeast corner of the mat.)
3.3 Robot Operation
3.3.1 Handling the Robot
The team members may only handle the robot while the
robot is in the base area. Once the robot leaves the base
area the members cannot touch or in any way influence
the movement of the robot until it comes back to base
without penalty.
3.3.2 Robot in Base
While in base, members may change programs or
change parts of the robot. The robot will be considered
in base as soon as any part of the robot crosses into the
base.
3.3.3 Mission Objects in Base
Any objects that are to be brought back to base must
cross into the base before a member touches the robot.
Any mission that was in progress will be terminated if a
member touches or in any way interferes with the robot
or LEGO model. Teams may re-run the mission, but game
pieces will remain where they are when the robot was
touched. The robot may leave base and return as many
times as time allows.
3.3.4 Touch Penalties
If the robot is touched outside of the base area it must be
brought back to base immediately and will be assessed a
touch penalty (see 5.8 for details on touch penalties).
4.0 Game Rules
4.1 Mission Models
Mission models will be provided as part of the competition kit.
Instructions for construction of mission models will be
provided. It is the team’s responsibility to construct mission
models correctly. The field(s) at the state competition may not
be altered (consideration will be given if discussed with the
referee). Mission models will be provided at the competition,
therefore teams should not bring mission models to the
competition table.
4.1.1 Starting Field Set Up
4.2 Robot Rounds
Each robot will play three rounds with the highest score of the
three rounds counting toward the final awards. Each robot
round will last for 2 minutes 30 seconds. The round will be
started at the referees call and the referee at the end of the
round will turn off the robot. Teams will be given a minimum
of 10 minutes between rounds.
4.3 Robot Operators
Two members will be allowed at the table during the robot
rounds. Additional team members must stand in the
designated area and may tag in and out during the round.
5.0 Missions
Missions are described as the following:
5.1 Retrieve Wheel Chair
Robot must bring the wheel chair back to the base area. The wheel
chair in base will be worth 15 points.
5.1.1 Wheel Chair starting location
5.2 Picking Up Black Medication
Robot must collect 7 square LEGO pieces that represent
medication. Each piece in base is worth 3 points.
5.2.1 Black Medication in Starting Position (can be
anywhere inside of the oval outlined shape)
5.3 Picking Up Blue Round Medication from Auto Dispenser
Collect the round blue LEGO pieces from the platform connected
to the far wall of the table. Each med is worth 5 points in base.
Blue medication left in the auto dispenser at the end of the
match will be worth 3 points each. PENALTY: Any blue
medication that not in the auto dispenser, in base or in the daily
medication container will be assessed a 5-point penalty.
5.3.1 Auto Dispenser (18” from the inside of the west wall)
5.4 Round Up 4-H Members
Robot must bring the four LEGO mini figures back to base.
Each mini figure in base at the end of the match is worth 10
points each.
5.4.1 4-H Members in starting position – mini figures will start in the upright position and can be located anywhere on the thick round circle.
5.5 Robot Moves Wheelchair into Van
The wheelchair must be delivered to and placed through the
door of the van. In order to receive the points, the entire
wheelchair must be inside the van. The wheelchair inside the
van will be worth 30 points.
5.5.1 Wheelchair in scoring position (van will be 5 inches from the inside of the west wall).
5.5.2 Wheelchair not in scoring position
5.6 Robotic Medication Sorting
The robot is to put one black and one blue medication in the
each of the slots in the daily medication container. Each slot in
the container that has one blue and/or black med will be scored
10 points per medication. If two or more of one color is in a
slot no points will be awarded for medications in that slot. If all
seven slots have one black and one blue medication a bonus of
20 points will be awarded. If at least one medication is in the container, the team will receive an additional 20 points for closing the container lid.
5.5.1 Black and blue medications in the container – This picture
would be worth 120 points.
