Girls of Steel 2021 FLL Challenge: Cargo Connect

For the second year in a row we ran the Girls of Steel FLL Challenge program on Zoom, but this year our mentors were able to meet in person at the Girls of Steel Robotics Practice Field starting on October 23rd where they had access to LEGO Spike Prime robot kits and the 2021 FLL Challenge, Cargo Connect, field table. The mentors built four basic robots and then their students instructed them on building attachments for and coding the robots to complete missions. The program ran for 12 weeks from September 25th through December 18, 2021, with a break for Thanksgiving weekend.

The FLL Challenge program was managed by Justina and Kameron, the FLL leads, along with Megan and Mahika, members of the FLL subteam. Other FLL volunteers were: Aditri, Amanda, Aria, Ariella, Ashley, Ciara, Diya, Elise, Ella, Grace, Gray, Harshi, Janise, Kelly, Lauren, Lucia, Rishika, Samhita, Sophia, Sreyashi, Sunny, Teodora.

We were excited to hear Dr. Jelena Frtunikj from Argo AI as our guest speaker. She shared a presentation on Zoom about self-driving vehicles. This was an amazing hybrid season for our teams.

Below are summaries from each team, links to their websites, and some photos.

Blue

During the 2021 season, the CM Blues found a solution to unkempt roads, learned how to pseudocode using SPIKE, and coded a LEGO robot. They designed a robot that mechanically filled potholes to reduce accidents, which increased transportation efficiency. It works by traveling down roads, scanning them to find blemishes. If blemishes are found, then they will be repaired by the robot. In addition, the blue team coded a robot to lift down a bar to release cargo. The pseudocode was verbally communicated, and it involved an abundance of trial and error. Overall, the 2021 season had a striking effect for us, and the projects they worked on taught us problem solving and communication skills.

CM Blues: https://sites.google.com/andrew.cmu.edu/cmblues/home

Red

Throughout the season, Dot Dot Dot created a project that solved the problem of mail distribution, programmed a LEGO robot, learned core values, and created pseudocode. Their solution to the Cargo Connect problem was a durable robot that was able to distribute mail. It works by traveling in a truck to neighborhoods, and it is adaptable to any terrain, while it scans barcodes that are assigned to each house as it delivers them. Additionally, the red team created code that allowed the robots to carry an airplane wing as well as open an airplane hanger. To complete the code, they verbally communicated the pseudo code. Then, one student at a time picked the correct coding block and developed effective code based on trial and error. Dot Dot Dot had fun, while practicing problem solving along the way. The season proved to be a memorable and impactful learning experience.

Dot Dot Dot: https://sites.google.com/andrew.cmu.edu/dot-dot-dot/home

Green

Within the season, the Green Gears solved the problem of overcrowding buses and how taking multiple trips would be a huge benefit. The team also coded a LEGO robot to complete a mission by flipping the engine switch from gray to blue using Events, Motion, and Motors blocks. They did so effectively and with a creative attachment. Throughout the time together, the kids fostered bonds, learned various types of coding, core values, and problem solving, which proved to be a beneficial season for the kids.

Green Gears: https://sites.google.com/andrew.cmu.edu/green-gears/home

Purple

This year’s season was difficult, but the kids got through it by Zoom calls, mentors, and their love for STEM. The Pittsburgh Purploids used their skills to come up with a solution to slow airport transportation, which was jets. If one uses jets, it would allow for more efficient and effective transportation as explained. Before they designed a website, they brainstormed ideas, coded robots, and built attachments that ensured their success. They completed the missions of avoiding the LEGO chicken, placing the airplane wing at the drop-off station, and knocking down the bridge. By learning new skills the kids experienced designing, developing solutions, and programming that will help them today and in the future.

Pittsburgh Purploids: https://sites.google.com/andrew.cmu.edu/pittsburghpurploids/home