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

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Lego Mindstorms Components

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Program Brick

Legos

Robot Base

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Sensors

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Touch Sensor Light Sensor Sound Sensor

Ultrasonic Sensor

Compass Sensor

Accelerometer Sensor RF ID Sensor

Servo Motor

Brick Information

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NXT Intelligent Brick

• Connections for Motors • Connections for Sensors • Download files to the brick • Requires either AA batteries or rechargable Li battery

Programming

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Programming

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• Each block can be modified to meet your needs • This is for the “Move” block (controls a motor)

• After completing a program download it

Curve Turn

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• Remember this is only one type of turn

Point Turn

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Follow a line

• Light Sensor

• Calibrate for the room

– Tools

• Calibrate

• Min. Value

• Max. Value

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Follow a Line

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Follow a Line

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Insert a Loop

Pick a switch and light sensor

Format sensor

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

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