LEGO MINSTORMS RoboticsLEGO MINSTORMS RoboticsPEI Teachers In-ServicePEI Teachers In-Service

Friday, July 6, 2007Friday, July 6, 2007

Intros, Objectives, AgendaIntros, Objectives, Agenda

Muriel Stirling – Spectrum Ed. SuppliesMuriel Stirling – Spectrum Ed. SuppliesDanny Silver – Acadia UniversityDanny Silver – Acadia University

Round table – name, something about Round table – name, something about yourself, personal objectives for today yourself, personal objectives for today

Review agendaReview agenda

AgendaAgenda Morning:Morning:

Intros, Objectives, AgendaIntros, Objectives, Agenda Motivation for Robotics in SchoolsMotivation for Robotics in Schools Overview of Components, Human resources, KnowledgeOverview of Components, Human resources, Knowledge Let’s Build a RobotLet’s Build a Robot * BREAK (10:40)* BREAK (10:40) Let’s test out the RobotLet’s test out the Robot RPC and FLL CompetitionsRPC and FLL Competitions

LUNCH LUNCH (12:00-1:30)(12:00-1:30) Afternoon:Afternoon:

Intro to NXT ProgrammingIntro to NXT Programming Let’s Program a RobotLet’s Program a Robot Integration of Robotics into SchoolsIntegration of Robotics into Schools * BREAK (2:40) * BREAK (2:40) More Advanced ProgrammingMore Advanced Programming DiscussionDiscussion Wrap-up (4:00)Wrap-up (4:00)

Motivation for RoboticsMotivation for Robotics

Motivation for RoboticsMotivation for Robotics

What are your students perceptions of What are your students perceptions of computer, communications, and computer, communications, and engineering technology?engineering technology? Would they rather use or build it?Would they rather use or build it? Do they see careers?Do they see careers? What are their interest levels?What are their interest levels? Do they feel prepared?Do they feel prepared? What is hard about IT?What is hard about IT? Do they see business opportunities?Do they see business opportunities?

Probable majors indicated by first year Probable majors indicated by first year university studentsuniversity students

(Source: Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles).(Source: Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles).

Portion of Bachelour’s degrees Portion of Bachelour’s degrees granted to womengranted to women

(Source: Nation Science Foundation, USA -1999 not reported) (Source: Nation Science Foundation, USA -1999 not reported)

IT Jobs are Again on the RiseIT Jobs are Again on the Rise

IT Jobs are Again on the RiseIT Jobs are Again on the Rise

CNN – Feb 23/06:CNN – Feb 23/06: 3.5 million IT jobs in US, above 2000 levels3.5 million IT jobs in US, above 2000 levels US job loss to off-shoring outpaced by growth in:US job loss to off-shoring outpaced by growth in:

Research, product designResearch, product designSoftware architecture and engineeringSoftware architecture and engineeringProject managementProject managementIT consultingIT consulting

Misconception of CS by public biggest threatMisconception of CS by public biggest threat

IT Jobs are Again on the RiseIT Jobs are Again on the Rise

664584 597

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2001 2004 2005

Thousands of IT Jobs

• 13,000 new jobs created in 200513,000 new jobs created in 2005 [Stats Canada][Stats Canada]

The DisconnectThe Disconnect

Job OpportunitiesKnowledgeable Workers

Off-Shoring: Self-fulfilling ProphecyOff-Shoring: Self-fulfilling Prophecy

The Prophecy – “Don’t go into technology, The Prophecy – “Don’t go into technology, the work is all going off-shore. There will the work is all going off-shore. There will be no jobs.”be no jobs.”

The Truth – There is lots of work in IT in The Truth – There is lots of work in IT in Atlantic Canada; the major companies Atlantic Canada; the major companies cannot find enough qualified peoplecannot find enough qualified people

The fulfillment – If there are no trained and The fulfillment – If there are no trained and knowledgeable workers, then companies knowledgeable workers, then companies will go elsewherewill go elsewhere

Robotics Goals and MotivationRobotics Goals and Motivation

To build interest and excitement in information To build interest and excitement in information technology and sciencetechnology and science

To encourage kids to create hardware and To encourage kids to create hardware and software solutionssoftware solutions

To show why math is importantTo show why math is important To create builders of technology and not just To create builders of technology and not just

usersusers Learn how to work in teamsLearn how to work in teams Ensure they are having fun while learning!Ensure they are having fun while learning!

Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRSTDean Kamen, Founder of FIRST

VisionVision““To create a world where science and To create a world where science and technology are celebrated... where young technology are celebrated... where young people dream of becoming science and people dream of becoming science and technology heroes”technology heroes”

ZOOMZOOM Kids compete in FLL !! Kids compete in FLL !!

For theInspiration andRecognition ofScience andTechnology

LEGO MINDSTORMS RoboticsLEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics

For more information see the Lego For more information see the Lego MINDSTORMS RCX website, NXT websiteMINDSTORMS RCX website, NXT website

LEGO RCXLEGO NXT

Overview of LEGO MINDSTORMS NXTOverview of LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT

LEGO MINDSTORMS websiteLEGO MINDSTORMS website

Overview of H/W ComponentsOverview of H/W Components

Hardware componentsHardware componentsBrick – cpu, memory, power supply, chargerBrick – cpu, memory, power supply, chargerTelecomm – USB, BluetoothTelecomm – USB, Bluetooth Input – 4 input ports, touch, light, sound, Input – 4 input ports, touch, light, sound,

ultrasonic, motor, also colour, compassultrasonic, motor, also colour, compassOutput – 3 output ports, display, speaker, Output – 3 output ports, display, speaker,

motor, lightmotor, lightA A nice resource nice resource found on the web found on the web

Overview of S/W ComponentsOverview of S/W Components

NXT Operating System NXT Operating System Human-Brick InterfaceHuman-Brick Interface

NXT Software Development EnvironmentNXT Software Development EnvironmentLEGO MINDSTORMS LEGO MINDSTORMS EduEdu NXT NXT LEGO Robotics Engineering Vol. 1LEGO Robotics Engineering Vol. 1More on this laterMore on this later

Overview of Human Resources and Overview of Human Resources and Required KnowledgeRequired Knowledge

Human Resources and KnowledgeHuman Resources and Knowledge Installation: Installation:

Basic Workstation and LAN s/w installation backgroundBasic Workstation and LAN s/w installation background Resources available on web - LEGO and FLL sitesResources available on web - LEGO and FLL sites

Teaching:Teaching: Basic human-computer interface skillsBasic human-computer interface skills Methodical approach, logical mind Methodical approach, logical mind No prior programming skills requiredNo prior programming skills required Programming with NXT GUI Programming with NXT GUI Patients; Sense of humorPatients; Sense of humor

Training material:Training material: Included SDE tutorialsIncluded SDE tutorials LEGO Robot Engineering Vol. 1 and 2 CDsLEGO Robot Engineering Vol. 1 and 2 CDs LEGO and FLL sites; numerous other forumsLEGO and FLL sites; numerous other forums

Let’s Build a RobotLet’s Build a Robot

Build the Educational TriBot … Build the Educational TriBot …

Test individual components …Test individual components …Turn on NXTTurn on NXTFrom “My Files” press right button 5 times to From “My Files” press right button 5 times to

get “Try Me”get “Try Me”Try the Touch, Light, Sound, Ultrasonic, Motor Try the Touch, Light, Sound, Ultrasonic, Motor

sensorssensors

Take a BREAK !Take a BREAK !

Complete Robot BuildComplete Robot Build

Build the Educational TriBot …Build the Educational TriBot …

Test individual components …Test individual components …Turn on NXTTurn on NXTFrom “My Files” press right button 5 times to From “My Files” press right button 5 times to

get “Try Me”get “Try Me”Try the Touch, Light, Sound, Ultrasonic, Motor Try the Touch, Light, Sound, Ultrasonic, Motor

sensorssensors

Acadia University Acadia University Robot Programming Competition (RPC)Robot Programming Competition (RPC)FIRST LEGO League Tournament (FLL)FIRST LEGO League Tournament (FLL)

Saturday, November 25, 2006Saturday, November 25, 2006

LUNCH !LUNCH !

