Hands On Activity: Robotics in the Classroom Using Lego Mindstorms (Prepared by Connie Gomez and Virgilio Gonzalez)
Group Discussion Your concepts of robotics? Your experiences with robots? Your experiences with robotics in the classroom? What do you want get out of robotics?
Robotics and Engineering Robotics
Robotics and the Classroom Robotics
Robots and Art
Robots in History Hero of Alexandria Coin Operated Holy Water Automated Theater 1st scene: Achaeans repair their ships - hammering and sawing with sounds. 2nd scene: Achaeans push their boats into the water. 3nd scene: Ships suddenly appear in the sea. Occasionally, dolphins emerge from the sea. 4nd scene: Nauplios, standing at the foreland with a lit torch, sends a false signal to the Achaeans abetted by goddess Athena. 5th scene: We can see scattered remains of the wrecked ships and Ajax swimming in the sea. While lightning strikes and the sound of thunder is heard, Ajax' figure is lost. The stage gates open and close between scenes.
Robotics for the Classroom Lego Robotics Mindstorms kit Competition includes Build an autonomous robot to carry out pre-designed missions in 2 minutes and 30 seconds Analyze, research, and invent a solution to a real world problem http://www.firstlegoleague.org/ BEST Inc. Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology BEST features two parallel competitions: A robotics game, which is based upon an annual theme with four teams competing at once in a series of three-minute, round-robin matches. The BEST Award, which is presented to the team that best embodies the concept of Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology. Elements include a project summary notebook, oral presentation, table display, and spirit and sportsmanship. http://www.bestinc.org/mvc/ Sea Perch This program teaches students how to build an underwater robot (called a Sea Perch), how to build a propulsion system, how to develop a controller, and how to investigate weight and buoyancy. http://seaperch.mit.edu/ More kits/competitions are available
We ll use Legos Like most robotics kits Very complete Legos generally do not require cutting, soldering, or other potentially dangerous activities Cost isn t unreasonable Kit is reusable There are competitions in El Paso
The Challenge Groups have to program a robot to go from a start location to a finish location in the shortest amount of time. Rules Must stay on the playing field Robot must follow the line for as long as possible Group members may not touch the robot while in play 9
Lego Mindstorms Components Program Brick Legos 10
Robot Base 11
Sensors Touch Sensor Light Sensor Sound Sensor Ultrasonic Sensor RF ID Sensor Accelerometer Sensor Compass Sensor Servo Motor 12
Brick Information Connections for Motors Connections for Sensors Download files to the brick Requires either AA batteries or rechargable Li battery NXT Intelligent Brick 13
Programming 14
Programming Each block can be modified to meet your needs This is for the Move block (controls a motor) After completing a program download it 15
Curve Turn Remember this is only one type of turn 16
Point Turn 17
Follow a line Light Sensor Calibrate for the room Tools Calibrate Min. Value Max. Value 18
Follow a Line 19
Follow a Line Insert a Loop Pick a switch and light sensor Format sensor 20
Tips!... Find out what your sensors can do Decide which ones you might be able to use Figure out what you want your robot to do If I sense this, I ll do that. I ll keep doing something until I sense.. I ll keep doing something for.. long
Time to try out the NXT Get to know the sensors Get to know the program Ask questions along the way Use your resources Help as part of the program Lego website (explanations about the sensors and their capabilities) Absolutely no flash photography during these sessions 22