Elevator Challenge
Time 6.7 hrs

Difficulty Intermediate
Prerequisites Everyday Algorithms
Pathfinding
Departments Science
Authors Sandra Kuipers
Groupings Individual
Minimum Year Group None

Blurb

Can you grok the logic?

License

This work is shared under the following license: Creative Commons BY-SA-NC

Outline

Learner Outcomes
Students will:
  • ...
Competency Focus
  • ...
Interdisciplinary Connections
  • ...
Reflection
What was successful? What needs changing? Alternative Assessments and Lesson Ideas? What other Differentiation Ideas/Plans could be used?
  • ...
Credits
Any CC attribution, thanks, credit, etc.

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5 mins
Summative Project
Introduction
  • So-far, we've explored concepts like physics, algorithms, components, and pathfinding in Unity.
  • Now it's time to start putting to the pieces together into a project.

How it Works:

  • This project is broken down into 3 steps:
    • Design: Create a flowchart for your algorithm.
    • Build: Code your elevator system.
    • Test: Test and refine your algorithm.

5 mins
Elevator Challenge
Project Overview
  • Your challenge in this project is:

    You have just been hired as a junior elevator programmer. The company's current elevator code is slow and buggy. Your first task is to design a new algorithm for their elevator system. To do this, you'll use Unity 3D to create a simulation of an elevator to test and demonstrate the algorithm you create.

  • Your company is using an Agile development practice. They have given you the requirements of the elevator as a set of four User Stories
  • User stories are short, simple descriptions of a feature told from the perspective of the person who desires the new capability, usually a user or customer of the system.
  • Take a moment to read each of the stories so you understand your design parameters:


User Story 1:

  • As a building manager, I want an elevator system that can manage at least two elevator shafts.

User Story 2:

  • As a person waiting for an elevator, I want to see which floor it is on so that I know it is coming to pick me up.

User Story 3:

  • As a person using the elevator, I want to be able to decide which direction to go so that I can go up or down.

User Story 4:

  • As a person waiting for an elevator, I want it to stop and pick me up if it is going past my floor.

  • Consider how you would build your algorithm to meet these requirements.
80 mins
Design
Project Step 1

  • Before diving right in and coding your elevator system, you need to design the algorithm.
  • Remember: an algorithm is basically a set of steps and procedures to follow.
  • To design your algorithm for this project, you'll be creating a flowchart.
  • How do you make a flowchart? You have many options:

  • When creating your algorithm flowchart, start with:
    • The sources of input (a button press?)
    • Consider the processing steps (what decisions does the system need to make?)
    • Add branches for the different output (does a car begin to move? if so, where?)
  • Try to decompose your algorithm into small steps: think of each symbol on your flowchart as a method call.
    • For example, rather than a complex step called "move elevator", you might need smaller steps for "is elevator already moving?", "get closest car", "get distance between floors"
230 mins
Build
Project Step 2

  • Using Unity, setup a simulation for your elevator algorithm.
  • As a simulation, the code and the algorithm are the most important part. Your elevator system does not need need to be complex:
    • You do not necessarily need a player controller; the camera can be fixed.
    • You don't need buttons inside the elevator car.
    • You don't need any fancy graphics or 3D models.
80 mins
Test
Project Step 3

  • There are many ways to test a piece of code.
  • For this project, we're going to use a method called Acceptance Testing.
  • Acceptance Testing is a level of software testing where a system is tested for acceptability.
  • The purpose of this test is to evaluate the system’s compliance with the business requirements and assess whether it is acceptable for delivery.
  • For your hypothetical career as an elevator programmer: Would your boss accept your solution?

  • Look back at the User Stories described in the project overview.
  • Ask yourself: Would this user accept my elevator algorithm as a solution to their problem?
    • User Story 1: Does my system manage at least two elevator shafts?
    • User Story 2: Can my users see which floor the elevator is on?
    • User Story 3: Do my elevators allow users to go up or down?
    • User Story 4: Will my system stop and pick up passengers along the way?

  • There are many other types of software testing, such as unit testing, end-to-end testing, and usability testing.
  • We're using acceptance testing to ensure we've met the needs in our user stories.
  • Once you've tested your elevator against each of these user stories, you're ready to submit!
Submit
Evidence
  • Once you've designed, built and tested your elevator system, please:
    • Save your Unity project.
    • Zip the folder containing your project.
    • Add your name to the filename.
    • Upload it to Google Drive.
  • Create a Google Doc for your project submission:
    • Add your name and a brief description of your project.
    • Include any instructions for how to run your elevator simulation.
    • Include an image or link to your algorithm flow chart in your submission.
    • Include a link to your Google Drive file (double-check sharing settings).
  • Also submit a link to your doc to complete this unit in Free Learning.
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