5.5.2 Blue and Black meds in container – This picture is worth 60 points – 10 points for each medication circled.
5.5.3 Lid closed on the med container
5.7 Transport 4-H Members to Senior Center with iPads.
4-H members must be delivered to the platform in the center of the
board. The mini figs must be supported by the platform or LEGOS that are
touching only the platform. No part of the mini figs can be touching the
mat or connected to LEGOS that are supported by the mat. Each member
on the platform will be worth 20 points
5.7.1 Platform Starting Position (18inches from the inside of the
south wall and 20 inches from the west wall)
5.7.2 Mini-figs in scoring position
5.6.1 Three mini-figs in scoring position
Not in scoring position
5.7 Robot at the Senior Center
At the end of the match the robot must be completely supported by
the ramp for 20 points. If the ramp is leveled out and the robot is
completely supported by only the ramp the team will receive 40
points.
5.7.1 Robot Completely on the Ramp (20 POINTS)
5.7.2 Robot Completely on Ramp and Ramp level (40 POINTS)
5.8 Robot Touch Penalties
Each time a touch penalty is incurred, a blue round medication will be
removed from the table by the referee. Medication in the Auto
Dispenser will be removed first followed by blue medication in base
and finally blue medication in the daily medication container. Any
medication in a penalty position will not be removed.
5.9 Technical Presentation
Each team will be assigned a 15 minute time period prior to the robot
rounds to explain their robot’s design. The presentation should
include information on the teams design features, game strategies
and programming. The team may utilize the game table to
demonstrate the robot completing missions. A panel of 2-4 judges will
rate the team’s technical presentation based on the Technical Rubric
(Appendix A). The team will be assigned a numerical score between 0
and 100.
6.0 Service Project
6.1 Project Overview - Through the service project the team should
learn more about assisting senior citizens using technology. It is
suggested that the team meet with professionals involved with the
assistance of senior citizens. The team should then identify a service
project that will assist senior citizens that involves technology in some
way.
6.2 Project Display – The teams should create a tabletop display
that will explain the service project. The board will be displayed
during the competition on the team’s pit table.
6.3 Project Presentation - The team will present a 3-5 minute
presentation about their project to a panel of judges. The judges will
be given 5 minutes to ask the team questions.
7.0 Team Notebook
Each team should document the building of their robot in a journal.
Each day that the team meets: record plans for the day, pictures and
diagrams of robot building process, and ending reflections. The
notebook will be shared with the judges during the technical
presentation.
Mission Description Point Value
Wheelchair
Robot must bring the wheelchair back to base. The robot may place the wheelchair in back of the van for additional points.
15 points for wheelchair in base at the end of the match.
or 30 points for the wheelchair completely in the van at the end of the match.
Black
Medication
Robot must bring the black medication to base. The robot may place one black medication in each cell of the daily medication container. If more than one black (or blue) medication is in a cell no points are awarded for the medication in that cell.
3 points each for a total of 21 points if in base at the end of the match or 10 points each for a possible of 70 points if in the daily medication container at the end of the match
Blue
Medication
Robot must bring the blue medication to base. The robot may place one blue medication in each cell of the daily medication container. If more than one blue (or black) medication is in a cell no points are awarded for the medication in that cell.
3 points each for a possible total of 21 points if left in auto dispenser or
5 points each for a total of 35 points if in base at the end of the match
or 10 points each for a possible of 70 points if in the daily medication container at the end of the match
Daily Medication Container
A bonus will be awarded if all 7 of the daily cells contain exactly one blue and one black medication. Points will also be awarded if the robot closes the container lid if at least one mediation is in the container
20 points if all 7 of the cells in the daily container have one blue and one black medication 20 points for closing the lid on the container
4-H Member
Round Up
Robot must bring the 4 mini figures back to base.
The robot may place the mini figures on the platform for
additional points
10 points for each for a possible of 40 points for each mini figure in base at the end of the match
or 20 points for each for a possible of 80 points for each mini fig on the platform at the end of the match
Robot on Platform
The robot must be supported by the platform at the
end of the match.
20 points if the robot is completely supported by the platform or 40 points if the robot is completely supported by the platform and the platform is leveled out
Penalties
A penalty will be assessed if any of the blue medications are left on the field in any location except the auto dispenser, the daily medication container and the base area.
-5 points for each blue medication not is a
designated location
Total Possible 330 points