Assessment 2 Lesson 2
Start Building: Rover Base and Drivetrain 🔧
Today you start building. The aim is not a perfect rover. The aim is a testable base that can begin to move.
Build enough that you can learn something from it. A rough test is better than a perfect idea that never touches the table.
Today’s goal
Begin building the rover base and drivetrain so the robot can start becoming testable.
Before you leave
Complete Engineering Entry 2 with a build checkpoint, problem, sketch, observation or photo reference.
Build target
By the end of the lesson, your group should have a rover base that is started and clear enough to explain.
What will hold the rover together?
How will the rover move?
Where could the brain, battery, motors and cables sit safely?
Minimum portfolio pages to complete today
Keep the writing light, but make sure your folder matches what you are actually building.
| Starter Pack page | Minimum work for today |
|---|---|
| Engineering entry tracker | Add Entry 2 when it is completed and signed off. |
| Initial design sketch - top view | Start or update a simple top-view sketch showing the base shape, wheels and main parts. |
| Initial design sketch - side/front view | Add a second view if it helps show motor, wheel, brain or battery placement. |
| Initial design explanation | Write a short explanation of how the base is intended to move and which components need protection. |
Build sequence
- Check your first rough design idea from Lesson 1.
- Choose a simple base shape and drivetrain direction.
- Build the base strong enough to pick up without falling apart.
- Place motors and wheels so they are even and not rubbing.
- Check where the VEX brain and battery might sit.
- Stop and record one useful observation before the end of the lesson.
Engineering Entry 2: what a detailed entry needs
Use the entry sheet properly. Your entry should tell the story of what happened this lesson, not just list three words.
| Entry section | What to include today |
|---|---|
| What I/we did today | Write what you built on the rover base or drivetrain. Name the specific part, such as frame, wheels, motors, axle, brain position or battery position. |
| Problem, test or checkpoint | Choose one important problem, test, decision or checkpoint from the lesson. |
| What I noticed and thought | Explain what you observed and what you think caused it. |
| What changed or was fixed | Describe the change you made, or explain what needs to change next if you did not fix it yet. |
| Result and next step | Record what happened after the change or test, then write the next sensible action. |
| Evidence space | Add a labelled sketch, labelled diagram, measurement, test result, code note, observation or photo reference. |
Before you leave: ask for teacher feedback/sign-off, then put the entry sheet in your clear plastic folder.