Underwater Lego Robotics: Testing, Evaluation & Redesign

Abstract

In this study, underwater robotics using LEGO was used to analyze the testing, evaluation and redesign phases of the engineering design process. A group of all male participants of a summer camp at Tufts University, ranging in age from 10 -13 were instructed to first build a boat; then modify their boat to become a submersible. The activity required the students to test their creations in a small pool away from the building area in order to reinforce the iterative nature of testing and redesign. Each student's process was mapped out in time and with a flow diagram to vividly illustrate his individual process. Through this analysis, the study supplies an example of how underwater robotics can be used to integrate the engineering design process with related science topics in the classroom.