ASSESSMENT LESSON 3

Movement and Drivetrain Testing 🚙

Today you test and improve how your rover moves. A rover that cannot move predictably will struggle with every later task.

Focus on simple movement first: forward, backward and turning. Test, notice, change, then record the evidence.

Today’s goal

Test forward movement, backward movement and turning. Improve one movement problem if you find one.

Before you leave

Complete Engineering Entry 3 with one movement test, one observation and one change or next step.

Minimum portfolio pages to complete today

Today’s folder evidence should connect your movement testing to the design requirements.

Starter Pack page Minimum work for today
Engineering entry tracker Add Entry 3 when it is completed and signed off.
Prescribed criteria Add or improve the Mobility row: what the rover needs to do and how you could test it.
Initial design sketches Update the sketch if the drivetrain or base changed today.
General testing notes or movement test pages Record early movement observations. If your teacher says to begin formal testing, start the straight-line and turning test pages.

Movement checks

Use these checks to find out what your rover is doing. If something does not work, that is useful engineering evidence.

Check What to look for What to record
Forward Does it move straight or drift? Distance, direction, drift or problem.
Backward Does it reverse smoothly? Whether it moves evenly or catches.
Turning Can it turn without tipping, dragging or twisting? What worked and what needs changing.
Stability Does the build stay together while moving? Loose parts, weak points or cable problems.

Pick one movement problem to improve

Do not try to fix everything at once. Choose one problem, change one thing, then test again.

Wheel rubbing
Uneven turning
Base twisting
Parts coming loose
If your rover is not moving properly
  1. Check that the wheels can spin freely.
  2. Check that both sides are built evenly.
  3. Check that motors and wheels are connected securely.
  4. Check that cables are not catching on moving parts.
  5. Change one thing, then test again.

Engineering Entry 3: 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 the movement test you tried, such as forward, backward, turning or stability. Include what the rover actually did.
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.
Helpful sentence starter: “We tested movement by... We noticed... We changed... After the change...”

Before you leave: ask for teacher feedback/sign-off, then put the entry sheet in your clear plastic folder.

Year 9 Digital Technologies • Assessment Lesson 3 • VEX IQ Gen 2 Rover