Wobbledogs + LEGO Education SPIKE Prime Worksheet for 15-Year-Olds — STEM Robotics & Coding

Instructions

Welcome to the Wobbledog Robotics Lab! The game Wobbledogs is all about raising and mutating digital dogs based on what they eat and their environment. The Lego Education Spike Prime set lets you build and program real-world robots using motors and sensors. In this activity, you will combine these two worlds by designing a robotic "Wobbledog" using the principles of the game and the parts from a Spike Prime set.

You will plan its genetic traits, design its mutations based on sensory input, and outline the code to bring it to life.

Part 1: Conceptual Design & Genetics

Every Wobbledog is unique. First, let's design the basic "genetic" blueprint for your robotic creation.

1. Create Your Wobbledog Blueprint:

In the space below, describe or sketch the core features of your base Wobbledog. What makes it unique before it starts mutating? Think about its body shape, how it moves, and any special abilities.

• Name: _________________________
• Body Shape: (e.g., Long and low to the ground, tall and wobbly, spherical)
• Number of Legs/Wheels:
• Primary Mode of Movement: (e.g., Crawling, rolling, shuffling, hopping)
• A Special "Genetic" Trait: (e.g., A spinning tail, a light-up nose, a head that nods)

2. Plan the Mutations:

In Wobbledogs, gut flora from different foods causes mutations. For your robot, sensory input will trigger "mutations" (changes in behavior or function). Complete the table below to plan three cause-and-effect mutations. Use the Spike Prime sensors (Color, Force, Distance) as the "cause."

Part 2: Engineering & Programming

Now, let's translate your design into a plan for a real Spike Prime build and program.

3. Match Components to "Genes":

List which Spike Prime components you would use to build the "genetic" traits you designed in Part 1. Be specific!

• Movement (Legs/Wheels): (e.g., Two large motors to control two wheels for forward motion)
  
• Special Trait (e.g., Spinning Tail): (e.g., One medium motor attached to a long beam)
  
• Sensory Organs (Eyes/Nose/etc.): (e.g., The Distance Sensor mounted on the front as "eyes")
  

4. Code a Mutation:

Choose one of the mutations you designed in the table from Part 2. Write out the program logic for it below using pseudocode. Pseudocode is a simple, written description of the steps in your program. Use clear, logical language like IF, THEN, ELSE, and REPEAT.

Example based on the "Color-Coded Treat" mutation:
PROGRAM START
REPEAT forever:
    IF Color Sensor detects RED,
    THEN
        Set Hub light to RED.
        Run Drive Motors in opposite directions for 2 rotations.
        Turn Hub light OFF.
    END IF
END REPEAT

Your Pseudocode for a Mutation:

Part 3: Critical Thinking & Extension

Let's think beyond the basic build. How do the concepts of biology and robotics intersect?

5. The Robotic Life Cycle: In Wobbledogs, dogs have a life cycle: they hatch, pupate into new forms, and eventually die. How could you simulate a "life cycle" or "pupation" event for your Lego Wobbledog? Describe one idea.

6. Models and Limitations: Your Lego creation is a model of a biological system. What is one major advantage of using a robot to model genetics and behavior? What is one major limitation where the robot can't truly replicate the complexity of a living Wobbledog?

Advantage:

Limitation:

Answer Key

Note: Many answers on this worksheet are open to creative interpretation. The examples below provide guidance on the expected type of response.

Part 1: Conceptual Design & Genetics

1. Create Your Wobbledog Blueprint: Answers are based on student creativity. A good answer will be detailed and imaginative. (e.g., Name: Scuttler. Body Shape: Flat and wide like a crab. Legs: Six small wheels for multi-directional movement. Special Trait: A Force Sensor on its back that acts as a "shell.")
2. Plan the Mutations: Answers should show a clear cause-and-effect relationship between a sensor and a resulting action.
   • A "Pet" on the Head: (Cause: Force Sensor is pressed) -> (Effect: Wobbledog makes a happy sound through the Hub speaker and wiggles its motors back and forth for 3 seconds.)
   • Approaching Object: (Cause: Distance Sensor detects object < 10cm) -> (Effect: Wobbledog stops, reverses its motors for 1 rotation, and turns 90 degrees to avoid the object.)
   • A Specific Color: (Cause: Color Sensor detects BLUE) -> (Effect: Wobbledog becomes "calm." It slows its motor speed by 50% and changes its Hub light to a soft blue.)

Part 2: Engineering & Programming

3. Match Components to "Genes": Answers should correctly identify plausible Spike Prime parts for the student's design.
   • Movement: Two large motors for the main wheels, one medium motor for a steering mechanism.
   • Special Trait: The Hub's 5x5 light matrix to display patterns.
   • Sensory Organs: Color Sensor on an arm to "sniff" the ground, Force Sensor on top as a "touch" button.
4. Code a Mutation: The pseudocode should be logical and follow a structure like IF-THEN. It must correspond to one of the student's planned mutations.

   Example for the "Pet on the Head" mutation:
   PROGRAM START
REPEAT forever:
    IF Force Sensor is PRESSED,
    THEN
        Play "Happy" sound on Hub speaker.
        Run Left Motor forward for 0.5 seconds.
        Run Right Motor forward for 0.5 seconds.
        Run Left Motor backward for 0.5 seconds.
        Run Right Motor backward for 0.5 seconds.
    END IF
END REPEAT

Part 3: Critical Thinking & Extension

5. The Robotic Life Cycle: Answers should be creative and technically plausible. Example: "For 'pupation,' the robot could run a special program after it has detected 5 different colors. In this program, it would stop moving, play a sound, and then unlock a new behavior, like using its third motor for a new function that it couldn't do before. This represents its 'new form'."
6. Models and Limitations:
   • Advantage: A good answer will focus on control and predictability. Example: "An advantage is that the robot's 'mutations' are predictable and repeatable. You can perfectly control the inputs (the sensors) to get a specific output, which is great for testing ideas. You can also easily reset it to its original state."
   • Limitation: A good answer will focus on the randomness and complexity of biology. Example: "A limitation is that a robot cannot truly replicate the random, emergent complexity of genetics. In Wobbledogs, mutations can be unexpected combinations of traits, while my robot can only perform the specific behaviors I explicitly program it to do."