Why I am Excited About the MooonBots Challenge!

Here we go again!  There is another robotics challenge awaiting us... MoonBots!  You can read about it here http://www.moonbots.org/  and here at the WIRED website.

I think this challenge is really cool for several reasons.

1.  It doesn't cost any money!  There is no team registration fee.  You don't even have to have your own robot or buy one!  I like this idea because a lack of money doesn't eliminate anyone from participating.  In the first phase of this competition teams submit their plans.  Twenty teams will be selected to advance to the next phase and will be awarded the materials needed to do the challenge.  Also, there are no travel costs. 

2.  The prizes are cool and are great incentives.   What techie wouldn't want more robots, an iPod touch, or a trip to see LEGOs being made??

3.  It forces the team to plan and design before they build!  Teams submit their robot design that will be used to solve the challenge.  The teams with the good designs get to advance.   The design is created with software such as LDraw or LEGO Digital Designer. 

4.  It gives kids an reason to learn website design, movie making skills, and other computer skills.  They have to make a movie, display info on a web page, etc.  Creating a good video isn't as easy as it looks!  But this also gives opportunity to upload videos, embed them in a blog.  Learning more about Google applications, such as Google Groups, Picasa, YouTube, Google Sites, and Blogger. 

5. The challenge is written like a Request for Proposal (RFP) and the team presents their proposal in response.  This gives kids exposure/experience with how these things work in the real world.   Also, we'll be designing a robot for an environment that we've only seen in pictures.  We don't have all the details when we make our design.  This is similar to what the NASA Engineers face in designing the Mars Rovers.

6.  This challenge allows them to use more sensors and motors than what they're allowed in FLL.  It's fun to have a reason to use these other parts. 

7.  It is completely autonomous - no touching the robot when it is in action!  We'll have to have to get our design to be highly repeatable!

8. Communication skills are important in this challenge, but in a new way!  Videos, blogs and websites are used to document and communicate what the team is doing and learning.   Teams will document their progress weekly in Phase II of the challenge as well as create a team documentary.  Phase I requires a video essay.

9.  With each team sharing their progress via the web means the teams are more visible to one another than in other types of competitions.  This is exciting as it provides a great opportunity to learn from others.

10.  The length of the season is roomy enough to still be able to fit in a summer vacation and do some of the other things that need doing during the summer months!  Learning can happen at a more relaxed pace as there is not as much going on (typically) during the summer.

11. This challenge is also a springboard to learning about space exploration.  Kids have a reason to learn about the history of it, what has been done before with robots in space, etc. 

12. They also get exposure to the Xprize Foundation along with their purpose and method of encouraging learning and technological advancement. 

We are looking forward to a great MoonBots season!