College of Science, Engineering & Technology

Community Engagement

I-SETInspired towards Science, Engineering and Technology

I-SET Robotics Coach and Mentor Training 19 May 2012

Teaching & Learning Building and Programming

Outline

• Equipment• Building basic• Programming basic and beyond• Building• Challenges (with add-ons)• Resources• Schedule & lesson plan

MOTOR

NXT BRICK

GEARS

TOUCH SENSOR

Equipment

• Robot – MindStorm (9797) & resource kit.

• Container. Recharger & download cable.

• Laptop & software.

• Paper, pens, colour pens, pencils. Chalk!

• Camera.

• Chocolates, sweets, condensed milk!

• Clock.

Building basic

• The book in the kit.

• Build first robot (good for team building!)

• Just follow instructions – carefully!

• Easy?

Programming basics

• First programming experience.

• A paradigm change …

• Make it FUN and EXCITING.

• No big deal!

• Avoid all FEARS and I CANNOT.

• BE AWARE of manipulators ….

Visual programming NXT-G

Programming MOVE and NOISE

• MOVE FOREVER

• MOVE TWO ROTATIONS STOP

• MOVE THREE ROTATIONS NOISE MOVE

• Forward, backward, stop, different sounds!

CHALLENGE

• Attach a pen to the robot.

• Program robot to draw the first letter of your name.

• Program the robot to make a noise when you are done.

BUILDING

Specific purpose building

• Specific purpose robot attachments.

• Passive – push (bumper, plough, box), hook (fish), dump, collect.

• Power – grab, lift (lever, forklift), pull.

• Gears disguised.

• Movement options – wheels, legs.

Building

• Purpose of specific challenge.

• CHANGE and consider effect.

• Explain concept (in own words).

Building concepts

• Centre of gravity.

• Robot robustness.

• Stress.

• Alternatives and options.

• What if ….

Building ideas

• Simple shapes and structures.

• Ways to attach NXT motors.

• Front end setups - 15 minute project.

• Grippers, and Gears.

• Building creativity – Out the box.

PROGRAMMING

• Teach concept and logic.

• Show the implementation.

• Set the challenge.

• Input, process and output.

Robot Educator

SEQUENCE OF CONCEPTS

• MOVE (and all the alternatives)

• NOISE (just for fun)

• SENSORS – light, colour, ultrasonic, touch, sound (input values and calibrate)

• LOOPING

• SWITCH (decision linked to sensors)

• CODE BLOCKS (important)

Challenge options

• Download an existing program with building plans.

• Learn to interpret code.

• Modify code and see what happens.

Challenges - examples

RESOURCES

• Internet – Google, YouTube

• Books

• FLL website and Twitter (NB competition details)

• Coaching SUPPORT

• I-SET

Internet – Google, YouTube

• Lesson plans.

• Programs and building instructions.

• Robotic design

• NXT tutorials

• YouTube (‘kyk en leer’) FLL, Lego, MindStorms

Lego engineering

Lego mindstorms

YouTube MindStorms Lego

BOOKS

• Try e-books - Amazon, Kalahari.

• Technology Books (from Hands on technologies)

• Lego MindStorms NXT The Mayan adventure

• Winning Design! Lego Mindstorms NXT

FLL Website and Twitter

Coaching Support (**cost)

• TUT student engineers – 2-6 July 2012 holidays**.

• JEFA - representative **.

• Engenius toys – consulting **.

• Hands on Technology – consulting **.

I-SET

• I-Set Website for contact details

• Twitter @ISETLego

• FaceBook I-Set

• Virtual learning environment (under construction) for team collaboration and coach support (July 2012)

YEAR SCHEDULE

LESSON PLAN (minimum 2 hours)

• Must be a break and time limits.

• Vary instruction. Challenge activities.

• Ideally <=5 learners/kit. Initially explore groupings, roles, participation.

• Groups*** with ‘leader’.

• Assessment? Register? Handouts?

Lesson Part A

Lesson Part B

p.s.

• It must be fun.

• The kids do all their building and all their programming!!!

• The coach does not need to know everything – just be there!

Chinese proverb found by a robotics kid

• Tell me, and I may forget …

• Show me, and I may remember …

• Involve me, and I will understand.

Thank You