Linda Scott September 15, 2012

1. Project Engineering Notebooks Linda Scott September 15, 2012

2. Our 2012 Schedule • Kickoff: • Today, Denver SOUTH High School • Practice Day • Saturday, October 20, Denver WEST High School • Project Notebooks Due – NO EXCEPTIONS • Team Demographics Form MUST be submitted with Project Notebook as Page Number “1” • Game Day • Saturday, October 27, Auraria Campus Events Center • Notebooks ARE returned at Registration RM BEST Kickoff

3. Objectives of this Session Understand what an engineering notebook is Understand the notebook’s requirements Understand how to design, lay out, and write a quality notebook RM BEST Kickoff

4. Purpose of the Notebook • To document the process the team uses to design, build and test the team’s robot. • The Notebook is your team’s opportunity to tell the story of your robot; it’s basically a “diary” that the team keeps as they progress through the process. • Documentation is a critical aspect of the Engineering Process • Provides a crucial record of the process • Provides critical information between different groups • Provides a checklist against requirements • Provides essential information for new people RM BEST Kickoff

5. Judging Procedure • Done by a distinguished team of judges • Notebooks scores are used for scoring the BEST Award, Founders Award, Best Engineering Notebook Award • 4 teams, based on Notebook Score, have a chance to fill a “Wildcard “ slot in the playoff round • Teams advancing to Frontier Trails BEST Regional's will be briefed on their scores and judges’ comments on Game Day • Non-advancing teams will have their score sheets mailed to them RM BEST Kickoff

6. Notebook Specifications (1 of 3) • Standard 3-ring binder – 2” max • Business font not smaller than 12 point • One-sided 8 ½ “ x 11” paper pages, double spaced (single spaced ok in tables & outlines), 1” margins • On the binder cover • School name • Team name • Teacher contact • Team # RM BEST Kickoff

7. Notebook Specifications (2 of 3) • 30 page limit • Provide description of process to design and complete its robot • Research Paper – min 2, max 5 pages • A description of how the 2012 game theme is related to current technological practices or scientific research • This is a section of your Engineering Notebook RM BEST Kickoff

8. Appendix (Optional) Specifications (3 of 3) 20 pages max Appendix may include support documentation such as drawings, photos, organization charts, minutes of team meetings, test results, etc. Should directly support the process described in the primary document and NOT reflect activities related to community or promotional efforts, spirit development, or team-building. 2012 Rule Change – ONLY 1-sided pages ACCEPTABLE. RM BEST Kickoff

9. Where to Start?

10. Create a Team • ID the notebook development team—shouldn't be just a one-person effort • All robotics team members should play some role • Make sure entire team reads the Engineering Notebook Guidelines at: www.bestinc.org => The Competition => Current Game Rules => The BEST Award =>Project Engineering Notebook Requirements RM BEST Kickoff

11. Plan and Schedule Have an initial plan and schedule Think about your audience Write a good outline! Organize your information Include where and what graphics you need for each section Finalize assignments and schedule RM BEST Kickoff

12. Topics You Must Cover Implementation of Engineering Design Process Brainstorming approaches Analytical evaluation of design alternatives Offensive and defensive strategies Safety Research paper Support documentation RM BEST Kickoff

13. Tell Your Story • Begin writing at the beginning of your team’s effort, not after the robot is built • Start with an Outline • Write and Rewrite as Your Team Progresses • Include the Design Decisions and Reasoning • Use Graphics(drawings, sketches) and/or Photos to Illustrate the Story • If it doesn’t Support the Story - LEAVE IT OUT RM BEST Kickoff

14. Design the Graphics Keep 'em clean, don't let them get too busy Focus on what is important—get photos of team members using tools, brainstorming, CADs to support your design Don't overdo the fonts Don't use too many colors, heavy lines RM BEST Kickoff

15. Review for Quality Control A good editor saves a lot of embarrassment Get outside reviewers—have students who are good at grammar and writing look over your book Don't forget to review the graphics Coordinate revisions: free-for-all makes chaos RM BEST Kickoff

16. The Notebook Evaluation(what the judges are looking for)

17. 2012 Score Sheet • 3 Sections in the Score Sheet • Design Process (15 Points) • Research Paper (4 Points) • Overall Quality & Completeness of Notebook (6 Points) • 25 Points Total RM BEST Kickoff

18. 2012 Score Sheet Make it easy for the judges to find evidence of each of these criteria!

19. 2012 Score Sheet Make it easy for the judges to find evidence of each of these criteria! RM BEST Kickoff

20. Implementation of the Engineering Design Process (EDP) Evidence that the engineering process was effectively used • In this section of the Engineering Notebook, the team must document that an EDP was effectively used to design and build the robot • There are many EDPs but in general, the elements are as follows: RM BEST Kickoff

21. Elements of the Engineering Process • Define the Problem • Read the Rules • Determine Requirements • Research Similar Designs • Inventory Resources Available • Brainstorm Strategy and Design Possibilities • Evaluate the Strategies & Design Approaches • Analyze Several Alternative Solutions • Select Strategy & Preliminary Design Configuration • Accomplish Detail Design • Build Prototypes if Necessary • Build & Test • Modify & Retest • Document Process & Decisions (CRUCIAL!) • Deliver Product

