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Lego NXT MindstormsLego NXT MindstormsRobotics
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Robotics Introduction What is a Robot?
What are examples of a robot?What can robots do?What can’t robots do?How are robots used in our daily
lives?
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Definition of a Robot
What is a Robot?A robot is a device that is built to independently perform actions and interact with its surroundings.
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Watch Video Clips After watching the video clips…
Which of the clips showed actual “robots?”
Explain the difference between a robot and a remote controlled machine/toy
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Day 2 - Reflection How are robots used in our daily
lives?
What is possible with a Robot?
What are some unexpected Robots?
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Day 2 - AgendaReflection discussion
Finish building Tri-Bot
Label cables
Come up with a team and bot name and make poster for team
Watch video clips
Introduce basic programming
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Day 3 - ReflectionIn what ways do robots need to
interact with their surroundings?
Give specific examples of a robot and the type of movement or sensors it will need.
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Movement Define Types of movement:
Locomotion – The ability to move from place to place (move from place to place)
Localization – To perform functions in a specific area (turn head)
Manipulation – To touch or move by mechanical means (move other things around)
Cooperation - To work together (two motors working together for movement)
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Day 3 - AgendaReflection discussion
Definitions of types of movement
Watch “Robo Cup Dog Soccer” identify each type of movement
Inventory of pieces
Review Programming
Begin programming with sound blocks
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Day 4 - ReflectionWhy is it important to be specific
when giving directions?
Write down the step by step directions of how to fold a paper airplane.
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What do we need the robot to do?
Moving: The robot must be able to control some set of actuators to move how and when we want it to. We must be able to reliably place the robot anywhere we want.
Sensing: The robot must be able to perceive its environment through sensors locate obstacles to avoid, and objects of interest that we want it to interact with.
Plan/Act: The robot must be able to make decisions using its processor based on it’s sensors and feed them to it’s actuators to be able to move.
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What is a sensor? Takes readings from physical
environment and turns it into an electrical message/signal
Sensors we will work with: Touch- hit something and it reactLight- can sort by color or detect light
from dark Sonar/ultrasonic- tells how far away
things are Sound- tells how loud something is
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What is a processor?It is the logic circuitry that responds to and
processes the basic instructions that drive a computer.
A computer needs to be able to: Receive inputs from the sensors, and convert the
sensor readings into perceptions Make decisions based on it’s perceptions Use these decisions to change its environment (or
move itself in the environment) using its actuators. Each of the above three things is programmed by
the user using a programming language. Takes readings from physical environment and
turns it into an electrical message/signal Touch- hit something and it react
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What is a processor?A computer needs to be able to…:
Each of the previous three things is programmed by the user using a programming language.
Takes readings from physical environment and turns it into an electrical message/signal Touch- hit something and it react
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What is an actuator?Takes electrical message and turns
it into a physical action. For example:Electric motors receive electricity which
makes their axles turn. These can be connected to wheels, which can make the robot move
Pumps receive electricity which makes them compress liquid through tubes which can make a robotic arm move around. This arm can push, pull, and lift things in the world.
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Day 4 - AgendaFinish Inventory
Begin programming with sound blocks
Discussion/Reflection
Giving clear directions – Paper Airplane
Definitions of types of processes
Review movement programming
Begin programming basic movement
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Day 5 - ReflectionWrite directions for your
teammates to move through a maze within the classroom
Take turns testing each other's directions and see which teammate can write the clearest directions.
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Day 5 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Writing directions – Move through a maze
Writing directions – Dance moves
Begin programming for Dance Competition
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Day 6 - ReflectionWhat have you learned about the
following things:What is a robot (in your own words)Building a robotProgramming a robotWhat parts do robots need?
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Day 6 – Group ActivityWatch Search & Rescue Video Clip
What do the robots need to be able to perform these functions?
Write directions for your teammates to perform a search and rescue mission of a treasure of your choice. Include sensors and loops:Use “until”Use touch sensors
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Day 6 – InstructionUnderstand loops exit with an
“until” statement
Understand programming of the touch sensor
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Day 6 – Challenge/BuildAttach a touch sensor to your Bot
(pgs 49-53 in large book)
Program the touch sensorWrite a program for ‘Bump and Run’
using the ‘Loop’ block, where robots must run down a corridor, bump into a wall, and return to the start.
Bump & Run Races Have groups which complete this extend the program by
putting a ‘Forever’ loop around the previous program to make the robot continuously go back and forth between two walls.
