Introduction to Robotics

Course Information

Course Description:

Parallax Robotics ™ is a high school level course appropriate for 9^th – 12^th grade students who are interested in electronics, robotics, and programming. The Parallax Robotics ™ course is designed to build essential STEM related knowledge while building essential 21^st century skills such as critical-thinking, collaboration, innovation, communication, self-management, design-thinking, and perseverance.

Parallax Robotics ™ relies heavily on students building their technical literacy by collaboratively constructing understanding of Parallax ™ technical manuals while using critical-thinking skills to design robots in innovative ways; being able to demonstrate their understanding both orally and in writing through reflection on their design and revision process.

This course will rely on resources at http://learn.parallax.com/, the Parallax ™ Boe-Bot, Microcontroller (WAM), and Smart Sensors in order to create a classroom culture of inquiry and applied problem-solving with opportunities to extend to real-world applications with project-based learning (PBL).

Course Objectives:

1. Create, maintain, and work in a safe laboratory environment.

2. Build, design, and program circuits and robots.

3. Have a classroom culture of collaboration, self-management, design-thinking, innovation, problem-solving, and perseverance.

4. Use reflection and revision to communicate understanding of technical writing.

5. Approach tasks and problems with a mind of inquiry and accomplishment.

6. Look for innovative ways to apply learning to real-world problems through a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach.

Class Policies:

1. Attendance: Attendance is required in accordance with school policy.

2. Work Ethic: Be prepared to work every class, all class long.

3. Pay Attention: Though much of the class is hands-on, there will be times that the instructor will need to explain or demonstrate. Pay attention for the safety of yourself and those around you.

4. Food or drink: Not allowed. Water is a drink.

5. Electronic Devices: Use of electronic devices must be in accordance with school policy.

6. Computer Use: Computer use, including online access, must follow school policy for computer and internet use.

7. Grading: It will be your responsibility to demonstrate understanding of technical materials, application of course knowledge and skills, as well as critical-thinking, design thinking, collaboration, self-management, and innovation through inquiry, solving problems, and applying learning to real-world applications.

8. Policies and Procedures: It is required that you follow all policies and procedures at all times.

Course Topics:

● Software and hardware setup (download Boe-Bot pdf)

● Building, testing, and programming LED circuits (download WAM pdf)

● Building, testing, and programming Servo Motors (Boe-Bot Ch.2, WAM Ch.4, and Servo on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Assembling the Boe-Bot robot (Boe-Bot Ch.3)

● Frequency and sound with the Piezospeaker (Boe-Bot Ch.3, WAM Ch.8, and Piezo on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Maneuvers, Subroutines, and EEPROM (Boe-Bot Ch.4, WAM Ch.7, Maneuvers on Learn.Parallax.com, & EEPROM on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Digital input with pushbuttons (WAM Ch.3 and Pushbutton on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Making decisions from tactile input (Boe-Bot Ch.5 and Whiskers on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Using a dial (potentiometer) to vary input (WAM Ch.5 and Potentiometer on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Navigating and measuring distance with IR (Boe-Bot Ch. 7 & 8 and IR on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Ohm’s Law (Boe-Bot Ch.6, WAM Ch.7, and Ohm’s Law on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Measure light with phototransistor & making navigation decisions (Boe-Bot Ch. 6, WAM Ch.7, & Phototransistor on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Connecting and programming the Parallax™ Serial LCD Display (LCD on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Using the Parallax™ Ping))) Ultrasonic Sensor to measure distance (Ping on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Using the Parallax™ Tilt Sensor to detect direction (Tilt on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Using the Parallax™ Xbee to remotely control your robot (Xbee on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Measuring tilt and rotational movement with the Parallax™ Memsic Accelerometer (Memsic on Learn.Parallax.com)

● Advanced IR sensing with the Parallax™ QTI (QTI on Learn.Parallax.com)