Shocker Mindstorms logo

Shocker MINDSTORMS Challenge

Towers of Doom

Apprentice Mission created by Andy and Susan Helten

(Beginner and Beginner II Teams)

Story:

This story begins and ends with a brave little WuShock. He needs help finding his way to Koch Arena to cheer on his team. With all the new construction on campus, he has gotten lost among the buildings on a dark cold night. Your task is to help WuShock navigate his way along the marked path through the spooky tower-like buildings. You must follow the pathway and hit all checkpoints! Beware what could happen as you navigate the TOWERS OF DOOM!

Bill of Materials:

Material Quantity Availability Estimated
Unit Cost
Estimated
Total Cost
3M Scotch White Electrical Tape ¾” x 66' 1 Home Depot $3.98 $3.98
Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Flat Black Paint 1 Home Depot $3.87 $3.87
Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Gloss Apple Red 1 Home Depot $3.87 $3.87
SPAX #6 x ½” Construction Screws 1 Home Depot $1.94 $1.94
SPAX #6 x 1¼” Construction Screws 1 Home Depot $1.94 $1.94
SPAX #8 x 2½” Construction Screws 1 Home Depot $1.94 $1.94
1” x 2” x 8' Furring Strip Board 3 Home Depot $0.92 $2.76
2” x 2” x 8' Strip Board (for eight 8” towers) 1 Home Depot $1.57 $1.57
¼” 4' x 8' Plywood Sheet 1 Home Depot $19.92 $19.92
        $41.79

Scoring Matrix:

Task Points Cumulative
Points
Robot begins inside Starting Area marked by red box    
Robot earns points the first time (only) that any part of robot passes over:    
First (1st) corner AFTER split (Y) in path 5 5
Second (2nd) corner 10 15
Third (3rd) corner 15 30
Fourth (4th) corner 20 50
Fifth (5th) corner 25 75
Sixth (6th) corner 30 105
Seventh (7th) corner 35 140
Top of ramp platform 100 240
Eighth (8th) corner 40 280
Ninth (9th) corner 45 325
Tenth (10th) corner 50 375
Eleventh (11th) corner 55 430
Twelfth (12th) corner 60 490
Thirteenth (13th) corner 65 555
Fourteenth (14th) corner 70 625
Robot returns to start area (any part of robot touches start area) 75 700
     
The following points for timing can only be earned if the robot follows the serpentine line, touching all corners in sequence, and returns to the starting point.    
60 seconds < Robot touches all 14 corners and top of ramp < 90 seconds 100 800
45 seconds < Robot touches all 14 corners and top of ramp < 60 seconds 200 900
Robot touches all 14 corners and top of ramp < 45 seconds 300 1000
Points Possible   1000

Drawings (pdf)

Build instructions (pdf)

Course Photos (jpg):
Overview

Close Up
Ramp