Robotics

Welcome to everything robotics! This is how I run my robotics options. This is information for other teachers and lessons for my students to follow. You can build a testing mat out of foam board or thick paper, white duct tape, and colored electrical tape. Cloth hockey tape is even better.

1. Robotics Introduction

Watch the movies , discuss uses of robots (factories, military, medical, space exploration, safety, recreational and more), go over expectations and goals.

2. Sorting

Photo copy the cardboard mats inside your box and shrink them down. Laminate if you want and let the kids use them to help sort. They can check off items they have and circle those that are missing.

Have a toolbox with many small compartments to put any extra pieces in

I sort on the first day and the last day to make sure everything is there and so students are more familiar with the robot.

3. The basics

Build the EV3 driving base with ultrasonic sensor, light sensor down, and putting the touch sensor on the back. (instructions come in a booklet with the robot and are in the software as well).

Do one step at a time with separate programs before moving on to the advanced challenges.

They need to see each step on it's own. Show them how and let them play.

Make the robot:

• move forward

• move forward faster

• move forward slower

• move forward with an infinite loop

• back up

• forward and turn R

• forward and turn L

• backward and turn R

• backward and turn L

• Using the switch loop:

  • react to black (turn right and slow down)

  • react to red, then green, then yellow, then blue (all separately. Reaction can be turning, light, display change or sound)

  • react to a solid object (ultra sonic sensor) - stop, back up slowly, turn R

  • react to touch sensor (stop, move forward slowly and turn left)

3. Robotics Challenges (this is where they are graded)

Once they can do all of the above individually I show them how to use the giant loop and insert all the programs together.

Make a robot that can (# 3 may be separate programs)

1. Move about the mat and stay within the black line (colour sensor)

2. React to 2 different colours in one way(colour sensor)

3. React to a solid object (ultrasonic sensor)

4. React to touch sensor on the back (like a bumper car - make it go forward and turn)

Intermediate (# 3 may be separate program)

1. Move about the mat and stay within the black line OR follow the black line (colour sensor)

2. React to all 4 colours with one reaction (colour sensor)

3. React to a solid object (ultrasonic sensor)

4. React to touch sensor on the back (like a bumper car - make it go forward and turn)

Advanced - be able to do BOTH challenges with the same program

1. Move about the mat and stay within the black line OR follow the black line (colour sensor)

2. React to all 4 colours with 2 or more reactions (colour sensor)

3. React to a solid object (ultrasonic sensor)

4. React to touch sensor on the back (like a bumper car - make it go forward and turn)

5. Have your robot do something unique you program it to do (dance, add sounds, etc)

4. Advanced challenges

I let them build something fun from the basic kit or the expansion set.

Or try one of these:

https://sites.google.com/site/gask3t/lego-ev3/my-projects

http://resources21.org/cl/contextual.asp?projectnumber=493.6475