Division II: Grades 4-6
&
Embedded Files
Division III: Grades 7-9
Equipment
Equipment
Students in both Division II and Division III will use the equipment below for the tournament, including a Chromebook for coding purposes. Although both divisions will use the same equipment, the events students are tasked to complete at the tournament will be appropriate for their grade level.
BBC micro:bit
BBC micro:bit
The BBC micro:bit is a tiny, programmable computer designed for learning coding. It has lights, buttons, and sensors that can be used to create games, control robots, and interact with the world. Users can program it using simple blocks or text-based coding.
Smart Cutebot Pro
Smart Cutebot Pro
The Cutebot Pro is a small, programmable robot car that is powered by a Micro:bit. It has wheels, lights, and sensors that allow it to follow lines, avoid obstacles, and interact with its surroundings. Students can program it using simple blocks or text-based coding to make it move, respond, and complete challenges.
Getting Started: BBC micro:bit
Getting Started: BBC micro:bit
Before students start using the Cutebot Pro robot they should be familiar with how to code using a micro:bit. For an introduction on how to use a micro:bit watch the videos below.
Once you're ready to begin making your own programs click the green button below to go to the MakeCode website! On this website you can create new projects, upload code to your micro:bit and view all kinds of tutorials and resources for learning micro:bits.
See if you can create the code and download it onto your micro:bit that is shown in the name badge video above. Once you try to create this simple code, try work through the tutorials below to further enhance your coding skills and learn about the different features of the micro:bit. You can access the tutorials by click the links below each image.
We also encourage you to explore many of the other tutorials found on the MakeCode micro:bit website to further enhance your coding skills. Now that you should be more familiar with how to use a micro:bit, it is time to start practicing with the Cutebot Pro.
Getting Started: Cutebot Pro
Getting Started: Cutebot Pro
The video below provides basic information about the Cutebot Pro. If you are already familiar with the Cutebot Pro it may not be necessary to watch, however if this is your first time working with this robot please ensure you watch the full video.
Since the Cutebot Pro robot is powered by a micro:bit, we use the same MakeCode micro:bit website to create programs for the Cutebot Pro. The first thing we must do is download the "Extension" coding blocks that are required to begin coding with the Cutebot Pro.
Click through the images below to see how this is done (there are small captions below each image with instructions).
For more information on each coding block that is added under the Cutebot Pro extension, please view the page below.
While there are many blocks that are added under this extension, students will not need to know how every block works. It is expected that students are familiar with how to use the blocks in the "Basic Control", "LED Headlights" and "PID Control" headings for the tournament.
Charging The Cutebot Pro
Charging The Cutebot Pro
As you start using the Cutebot Pro over an extended period of time the battery will begin to lose power, and it may not show the same performance as when it was fully charged. To charge the robot please follow these steps:
Locate the USB to micro-USB cord in the Cutebot Pro box.
Connect the USB part of the cord into a charging adapter or USB slot on a computer.
While the Cutebot Pro is powered off, connect the micro-USB part of the cord to the micro-USB slot located at the back of the Cutebot Pro.
When connected to power, the power indicator light (located beside the micro-USB port on the Cutebot Pro) will show the current power level and blink in the charging state.
When fully charged, the power indicator lights will all be lit. Disconnect the power supply and you're all done.
The table below indicates the charging status of the Cutebot Pro as it's plugged in and charging.
Practice Resource: Case Library
Practice Resource: Case Library
To begin practicing with the Cutebot Pro, we recommend that you work through the various cases on the Cutebot Pro Wiki. These are activities students can complete which teaches them how to use the Cutebot Pro blocks to accomplish certain tasks. You can find each of the cases below. Once you click on a case it will give you a brief description of what the code is supposed to do and some tips on how to create the program.
Div. III: Cutebot Pro Remote Control
Div. III: Cutebot Pro Remote Control
A more advanced feature that students in Div. III should be aware of is that we can remotely control the Cutebot Pro. There are multiple ways to code 2 micro:bits to act as a remote control for the Cutebot Pro. This allows the user to drive the Cutebot which may be useful for certain tasks. To the right is a code that students can modify to their liking to try this out.
This is only one such way to create a remote control program for the Cutebot Pro. We encourage students to try develop their own program for this since this code might not be ideal for everyone. Div. III students may be asked to create a remote control code for one of the events in the tournament.
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