Bowling Pin (Sphero scale)

thingiverse

This is a fairly accurate ten-pin bowling pin scaled for the 73mm (2 7/8") Sphero. The pin measures 128mm (5 3/64") tall. Files are available in three formats: a horizontal single pin print, an upright single pin print, and a set of 10 upright pins. A fairly large print plate and considerable time and filament may be necessary to print all 10 in one go. Standards NGSS Overview and Background Robot Bowling These bowling pins are scaled for the Sphero but can also be used with other small educational robots, such as Dash/Dot, LEGO EV3, Bit Extra Bot, etc. They make engaging elements in mazes, Rube Goldberg machines, or just robot bowling games. Lesson Plan and Activity Robot Bowling Maze Programming Challenge Goal: Program a small robot to start at one end of a maze, navigate through obstacles, and knock down the bowling pins at the other end. Activity: Set up a maze using programming (not remote control) to navigate through it and knock down the pins. This activity can be adapted to any classroom level with a small robot and space for the maze, from simple introductory programming to more advanced robots using sensors. Obstacles can be made from classroom objects, custom 3D printed items, or dimensional lumber. The robot must navigate the path to the bowling pins. One obstacle with two 90-degree turns may be suitable for primary classrooms, while a complex maze with different angles and hazards is better suited for secondary engineering or programming curricula. It's recommended that the bot have sufficient distance before the first pin to build up momentum. Just like real bowling, barely tapping a pin won't knock over more than just that pin. The point of the pins at the end is to present an engaging goal/reward for completing the maze. The maze activity will work without the pins, but adding the pins increases engagement and fun! Materials Needed A small programmable robot Obstacles