A fire-fighting robot and its impact on educational outcomes

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the educational experiences gained through the design, construction, and competition of a fire-fighting robot. We focus on two significant educational outcomes: 1) teamwork skills and 2) the ability to frame, define, and resolve difficult, real-world problems. We also discuss the practical experience gained through building a robot with high performance, reliability, speed, and accuracy specifications. The four sub-modules of the robot design, namely motion control, sensors, independent power supply development, and a fire-extinguishing mechanism, stress the two educational outcomes. The desire to win the competition is a constant source of motivation and tests the limits of a student's patience, education, and teamwork skills. This desire to win also encourages the students to reach for the highest standards of performance, reliability, speed and accuracy. Each design and construction phase taught the students how to frame, define, and then resolve problems. We show how each stage of the fire-fighting robot design, construction, and competition contributes toward improving the desired educational outcomes.