Robotics 1

Syllabus

This course aligns with the following college and career cluster:  STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Students will be given the opportunity to learn about the following areas of Robotics:

• Shop Safety

• Team dynamics | Communication

• Engineering design & analysis

• Career investigations in robotics and various fields within engineering

• Power Distribution

• Energy Transformation

• Weight Distribution

• Simple Machines

• Written Presentations, Electronic Presentations

• Robotics Systems

• Structural Integrity

Success in Robotics

Participation in demonstrations, hands-on activities, and discussions will be essential to your success in this class.  Students will be given opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in classroom activities and demonstrations.

If you are afraid of failure, you will never allow yourself to be creative.  

Be willing to seek out knowledge and information.

Textbooks / Class Library

There are no assigned textbooks for this course, however, assignments may require that students research and report on assigned reading from books, handouts, and/or periodicals. There is no class library.

Materials  

• IPAD

• Inquisitive Mind for solving problems

• Engineering journal (may be digital)  for recording observations and note taking

• Ear Buds - wired with 1/8" standard plug

• Pen or pencil

• USB thumb drive (so you can copy backups of your work for access at home, computer dies, or your partner is absent and you do not have access to their work)

Grading

Nine-weeks grade is weighted as follows:

• Daily Active Participation (This may include journal entries, participation, and team and self-evaluations) - 50%

• Major Assignments (This may include tests, competitions, and projects) - 50%

Each assignment completed will be given a grade from 50-100.

          0 points ……………… No assignment completion

          50 points..................... Completion of the assignment

          up to...20 points......... How much effort was put into the assignment

          up to...20 points......... Creativity and technical expertise

          up to...10 points.......... Following instructions

Students will be given a weekly grade based on daily classroom/performance grade checks of student progress and effort.  Each negative daily performance check is a minus 10 pts. (i.e. A student who received no negative daily performance checks would get a 100 for the weekly grade. A student who had three performance checks would get a 70 for the weekly grade).

Students will record observations and notes in an Engineering Journal / Google Slide Reflection Journal.  It should be updated on a daily basis.

Absent/Missed Work Policy

All assignments will be listed on Google Classroom for the student to obtain. This allows the student to retrieve assignments before class or while they are absent if they wish to get an early start. Please email me if you have questions about absent work. It is your responsibility to contact me.

Late Work Policy

It is expected that students will turn in work on the due date. You will receive a 0 in the grade book until that assignment is turned in. You will not receive full credit for the assignment if you turn it in late. You will receive full credit if you were absent. The penalty for late work is 10 points per day.

Tardy Policy

Students are marked tardy within the first 15 minutes of the bell. Students will be marked absent 15 minutes after the bell. 

Getting Help

Sometimes you may get stuck while working on an assignment for this class - please ask for help! I will also encourage you to ask your classmates for clarification. I do this because I want you to find multiple ways to get clarification. Before school work-time and tutoring is available upon request. 

Cell Phone Use

Cell phones, smart watches and ipods must be turned off and stored in student backpacks during the school day.  This is now the law in the State of Texas.

Collaboration

Many assignments will be done with partners or small groups. I encourage you to talk to your classmates, parents, or to me about how you are approaching a problem but ultimately the work you turn in must be original to you and your group. 

Conferences

I am available for conferences before or after school upon appointment. Parents and students with concerns or questions over the course and expectations are encouraged to contact me with your concerns.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic Dishonesty, or cheating, violates the honor code. Consequences for academic dishonesty include a zero for the assignment without an opportunity to make it up. The office and your parents will be notified and there may be additional consequences. I will use a software system to compare your assignment against all the assignments submitted this year as well as the assignments submitted in previous years.

Academic Dishonesty, or cheating, includes but is not limited to:

• Falsifying someone else’s work as your own.

• Looking at another person’s quiz or test.

• Using unapproved resources.

Even if you get away with cheating - which if you are any good most of the time you will - there is at least one person that will always know you cheated. You.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

When using AI tools, protect your identity and personal information. AI tools may save what you type, even if it seems private.

Protect your privacy: Never share personal details like your full name, ID number, address, or photos when using AI tools, stick to school-related content only.

Use district-approved tools: Only use AI apps your teacher allows, and ask if you're unsure what you type could be saved or shared.

Currently, Magic School AI is the only District Approved AI platform

Questions to ask before using AI:

• Am I allowed to use AI for this assignment?

• How will this help me understand better, not just finish faster?

• Did I give credit to the AI tool I used?

• Can I explain what I learned, even without the AI?

Class Calendar

Required Materials/Class Supplies

• iPad (Charged)

• Open mind & imagination, ready to engage in problem-solving

• Composition notebook / electronic journal to record notes & observations

• Ear buds - wired with 1/8" standard plug

• Pen / pencil

• USB Thumb Drive (to save programs for universal access)