Cyber Robotics 101 Teacher's Guide
How can parameters change the way a piece of code works?
This lesson delves deeper into how the robot’s drive system works, and how it can be used to create different types of movement. Students begin with a discussion of how using different motors for each wheel allows a robot to drive forward, backward, and turn in different directions. After learning how parameters in the Drive block allow them to control the robot’s speed, they move on to moving forwards and backwards, then use a wait block to let instructions affect the robot’s movement for a specified time. Last, they learn how to access a new Drive block parameter to steer the robot using point turns/screw turns.
Explain how parameters are used to make code more powerful and flexible
Use parameters in code to change a robot’s speed and direction
Use a Wait block to control how long the robot takes an action
Explain how parameters are used to make code more powerful and flexible
In the second reflection question, ensure that students understand that parameters are used to specify particular details of a command, allowing coders to use the same code block for a wide range of commands that are generally similar but differ in small details.
Use parameters in code to change a robot’s speed and direction
Check for mission success in either of the last two missions.
Use a Wait block to control how long the robot takes an action
Check for mission success in either of the last two missions.
Slideshows: Basic Navigation I
Drive block support article
Wait For block support article
YouTube steering tutorial
Why do we need the Wait For block?
The purpose of the Wait For block is to allow the robot to continue moving as directed in the previous code block, before moving on to the next block of code. Without it, the robot would not have time, for example, to move forward before the next code block instructed it to move in a different way. The Wait For block also allows programmers to tell the robot exactly how long it should continue a particular type of movement before moving to the next one.
Why do code blocks need parameters?
Many code blocks give a general command, then use parameters for specific information on how to go about executing the command. Without parameters, programmers would need different blocks every time specific details such as power or length of time changed, which would add up to thousands of different blocks.
What other parameters might be useful for the blocks you have used so far?
Student answers will vary. Check that the parameters include useful details that will enable the command to be used more flexibly. For example, the ‘Drive’ block may have a parameter that instructs the robot to travel a particular distance.
Description
Reflection on STEM
Timing
5 minutes
Description
Let students complete Missions: 1-2
Pack: Basic Navigation I
Timing
5 minutes
Description
Go through slides 10-11
Timing
5 minutes
Description
Let students complete Missions: 3-4
Pack: Basic Navigation I
Timing
5 minutes
Description
Go through slides 12-14
Timing
5 minutes
Description
Let students complete Missions: 5-9
Pack: Basic Navigation I
Timing
15 minutes
Links/comments
Students can complete the missions at home.
This is a double session – it will require 2 hours to complete with lesson 3: Basic Navigation II.
Begin with the slideshow, taking breaks to complete the missions whenever prompted by the slides.
The missions might take longer, either assign them as homework or dedicate next session to complete these missions.
Use the provided solutions or ask students who successfully completed a mission to explain it to the class.
Suggest students to use the help widget.
Go through the additional resources such as the aforementioned YouTube steering tutorial and support article.