submitted by Jessica Turner
3rd Grade
Murchison Elementary
Pflugerville, Texas
 
 

Students built a trap for Ralph S. Mouse. Once a sensor senses the mouse inside the container, a door will activate and close Ralph safely inside.
  Description
  After reading Ralph S. Mouse, students in Mrs. Turner's class designed and built devices using LEGO building peices and ROBOLAB software to solve one of two sinerios from the novel.
   
  Procedure
 

1. Read Ralph S. Mouse as a class or in Book Clubs.
  2. Students select one of the following problems to solve:
 

  a. Capture Ralph in a non-lethal way.
  * The mousetrap should be triggered automatically.
 

* It should hold Ralph safely, until you decide to let him out.
  * The release of Ralph can be either automatic or manual.
   
  b. Represent Ralph as he proves his middle initial stands for "smart."
 

* The device should complete the obstacle course provided.
  * The device should be automatic after it is triggered at the start.
  * The device should stop automatically at the end.
   
  Constraints
  1. Once the device has been put into place, no user interaction shall be used for normal operation.
  2. Either device must signal success through a light or sound.
  3. Teams cannot hold their device during use.
   
  Allowances:
  1. Matarials other than LEGO's may be used (i.e.-cardboard, plastic, wood, etc.).
  2. Ralph may be released manually from the mousetrap. Release does not have to be automatic, but can be done if time allows.
  3. The maze device may be programmed to run on either time or sensors.
   
   
 

Students constructed a "safe" trap for Ralph S. Mouse. When the mouse presses the touch sensor on the platform, a pulley will activate and lower the plastic tub over the mouse.
 

Students built "Ralph S. Mouse Rovers" to complete the maze. Students used time and touch sensors to complete the course.
   
Assessment  
1. Each team must complete the required planning and prediction steps.
2. Each team will be given three attempts to operate their device.
3. Individuals will complete a written explanation of the computer program.
4. Each team will be responsible for describing how their device and ROBOLAB program works, how they constructed the device, and how the device is activated to stop and start.
5. Individual members will complete a written journal entry to reflect on their experience.
6. Each team will display and present their device at the school robotics fair.
 
 
About the Program  
Mrs. Turner has worked with ROBOLAB for several years. She incorporates robotics into her third grade Language Arts and Science program.
 
Contact
jessica.turner@pflugervilleisd.net