Curriculum: Building and Programming the KS0441 Desktop Mini Smart Car V3.0 Using Mixly

Age Group: 8-12 years

Duration: 6 weeks (1 session per week, 1.5 hours per session)

Learning Goals:

• Understand the basic concepts of robotics and electronics.

• Assemble a smart car using the KS0441 Desktop Mini Smart Car V3.0 kit.

• Program the robot using Mixly for movement and sensor interaction.

• Develop problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork skills.

Week 1: Introduction to Robotics and the KS0441 Mini Smart Car Kit

Objective: Familiarize students with the components of the KS0441 Desktop Mini Smart Car V3.0 kit.
Materials: Projector, video clips of robots, KS0441 Mini Smart Car Kit, markers, drawing paper.

Lesson Plan

1. Introduction to Robotics (15 min):

   • Discuss what robotics is, types of robots, and the applications of robots.

   • Show a video or demonstration of a mini smart car in action.

2. Exploration of Components (20 min):

   • Unbox the KS0441 Mini Smart Car Kit and explain each component (chassis, motors, wheels, sensors, controllers, etc.).

   • Have students identify each part and understand its function.

3. Creative Task (15 min):

   • Have students sketch their own mini smart car design, labeling key components.

4. Wrap-Up (5 min):

   • Discuss how understanding components helps in building and programming robots.

Key Takeaway: The first step in building any robot is understanding its components.

Week 2: Introduction to Mixly and Basic Programming

Objective: Introduce Mixly software and teach basic programming concepts.
Materials: Computers with Mixly installed, USB cables, KS0441 compatible controller.

Lesson Plan

1. Introduction to Mixly (10 min):

   • Introduce Mixly, showing how to drag and connect programming blocks to control hardware.

2. Creating Your First Program (20 min):

   • Guide students to create a simple program using Mixly to control an LED (turning it on and off).

3. Experimenting with Blocks (15 min):

   • Let students experiment with different Mixly blocks to create more complex LED patterns or actions.

4. Wrap-Up (5 min):

   • Review the basics of programming using Mixly and its simplicity for beginners.

Key Takeaway: Mixly simplifies programming by using visual blocks, making it ideal for beginners.

Week 3: Assembling the Mini Smart Car

Objective: Assemble the basic smart car using the KS0441 Desktop Mini Smart Car Kit.
Materials: KS0441 Mini Smart Car Kit, screwdrivers, motors, wheels, battery pack.

Lesson Plan

1. Safety Briefing (5 min):

   • Discuss safe handling of tools and electronic components.

2. Assembly of the Chassis (20 min):

   • Step-by-step assembly of the chassis using screws, motors, and wheels.

   • Ensure that all parts are securely connected for the robot to function.

3. Attaching the Sensors (15 min):

   • Guide students through attaching and connecting the sensors (such as obstacle sensors).

4. Testing Basic Functionality (15 min):

   • Power on the smart car and test the motors for basic movement.

5. Wrap-Up (5 min):

   • Discuss any assembly issues and troubleshooting.

Key Takeaway: Proper assembly is critical to ensure that the robot works as expected.

Week 4: Wiring and Connecting Components

Objective: Wire the motors, sensors, and controller to complete the robot's connections.
Materials: KS0441 Kit, jumper wires, sensors, battery pack.

Lesson Plan

1. Wiring Overview (10 min):

   • Explain how to wire motors, sensors, and the controller properly to ensure communication between components.

2. Hands-On Wiring (30 min):

   • Students wire the motors and sensors to the controller.

   • Walk around to ensure that the connections are secure.

3. Power and Test (15 min):

   • Power on the robot and test whether the motors and sensors are working correctly.

4. Wrap-Up (5 min):

   • Discuss how wiring affects the performance of the robot.

Key Takeaway: Correct wiring is essential for proper operation of the robot.

Week 5: Programming Movement and Obstacle Avoidance

Objective: Program the mini smart car to move and avoid obstacles using Mixly.
Materials: Computers with Mixly installed, robot with sensors, USB cables.

Lesson Plan

1. Programming Movement (15 min):

   • Introduce the movement blocks (e.g., move forward, backward, turn) in Mixly.

2. Programming Obstacle Avoidance (20 min):

   • Guide students in programming their smart car to move forward and turn when it detects obstacles.

3. Sensor Integration (15 min):

   • Explain how sensors work to detect obstacles.

   • Help students program the car to stop or change direction when an obstacle is detected.

4. Wrap-Up (5 min):

   • Discuss the importance of sensors in making the robot more autonomous.

Key Takeaway: Programming movement and sensor responses allows the robot to interact with its environment.

Week 6: Final Testing and Obstacle Course Challenge

Objective: Test the robot in a real-world scenario by navigating an obstacle course.
Materials: Obstacle course materials (blocks, ramps), timer, certificates.

Lesson Plan

1. Obstacle Course Setup (10 min):

   • Set up a simple obstacle course with ramps and blocks to challenge the students' robots.

2. Robot Testing (30 min):

   • Students will navigate their robots through the obstacle course. Time each robot’s performance to encourage competition.

3. Robot Presentation (10 min):

   • Each student will present their robot, explaining the design and the programming steps they used.

4. Wrap-Up and Awards (10 min):

   • Discuss what worked well, challenges faced, and what could be improved.

   • Award certificates for participation, innovation, and teamwork.

Key Takeaway: Testing robots in obstacle courses helps identify improvements and builds confidence in programming.