Reef Rescue: Coding for Coral Conservation
Students will learn to use VEXcode VR to code a VR Ocean Cleaning Robot to collect trash in a coral reef environment. This activity helps students understand basic programming concepts, the use of sensors, and the impact of automation on environmental conservation.
Overview
Students use blocks in VEXcode VR to program a virtual ocean cleaning robot that collects trash in a coral reef. The lesson opens with videos and a discussion of why reefs matter, how plastic pollution affects them, and how technology can help. After tutorials on moving, driving, and turning, students complete Coral Reef Cleanup Level 1, using a timer and conditional loop to collect trash for 30 seconds, and Level 2, using the front distance sensor and a variable to collect about 15 pieces and print the elapsed time. Students are evaluated on robot performance, code explanation, and participation, submit a screen capture and project file, and write a reflection. The plan is organized as a one-week lesson.
Lesson Objectives
- Learn to use VEXcode VR to code a VR Ocean Cleaning Robot to collect trash in a coral reef environment. This activity helps students understand basic programming concepts, the use of sensors, and the impact of automation on environmental conservation.
Standards
NGSS · 4
- MS-ETS1-1Engineering Design: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
- MS-ETS1-2Engineering Design: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
- MS-ETS1-3Engineering Design: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
- MS-ETS1-4Engineering Design: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
CCSS Math · 3
- 7.RP.A.2Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Recognize and represent proportional relationships between quantities.
- 8.EE.C.7Expressions and Equations: Solve linear equations in one variable.
- 8.SP.A.1Statistics and Probability: Construct and interpret scatter plots for bivariate measurement data to investigate patterns of association between two quantities.
CCSS ELA · 3
- RST.6-8.1Reading for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
- RST.6-8.3Reading for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects: Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
- RST.6-8.7Reading for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects: Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).