submitted by Helene M. Bearup
ages 9-11
Patterson Lakes Primary School
Victoria, Australia
Description | Procedure | About the Program | More Information |Contact | Robotics Home
 

The Purple People Eater team became the ROBOCUP Junior State Champions and National Finalists. Students worked during class and at lunch.
  Description
  Students used Pilot Level 4 with a linear string of commands to choreograph a dance routine that stayed within a 3 X 4 m area and was timed to match the rhythm and sequences of the music.
   
  Procedure
  1. Students designed and built a robot to fit the theme of the song The Purple People Eater.
   
 

2. Students used ROBOLAB Pilot Level 4 to write each command step by step.
   
  3. Once a set of steps was correct, they planned and added more.
 

  4. Students had to consider the direction for the robot to go at each step, as well as the length of time for each movement. During the entire routine the robot must remain inside a 3 X 4 m area.
   
 

5. The choreographed dance lasts 2 minutes.
 

The ROBOCUP Junior National Competition was held in Melbourne on September 13, 2002.

 
About the Program  
The project on dance lasts about 6-8 weeks of 1-2 hours per week. The kids build and program to any music. The Purple People Eater used the song of the same name. Helene M. Bearup is involved with ROBOCUP junior in Australia. Australia is at present World Soccer Champs 2 years running: Seattle 2001 and Fukyoka 2002.
 
For More Information
http://www.patterson-lakes-ps.vic.edu.au/robotics.htm - The student created web site contains more information about the Purple People Eater and the process the students went through to complete their project.

http://www.robocupjunior.org.au/ - Find out more about ROBOCUP Australia.
http://www.robocup2003.org/Default.jsp- Find out more about ROBOCUP Junior 2003.
 
Contact
bearup.helene.m@edumail.vic.gov.au