Hydro Dynamics (FIRST)
Hydro Dynamics is the name of the 2017/18 FIRST Lego League challenge. It focuses on the water cycle and the ways in which humans can influence it.[2] Each event consists of two main portions: the project and robot gameplay. Teams have fewer than ten weeks to prepare for their competitions.[3]
Hydro Dynamics | |
---|---|
Challenge Number | 18 |
Released In | 2017 |
Missions | 18 |
Kids | 284,000[1] |
Teams | 35,500 |
Tournaments | 1,295 |
Championship Tournaments | 166 |
Project
Teams are invited to identify a problem in the human water cycle and examine it to determine the cause and current solutions that may exist. Teams then solve to the problem by improving on a previous solution or creating a new one. Teams finally create a presentation that describes their solution and how they reached it and present it to the judges at their competitions.[4]
Gameplay
The table performance portion of Hydro Dynamics is played on a 4 ft by 8 ft field covered in a plastic covering and rimmed by wooden boards. In order to compete in this portion, teams have to build a robot using a Lego Mindstorms robotics kit. During a competition, two fields are placed besides each other, with one robot competing on each field. Matches last 2 1/2 minutes and consist of a team's robot completing missions using pre-programmed instructions.[5]
Missions
The missions in Hydro Dynamics revolve around the purification, transportation, and use of water. A list of the missions and their point values is found below.[5]
- Pipe removal - 20 points
- Flow - 25 points
- Pump Addition - 20 points
- Rain - 20 points
- Filter - 30 points
- Water Treatment - 20 points
- Fountain - 20 points
- 2 Manhole Covers - 15 points each, 30 point bonus
- Tripod - Partially 15 points, completely 30 points
- Pipe Replacement - 20 points
- Pipe Construction - Partially 15 points, completely 30 points
- Sludge - 30 points
- Flower - 30 points, 30 point bonus
- Water Well - Partially 15 points, completely 25 points
- Firetruck - 25 points
- Water Collection - At least one Rain 10 points, Big Water 10 points each, 30 point bonus
- Slingshot - 20 points, 15 point bonus
- Faucet - 25 points
References
- "FIRST Lego League At-A-Glance" (PDF). FIRST. 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- "Local students compete in regional robotics tournament [photos]". timesfreepress.com. 2018-01-14. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
- "Students build LEGO® robots at Gatwick Airport". www.crawleyobserver.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
- "Rutland team wins robotics contest | Rutland Herald". Rutland Herald. 2017-12-27. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
- "Hydro Dynamics Challenge Letter" (PDF). FIRST. August 29, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2018.