This is a great activity for group collaboration. For the Cricket Derby teams of young people are given a "kit" containing LEGO building supplies, a pre-programmed crickets, and assorted art supplies. Each team has a certain amount of time to create their entry for the Cricket Derby. At one Cricket Derby event at the Computer Clubhouse at the Computer Museum, teams created entries such as "Gatito" a cat with a cricket controlled scratching and tickling devices. Another team created a moveable story involving Clubhouse staff members. This is a wonderful way to introduce crickets, spontaneous building, and to integrate other supplies into cricket and LEGO constructions.
What You Need
Containers for the kits
LEGO building blocks, motors, LEGO bases...
Pre-programmed cricket (each group should have a cricket programmed with basic movement. One example is to program the cricket using a temperature sensor to turn the motor on for a certain amount of time. This provides the group with the added challenge of integrating the temperature sensor into their design.
Art supplies: pipe cleaners, glue, fabric, foamies, misc. items...
Getting Started
Divide the group of young people into teams of 3-5 people in each group. If mentors are available, it can be good to have a mentor in each team. Make sure each team has enough room to work. It's nice if the groups can be spread out enough so that they are not watching what the other group is building.
Give each team their kit and the "instructions" for the Cricket Derby. For example let them know how much time there is available to create and any other "rules" of the Derby. For example you might want to ask each group to use as many of the supplies in the kit as possible, or ask them to integrate people or certain shapes into their creations.
Let the groups go to it and create!
One Step Further
Have the groups share their Derby Creations with the group.
As an added challenge, each group can come up with a title and/or a story to accompany their entry. This can be done on the same day or as a new activity.
Each group can work to re-program their cricket if there is new movement or behavior that they are interested in integrating into the project.
Document the project and add it to a webpage!
Tips
Have lots of different art supplies and interesting materials available--this gives the groups the challenge of integrating other materials into the project.
Keep an eye on each group to make sure all the young people are getting a chance to participate in the project.