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Day 6 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Watch Search & Rescue Video Clip
Understanding Programming – Touch Sensor & Loops
Writing directions – Search & Rescue
Writing directions – Bump & Run
Begin programming for Bump & Run Races
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Day 7 - ReflectionWhat did you have to
change/modify to get your Bot to be able to do the “Bump & Run” Challenge?Change designChange ProgramAdd stabilizers
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Day 7 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Finish - Bump and Run – Race
Program - Bump, Turn, Continuous
Writing directions – Maze
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Day 8 - ReflectionWithin the police department what
kind of robots or remote controlled machines do you think they would need?
How would they be used?
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Day 8 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Police Demonstration
Create Maze
Writing directions – Maze
Program Bot to complete maze
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Day 9 – Ultra Sonic Sensor
Ultra Sonic sensor sends out a high frequency chirp from one circle and the sound wave bounces off an object and returns to the microphone in the other circle.
Because sound travels at a constant speed ~1,125 ft/s the processor can calculate the distance the sensor is from an object and respond based on the programming.
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Day 9 – Ultra Sonic Sensor
In what situations might an Ultra Sonic sensor fail?Far awayAngleAbsorbencyMultiple surfacesMultiple signals
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Day 9 – Writing a Program
In your journal write out the program directions for your Bot to make it through the maze using the touch sensor, the ultra sonic sensor and loops.
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Day 9 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Ultra Sonic Sensor
Writing directions – Maze
Program Bot to complete maze using touch and ultra sonic sensors and loops.
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Day 10 – ReflectionWhat problems did you have
calibrating or working with the Ultra Sonic Sensor?
In your journal re-write your program directions for going through the maze following the example on the board.
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Day 10 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Ultra Sonic Sensor
Re-writing directions – Maze
Program Bot to complete maze using touch and ultra sonic sensors and loops.
For the groups that finish – Add grabber Arms to your Bot.
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Day 11 – ReflectionWhat has your team done well?
What does your team need to work on?
In what ways have you personally contributed to helping your team be successful?
What do you do that might get in the way of your team working together successfully?
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Day 11 – ReflectionWhat goals do you have for the
remainder of the program?
What will you do to work better as a team?
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Day 11 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Time Trials – Maze
Adding Grabber Arms & Light/Dark Sensor
Program Bot to follow a line and grab ball at the end of the line, turn right 90 degrees and drop the ball.
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Day 12 – ReflectionIn what ways can a robot provide
companionship?
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Day 12 – ReflectionRead Time For Kids Article
What did you find interesting about the article?
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Day 12 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Time Trials – Maze
Adding Grabber Arms & Light/Dark Sensor
Program Bot to follow a line and grab ball at the end of the line, turn right 90 degrees and drop the ball.
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Day 13 – ReflectionWhat have you learned so far about
robots and programming?
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Day 13 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Finish Time Trials – Maze
Adding Grabber Arms & Light/Dark Sensor
Program Bot to follow a line and grab ball at the end of the line, turn right 90 degrees and drop the ball.
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Day 14 – ReflectionWhat cool things do you think you
could create with your LEGO NXT kit?
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Day 14 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Plan for Final Projects
Adding Grabber Arms & Light/Dark Sensor
Program Bot to follow a line and grab ball at the end of the line, turn right 90 degrees and drop the ball.
Go through maze, grab toy, turn around and return to start
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Day 15 – ReflectionWhat types of projects did you find
or are you interested in building for the final project?
Parent Invitation to Robotics Showcase Thursday, July 23rd @ 9:30
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Day 15 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Plan for Final Projects
Time Trails for “Line Follow” and grab ball at the end of the line, turn right 90 degrees and drop the ball.
Go through maze, grab toy, turn around and return to start
Begin working on Final Project
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Day 16 – ReflectionWhat would you like a robot to do
for you around the house?
Parent Invitation to Robotics Showcase Thursday, July 23rd @ 9:30
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Day 16 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Plan for Final Projects
Begin working on Final Project
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Day 17 – ReflectionShould Robots look like humans or
should they look like machines?
Why does it matter?
Read “Why, Robots?”
What did you find interesting about the article?
Parent Invitation to Robotics Showcase Thursday, July 23rd @ 9:30 AM
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Day 17 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Plan for Final Projects
Begin working on Final Project
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Day 18 – ReflectionWhat is your Final Project designed
to do?
How can you prove it is a Robot and not a remote controlled machine?
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Day 18 – ReflectionWhat have you learned about
robots and programming?
What has been the biggest challenge for you?
What has been the biggest challenge for your group?
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Day 18 – Showcase
Welcome ParentsRobotics Showcase Thursday, July 23rd @ 9:30 AM
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Day 18 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Present Final Projects
Explain learning to parents
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Day 19 – Reflection
Robotics Final Write Up
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Day 19 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Inventory
Watch Robotics Video Clips