Lesson Plan: Bio-Robotics - Engineering Your Own Wobbledog

Materials Needed

• A computer or device capable of running the game "Wobbledogs" (available on platforms like Steam)
• Access to www.wobbledogs.com for reference/inspiration
• Lego Education Spike Prime Set (core set)
• A tablet or computer with the Lego Education Spike App installed
• Notebook or digital document for planning and reflection
• (Optional) A camera or smartphone to document the creation process

Subject Areas

Biology (Genetics, Heredity, Animal Behavior), Engineering (Robotics), Computer Science (Block-based Programming), Creative Design

Time Allotment

Approximately 3-4 hours, which can be split over multiple sessions.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Analyze the concept of genetic traits and mutations as presented in the game "Wobbledogs."
• Translate abstract biological concepts (like legs, wings, tail, behavior) into functional mechanical and programmable systems using the Lego Spike Prime set.
• Design and build a unique robot that mimics the physical characteristics of a Wobbledog.
• Program your robotic creation to exhibit at least two distinct behaviors (e.g., moving, reacting to a stimulus, making a sound).
• Document and explain your design choices, connecting them back to the principles of genetics and adaptation.

Alignment with Standards (Examples)

• NGSS (Biology): HS-LS3-1 (Heredity), HS-LS4-2 (Natural Selection) - By modeling how physical traits (genetics) affect function and "survival" in a designed creature.
• ISTE Standards for Students: 1.4 Innovative Designer, 1.5 Computational Thinker - By using a deliberate design process and developing automated solutions.

Lesson Activities

Part 1: Research and Inspiration (Approx. 45 minutes)

The goal of this phase is to understand the core concepts of Wobbledogs that you will replicate with Lego.

1. Play Session (30 mins): Spend time playing Wobbledogs with a specific goal: observe! Pay close attention to how dogs mutate. How do different leg counts affect movement? What kinds of body shapes, tails, or wings appear? Take notes on at least five interesting physical traits you observe.
2. Trait Selection (15 mins): Review your notes. Choose 2-3 key traits you want to build into your Lego Wobbledog. These will be your "genes." For example, you might choose:
   • Gene 1: Extra long body
   • Gene 2: Six legs
   • Gene 3: A reactive tail
   In your notebook, sketch a basic design concept for a Lego creature with these traits.

Part 2: Design and Build (Approx. 90 minutes)

This is where you bring your virtual dog into the physical world. Focus on function over perfect looks.

1. Core Mechanics (45 mins): Start building. Your first priority is movement. How will you make your creature "wobble" or walk?
   • Connect a motor from the Spike Prime set to a gear and axle system.
   • Experiment with different leg designs. Do you want them to move in unison? Or alternate?
   • Focus on building a sturdy chassis (body) that can support the motors, hub, and your unique genetic traits. Don't be afraid to build, test, fail, and rebuild! This is the engineering process.
2. Integrating Traits (45 mins): Now, build your chosen "genetic" traits from Part 1 onto your chassis.
   • If you chose "six legs," how will you attach them? Will they all be powered, or will some be for stability?
   • If you chose a "reactive tail," consider attaching the tail to a second motor or using the force sensor as a trigger.
   • Connect all your motors and sensors to the Spike Prime Hub.

Part 3: Programming a Personality (Approx. 60 minutes)

A Wobbledog isn't just its body; it's its behavior! Let's give your creation a personality using the Spike App.

1. Basic Movement (20 mins): Open the Spike App and connect to your hub. Create a new project using the Word Blocks (Scratch-based). Write a simple program to make your primary motor(s) run. Test it. Does your dog move forward? Does it fall apart? Refine your build and program until it can move across a surface for at least 5 seconds.
2. Programmed Behavior (30 mins): Now, program at least one unique behavior based on a sensor. This gives your dog "life."
   • Idea 1 (Color Sensor): Program your dog to stop and make a happy sound when it sees a specific color (like a piece of food).
   • Idea 2 (Force Sensor): If you built a reactive tail, program the motor to wag when the force sensor on its head is "petted" (pressed).
   • Idea 3 (Distance Sensor): Program your dog to make a scared noise and back away if something gets too close to its face.
3. Refinement (10 mins): Tweak your code. Adjust motor speeds, sounds, and light patterns on the hub to give your Wobbledog more character.

Assessment & Reflection

This is your chance to show off your creation and think about what you learned.

1. Demonstration: Present your Lego Wobbledog.
   • Show how it moves.
   • Demonstrate its unique sensor-based behavior.
   • Explain which "genetic traits" you chose from the game and how you engineered them in your build.
2. Lab Report / Written Reflection: In your notebook or a digital document, answer the following questions:
   • What was the biggest engineering challenge you faced while building your robot, and how did you solve it?
   • How did your programming choices give your robot a "personality"?
   • If you had to create a "mutation" of your current robot, what one physical trait would you change or add, and what new function or behavior would that allow? (e.g., "I would add wings using a second motor to make them flap, even if it can't fly.")

Differentiation and Extension

• For Extra Support: Start with a basic driving base model from the Spike App tutorials. Then, focus on adding just one creative "Wobbledog" feature to it instead of building a whole creature from scratch.
• For an Extra Challenge:
  • The "Gut" Challenge: Program a "hunger" variable. The dog must find a certain color ("food") every 60 seconds, or it "hibernates" (stops moving) until you press a button to "feed" it.
  • Advanced Genetics: Build two different Wobbledogs. Then, create a third "offspring" robot that physically combines one trait from each "parent."
  • Environmental Interaction: Design a simple maze or obstacle course and program your dog to navigate it using its sensors.