22. Implementation of the EDP • First step – Define the Problem • Read the Rules : www.bestinc.org =>The Competition => Current Game Rules • Research Similar Designs • Inventory Resources Available • Next – Clearly identify the goals (G), requirements (R), and constraints (C) associated with the design • Examples: • Robot must fit in 24” cube and weigh no more than 24 lbs (C/R) • Robot should be able to travel the width of the field in < 45 seconds. (G) • Robot must have a minimum reach of 38” in order to score points. (R) • Scoring strategy – get a lot of the low point items, then go after high point items. (G) RM BEST Kickoff

23. Implementation of the EDP • Notebook Recommendations: • Include a matrix of requirements dividing them into various categories (i.e. operational rules of engagement, robot requirements, etc.) • Include a detailed schedule with estimated timeframes to accomplish these tasks. • Include a summary chart showing the actual schedule versus the planned schedule after the design and development of the robot is completed. • Document your testing process • Document both failures and successes RM BEST Kickoff

24. Brainstorming Strategies and Design Possibilities (1 of 2) How well organized and productive was the brainstorming approach used and documented • Ask the question…How many different ways can you think of to meet the design specifications? • Even if some ideas seem outlandish, put them on paper. • Find effective ways to communicate the ideas – rough sketches, written descriptions, simple models (Legos, toothpicks, etc.). RM BEST Kickoff

25. Brainstorming…(2 of 2) • Another brainstorming tip • In each BEST game, there are always multiple means of scoring points. • Don’t limit yourself to a particular scoring strategy at the outset. • For your notebook…document your brainstorming process: • How did your team gather alternatives? • How did you filter down to the best alternatives? • Write about your alternative ideas • What were the results? RM BEST Kickoff

26. Analytical Evaluation of Design Alternatives Use of analytical and mathematical skills in deciding upon and implementing design alternatives • Demonstrate that each idea was evaluated • Show the final design was based upon sound engineering decisions. • What strategy did your team select and why? • How did your team select the best design? • Did your team use analytics (aka math) in the analysis? • Examples • Calculation of wheel/pulley diameter for desired speed & power • Calculation of power needed for lifting required weight • Team’s use of software programs RM BEST Kickoff

27. Offensive and Defensive Evaluation (1 or 2) Analyses of gaming strategies and design elements to achieve goals • How did the EDP help to determine a scoring strategy • How can you score the highest # of points • What will you do in case of a tiebreaker? • How was the EDP used by your team to design your robot body • How was the EDP used by your team to create your robot arm / claw RM BEST Kickoff

28. Offensive and Defensive Evaluation (1 of 2) • Design elements can be considered defensive if they make your robot more reliable, prevent it from damaging itself, or prevent it f rom damaging the field, etc • If there are no defensive strategies, make sure you document that in your engineering notebook NOTE: The score for this section is the basis for “The Founders Award” RM BEST Kickoff

29. Safety Evidence that safety training occurred and safe practices were followed to prevent students’ misuse of tools and other devices/equipment that may result in personal injury or damage to property RM BEST Kickoff

30. Support Documentation (Appendix) • Include support material that DIRECTLY supports what you wrote about in the first section • Include CAD/other drawings, photos meeting minutes, etc • Use “see page X in Appendix B” in your first 30 pages to provide reference for the judges • What not to put in Support Documentation • Community or promotional efforts • Spirit development • Team building • Scrap book material • Any material that does not support the process described in the primary document • Remember – only 20 pages max and one-sided only. RM BEST Kickoff

31. Research Paper • A description of how the current year’s game theme is related to current technological practices or scientific research • Correlation between game & how technology is being used in team’s region • Related information – history, famous inventors or major milestones • Creativity in linking game to appropriately related science content • Proper use of grammar and composition; source citations, stayed within 2-5 page limit RM BEST Kickoff

32. Overall Quality and Completeness Notebook • Submission of required Demographics Form • First item in the Notebook • Organization & Appearance • Table of contents, summary, page numbers, discussion of evaluation points, linkage to appendices • Please, no plastic covered pages • Adherence to specifications (as discussed earlier) • Quality of content • Well written descriptions, clear photo labels, lack of extraneous material, etc. RM BEST Kickoff

33. Example Table of Contents • Team Demographics Form • Implementation of the Engineering Design Process (EDP) • Analyzing Task and Brainstorming Game Strategy • Requirements Definition • Brainstorming & Analyzing Design Ideas • Math Used To Determine Requirements & Analyze Design Alternatives • Building , esting and Revising the Robot • Offensive and Defensive Evaluation • Safety • Research Paper • Summary • Appendix (Optional) To view a sample notebook, go to: www.bestinc.org =>participants => contest information => team resources => examples RM BEST Kickoff

34. Team Demographics Form • BRI announced recently that teams do not have to enter 2012 Team Demographics information into Robot Events website, however… • You must submit a team demographics form as page #1 of the Project Engineering Notebook • For a copy of the Team Demographics Form go to: www.bestinc.org => Participants => File Manager => Game Files 2012 => Awards and Judging =>Team Demographics form 2012_doc Note: Password required RM BEST Kickoff

35. Contact Information • Head Notebook Judge • Linda Scott • lscott720@comcast.net • BEST Award Head Judge • Dick Tumlinson • DickTum51@aol.com RM BEST Kickoff

36. BEST Websites • http://rockymountainbest.org • http://bestinc.org • The Competition > Current Game Rules =>The BEST Award => Project Engineering Notebook Requirements • Participants => File Manager => Public Files => all sections • Participants =>Contest Information …all sections RM BEST Kickoff

37. Any Questions? RM BEST Kickoff

38. Rocky Mountain BEST RM BEST Kickoff