Robotics Team Roles
Robotics and Automation
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Goals
Students will understand
• the purpose of a team;
• the purpose of a robotics team;
• the functions of a robotics team;
• the roles of a robotics team;
• how to create a robotics team; and
• how to assign robotics team roles.
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Terms
• Team – a group of people working together.
• Teammate – a person on the same team.
• Teamwork – joint action by a group of people.
• Robotics – the science or technology of robots, their design, and use.
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Purpose of a Team
• A team is a group of people working together.
• A team has a purpose and uses that purpose to contribute to its
success.
• A team increases the ability of each teammate to better serve the
team by participating in planning, problem solving, and decision
making.
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Purpose of a Robotics Team
• Robotics teams teach students about engineering and technology.
• Student teams design, build, and test robots, while learning concepts
of math and science.
• Teams have the opportunity to participate in competitions against
other student teams.
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Functions of a Robotics Team
Successful robotics teams exhibit flexibility and productivity in the following functions.
Team Functions
Definitions
1. Accountability
The fact or condition of being accountable; responsible.
2. Clear Goals
The process of setting realistic goals based on a person’s skill set and abilities.
3. Communication
The process of exchanging information within the team.
4. Collaboration
The action of working with a team to produce a robot.
5. Conflict Resolution
The process of constructively resolving a disagreement between teammates.
6. Decision Making
The action or process of making decisions, especially important ones.
7. Leadership
The action of leading a robotics team.
8. Trust
The belief in a teammate’s honesty, ability, and reliability.
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Roles on the Robotics Team
Before getting started, assign roles to each teammate on the robotics team.
Role assignment ensures that each teammate participates in project activities.
You may assign the below roles to the teammates.
Project Manager
Research Scientist
Technical Writer
Robot Design Engineer
Computer Programmer
Quality Control Specialist
Strategic Planner
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Creating a Robotics Team
The goal of forming a robotics team is to assign every teammate a role that
they want to do and have the skills to do. Review the roles on the robotics
team and discuss the interests and strengths of teammates.
Project Manager
Research Scientists
Computer Programmer
Technical Writer
Robot Design Engineer
Strategic Planner
Quality Control Specialist
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Assigning Roles on the Robotics Team
Assign the role of Project Manager using these guidelines.
Robotics Team Roles
Project Manager
Responsibilities
Skills Required
• Assigns responsibilities / tasks
• Strong communication skills
• Sets the project schedule
• Leadership skills
• Monitors progress and participation
• Organization skills
• Leads the practice meetings
• Efficiency skills
• Communicates information to the
team
• Problem solving skills
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Assigning Roles on the Robotics Team
Assign the role of Technical Writer using these guidelines.
Robotics Team Roles
Technical Writer
Responsibilities
• Documents team progress and
ideas
• Keeps track of all materials
Skills Required
• Strong organization skills
• Strong writing skills, including the
ability to write quickly
• Organizes information in a visual aid • Creative thinking skills
• Artistic skills
• Observant and detail oriented
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Assigning Roles on the Robotics Team
Assign the role of Research Scientist using these guidelines.
Robotics Team Roles
Research Scientist
Responsibilities
Skills Required
• Leads team efforts to gather
information and prepare research
• Strong research skills
• Develops project and presentation
• Strong organization skills
• Strong public speaking skills
• Creative thinking skills
• Interest in space exploration
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Assigning Roles on the Robotics Team
Assign the role of Robot Design Engineer using these guidelines.
Robotics Team Roles
Robot Design Engineer
Responsibilities
Skills Required
• Understands rules about the
robotics project
• Strong teamwork skills
• Leads team on building the robot
• Knowledge about robots and how
to build them
• Guides ideas for a realistic model
• Develops technical presentation
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• Communication skills
• Some knowledge of gears and
motors
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Assigning Roles on the Robotics Team
Assign the role of Computer Programmer using these guidelines.
Robotics Team Roles
Computer Programmer
Responsibilities
Skills Required
• Understands rules about the
robotics project
• Strong logic skills
• Develops all programming code
• Strong teamwork skills
• Develops technical presentation
• Communication skills
• Works closely with the Computer
Design Engineer and the Strategic
Planner
• Prior programming experience
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• Strong computer skills
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Assigning Roles on the Robotics Team
Assign the role of Strategic Planner using these guidelines.
Robotics Team Roles
Strategic Planner
Responsibilities
• Understands rules about the
robotics project
• Develops final plan for project
• Works closely with the Computer
Programmer and the Design
Engineer
• Tests robot and identifies possible
weak points
Skills Required
• Strong problem solving skills
• Strong communication skills –
especially conveying clear ideas
• Strong analytical skills
• Teamwork skills
• Willingness to learn about
programming and building
• Recommends improvements
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Assigning Roles to the Robotics Team
Assign the role of Quality Control Specialist using these guidelines.
Robotics Team Roles
Quality Control Specialist
Responsibilities
• Understands rules about the
robotics project
• Develops final team plan
Skills Required
• Strong problem solving skills
• Strong communication skills –
especially conveying clear ideas
• Works closely with the Computer
Programmer and the Design
Engineer
• Strong analytical skills
• Tests robot and identifies possible
weak points
• Willingness to learn about
programming and building
• Teamwork skills
• Recommends improvements
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Assignment
• Are you ready to form your own robotics team?
• Do you want to be part of a team that designs and tests a robot?
Begin Assignment:
1. Visit the NASA education website and click the link for Lesson Plans.
Source: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/robotics/home/index2.html
2. Form a robotics team.
3. Select a robotics project from the NASA website.
4. Decide how the team will function and determine team roles.
5. Prepare a presentation and discuss with your teacher and classmates.
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