Robotics & Systems · Lesson 4 of 8

Motor replaces the elastic

Build it · Test it · Judge it

FORGE Generate · Test · Evaluate

Today's goal

Mount a motor on the same body and compare it with the elastic in a fair, like-for-like test.

By the end

A motor mounted and tested, with a comparison claim against the elastic car.

What we'll do (60 minutes)

Intro: the elastic is replaced by a motor on the same body. Energy now comes from a battery, and a program controls it. Input, process, output.8 min
Predict: will the motor beat the elastic for distance? For reliability? Why?10 min
Mount the motor in the space you marked in Lesson 1. Check wiring with a teacher, and confirm the brick is running the correct starter program.20 min
Run the starter program: three trials over the same lane, recording distance the same way as before.15 min
Write a comparison claim: evidence, a limitation and a confidence rating.7 min

Need a hand?

A mounting guide with a labelled diagram, a teacher checking the wiring with you, and a sentence starter comparing distance only.

Want a challenge?

Count how many trials it took before the motor ran consistently, and say where the motor car is still not reliable.