Hydro Dynamics (FIRST)

Hydro Dynamics is the name of the 2017/18 FIRST Lego League challenge. It focuses on the water cycle and the ways in which humans can influence it.[2] Each event consists of two main portions: the project and robot gameplay. Teams have fewer than ten weeks to prepare for their competitions.[3]

Hydro Dynamics
Challenge Number18
Released In2017
Missions18
Kids284,000[1]
Teams35,500
Tournaments1,295
Championship Tournaments166

Project

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Teams are invited to identify a problem in the human water cycle and examine it to determine the cause and current solutions that may exist. Teams then solve to the problem by improving on a previous solution or creating a new one. Teams finally create a presentation that describes their solution and how they reached it and present it to the judges at their competitions.[4]

Gameplay

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The table performance portion of Hydro Dynamics is played on a 4 ft by 8 ft field covered in a plastic covering and rimmed by wooden boards. In order to compete in this portion, teams have to build a robot using a Lego Mindstorms robotics kit. During a competition, two fields are placed besides each other, with one robot competing on each field. Matches last 2+12 minutes and consist of a team's robot completing missions using pre-programmed instructions.[5]

Missions

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The missions in Hydro Dynamics revolve around the purification, transportation, and use of water. A list of the missions and their point values is found below.[5]

  • Pipe removal - 20 points
  • Flow - 25 points
  • Pump Addition - 20 points
  • Rain - 20 points
  • Filter - 30 points
  • Water Treatment - 20 points
  • Fountain - 20 points
  • 2 Manhole Covers - 15 points each, 30 point bonus
  • Tripod - Partially 15 points, completely 30 points
  • Pipe Replacement - 20 points
  • Pipe Construction - Partially 15 points, completely 30 points
  • Sludge - 30 points
  • Flower - 30 points, 30 point bonus
  • Water Well - Partially 15 points, completely 25 points
  • Firetruck - 25 points
  • Water Collection - At least one Rain 10 points, Big Water 10 points each, 30 point bonus
  • Slingshot - 20 points, 15 point bonus
  • Faucet - 25 points

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "FIRST Lego League At-A-Glance" (PDF). FIRST. 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  2. ^ "Local students compete in regional robotics tournament [photos]". timesfreepress.com. 2018-01-14. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  3. ^ "Students build LEGO robots at Gatwick Airport". www.crawleyobserver.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  4. ^ "Rutland team wins robotics contest | Rutland Herald". Rutland Herald. 2017-12-27. Archived from the original on 2018-06-17. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  5. ^ a b "Hydro Dynamics Challenge Letter" (PDF). FIRST. August 29, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
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