Intro to NXT ProgrammingIntro to NXT Programming

NXT Software Development EnvironmentNXT Software Development EnvironmentLEGO MINDSTORMS LEGO MINDSTORMS EduEdu NXT NXT Online tutorials on the webOnline tutorials on the webLEGO Robotics Engineering Vol. 1LEGO Robotics Engineering Vol. 1

Using the NXT SDE Using the NXT SDE

Intro to NXT ProgrammingIntro to NXT Programming

Programming 101 basics:Programming 101 basics:Actions - 03. Drive ForwardActions - 03. Drive ForwardLoopsLoops - 08. Drive in a square - 08. Drive in a squareFunctions - 09. My blockFunctions - 09. My blockConditional Logic 1 - 12. Detect SoundConditional Logic 1 - 12. Detect SoundConditional Logic 2 - 13. Sound ControlConditional Logic 2 - 13. Sound Control

Let’s Program a RobotLet’s Program a Robot

Challenge - program at least 3 of the Challenge - program at least 3 of the following:following:ActionsActions

01. Play Sound or 03. Drive Forward01. Play Sound or 03. Drive Forward

LoopsLoops 08. Drive in a Square08. Drive in a Square

FunctionsFunctions 09. My Block09. My Block

Conditional LogicConditional Logic 12. Detect Sound, 14. Distance, 13. Sound Control or 12. Detect Sound, 14. Distance, 13. Sound Control or

16. Dark Line16. Dark Line

Integration of Robotics into SchoolsIntegration of Robotics into Schools

Muriel StirlingMuriel Stirling

LEGO Educational WebsiteLEGO Educational Websitehttp://www.legoeducation.info/nxt/http://www.legoeducation.info/nxt/

Why Robotics?Why Robotics?

Ideal tool to teach and/or enforce the learning Ideal tool to teach and/or enforce the learning of non-academic skills: of non-academic skills: Team workTeam workCuriosity & Creativity Curiosity & Creativity Basic Life SkillsBasic Life Skills

Builds self-esteem and confidenceBuilds self-esteem and confidence

Robotics and Provincial CurriculumRobotics and Provincial Curriculum

Nunavut Nunavut Re-writing their curriculumRe-writing their curriculum

British ColumbiaBritish ColumbiaIndirectly addressed in Indirectly addressed in

Tech Ed 8 – 10Tech Ed 8 – 10Tech Ed 11 – 12: ElectronicsTech Ed 11 – 12: ElectronicsTech Ed 11 – 12: Industrial DesignTech Ed 11 – 12: Industrial Design

AlbertaAlbertaA strand in the Career and Technology Studies A strand in the Career and Technology Studies (CTS) program in Gr 11 & 12.(CTS) program in Gr 11 & 12.

Robotics and Provincial CurriculumRobotics and Provincial Curriculum

ManitobaManitobaRobotics is not an explicit, mandated provision Robotics is not an explicit, mandated provision within the curriculum.within the curriculum.

Ontario K-8Ontario K-8In the proposed Grade 8 curriculum there is a In the proposed Grade 8 curriculum there is a strand called ‘Systems at Work’ where robotic strand called ‘Systems at Work’ where robotic could be used.could be used.

Atlantic ProvincesAtlantic ProvincesPEIPEI

Robotics and the CurriculumRobotics and the Curriculum

Science (including Physic)Science (including Physic)TechnologyTechnologyEngineeringEngineeringMathMathComputer ProgrammingComputer ProgrammingLEGO Educational WebsiteLEGO Educational Website

http://www.legoeducation.info/nxt/http://www.legoeducation.info/nxt/

Robotics and the CurriculumRobotics and the Curriculum

Sarah Perkins, Computer Programming 12 Sarah Perkins, Computer Programming 12 at Avon View High School, Windsor, NSat Avon View High School, Windsor, NS

http://avhs.ednet.ns.ca/staff/perkinshttp://avhs.ednet.ns.ca/staff/perkins

More Advanced ProgrammingMore Advanced Programming

Some of the more advanced functionsSome of the more advanced functionsConditional Logic - 17. Follow LineConditional Logic - 17. Follow LineParallel Code – 10. Parking BayParallel Code – 10. Parking BayConditional Logic – 20. Hit Red BallConditional Logic – 20. Hit Red Ball

Challenge – program at least 2 of the Challenge – program at least 2 of the aboveabove

Programming AlternativesProgramming Alternatives

Other Programming Env. And LanguagesOther Programming Env. And LanguagesC - RobotC for NXTC - RobotC for NXTNot Quite C for NXT - NXCNot Quite C for NXT - NXCJava – leJOS Java – leJOS Java over Bluetooth - iCommandJava over Bluetooth - iCommand

Programming AlternativesProgramming Alternatives

DiscussionDiscussion

Novel ideas for introduction into the your Novel ideas for introduction into the your curriculum?curriculum?

Interested in participating in 2007 Interested in participating in 2007 RPC/FLL?RPC/FLL?

Next stepsNext steps

Wrap-upWrap-up

Muriel, Danny, Clayton Muriel, Danny, Clayton