LEGO WeDo Introduction

Module E

LEGO WeDo Introduction

• In this module you will learn about – robotics in everyday use– how you can use WeDo’s to facilitate positive

youth development. – the WeDo kit and components, – the WeDo Activity Pack (LEGO curriculum)

• Gain hands-on experience with a WeDo kit.• Resources

Everyday Robots

Everyday Robots

• What is a robot?

Everyday Robots

• What is a robot?• Definition of ROBOT per Merriam-Webster

Dictionary– 1 : a machine that looks like a human being and

performs various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being

– 2: a device that automatically performs complicated often repetitive tasks

– 3: a mechanism guided by automatic controls

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robot

Everyday Robots

1. What role do robots play in our daily lives?2. What is a career field where people work with

robots?3. What is your favorite fictional robot?

Everyday Robots

• Examples of Robots in Use Everyday– Military Robots– Unmanned Vehicles: Aircraft for

Surveillance – Industrial: Car Manufacturing

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Market_For_Military_Robots_By_2016_999.html

http://www.tirekick.com/TK07/VW-Puebla.htm

Everyday Robots

• Examples of Robots in Use Everyday– Space Exploration – Mars Rover– Medical Robotics: da Vinci

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html

http://www.davincisurgery.com/davinci-surgery/davinci-surgical-system/

Everyday Robots

• Examples of Robots in Use Everyday– Toys: Zhu Zhu Pets –

Robotic Hamster– Household Robots:

Roomba Vacuum

http://store.irobot.com/product/main_irbtEnhan.jsp?productId=4447146

http://www.zhu-zhu-pets.com/

Everyday Robots

• Robots are a part of everyday life.• Components of robotics such as sensors are in

many devices we use daily. – Ex: motion sensors are used to open automatic

doors.• Used by most people daily to offer

convenience and security.

Step 4: The WeDo Introduction

What is a WeDo?

• WeDo is a LEGO product that allows elementary aged youth to build robots using LEGO pieces.

• Robots are connected to a computer and programmed to perform specific functions using the WeDo software.

• Each individual kit has plans for 12 different LEGO robots.•More building resources

are available through LEGO.

What Do WeDo Robots Look Like?

Amazing Mechanisms

Wild Animals

Play Soccer Adventure Stories

Great introduction to icon programming with friendly step-by-step directions on the screen. Task pallet

WeDo Programming Software

Step 5: The WeDo Kit, Building Guides and the Alligator Build

Inside the WeDo Kit

http://www.legoeducation.us/ImagePopup.aspx?reftype=1&refid=1573&defimg=9539&pop=1&referer=http%3A//www.legoeducation.us/store/detail.aspx%3FID%3D1573%26c%3D0%26t%3D0%26l%3D0#undefined

Inside the WeDo Kit• LEGO Bricks

This image is a scan of the card board insert provided in each kit.

Inside the WeDo Kit• Each kit contains a

Mini Figure with interchangeable heads and hat/hair

• Three different sized axles

• Various gears and other components

This image is a scan of the card board insert provided in each kit.

Inside the WeDo Kit• Sensors– Light Sensor

– Tilt Sensor

• Motor

• USB HubThese images are a scan of the card board insert provided in each kit.

The Building Guides

• Makes the construction process straightforward

• Full color pictorial guide• Similar to most LEGO

build kit instructions• Very user friendly

The Building Guides

• Amazing Mechanisms• Wild Animals• Play Soccer• Adventure Stories

Building the Alligator

Diagram of completed

step

Identified pieces use

to complete step

Large white number

indicating each step

Building the Alligator

The Finished Alligator

The Check List• Is the gear is facing the correct direction?• Are rubber bands connected securely?• Is the motion sensor lined correctly?• Does the mouth open and close? Test Gear.• Are sensors securely attached to the USB Hub?• Are all LEGO bricks attached securely?• Look over entire build and make sure it is identical

to the guide.

Step 6: The WeDo Activity Pack

• Curriculum• Add-on Software• Provides step-by-step on-

screen instructions in building and programming

• Classroom type activities and handout materials are provided for each build

Review the Activity Pack

• Page 80 – Objectives• Page 81 – Animated Movie and Discussion

Questions• Page 82 – Construct, overview of mechanisms

and process• Page 83 – Basic Functions of software• Page 84-86 – Lesson Plan

Step 7: Programming with the WeDo Software

• Demonstration Video (add link)• Alligator Build – stop animation movie

showing the alligator build itself– Click on the link above to launch movie (note:

movie must be embedded on cd with ppt. to launch.)

• Self Demonstration• Continue to ….(add link to page in ppt)

WeDo Software Introduction

• Drag and drop icon based software • Provides an intuitive and easy to use ‐ ‐

programming environment• Software automatically detects motors and

sensors when they are attached to the LEGO USB Hub

• Includes a Getting Started Guide with simple building tips and programming examples

Desktop Icon

WeDo Software Introduction

Icon Palette

WeDo Software Introduction

Getting Started Guide and Activities

Button

Getting Started Guide

• Each component icon is clickable, which leads to further instructions

The Alligator

Advance Button

Advance Button

On Screen Building Instructions

Start Programming

• Plug in robot by connecting the USB to the computer

• Sensor icon should appear in upper left hand corner (insert pict. Of sensor)

Experiment with the Programming

• Experiment with the program by adding additional icons such as sound, backgrounds, text or change the motor directions.

Programming Discussion

• What was a challenge you encountered while building?

• Where there any challenges using the software?

• Was this easier or harder than you thought it would be? Explain.

Step 8: LEGO WeDo Resources

• Lego Education Resource for Teachers– www.legoeducation.us/global.aspx

• Additional Activity Packs can be purchased to add on to the four themed based builds

Additional Robotics Resources• LEGO Education Resource for Teachers

– http://www.legoeducation.us/global.aspx• For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST)

– www.usfirst.org• Jr. First LEGO League

– www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/jfll• First LEGO League

– www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll• KISS Institute for Practical Robots: Robotics Laboratory: Wheels and

Navigation Activity– www.kipr.org/curriculum/wheels_nav.html

• STOMP Sample Units, Activity Database– http://stompnetwork.org/stomp-resources

• Carnegie Mellon University – Robotics Academy– www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/roboticscurriculum/index_to_robotics.htm

Additional Robotics Resources

• Look for new contacts and volunteers to help build your program.

• Older more experienced youth can make great mentors.

Youth Development Adaptations

Consider the following skills that can be developed through WeDo projects and the Activity Pack projects • Youth are encouraged to use creativity, teamwork and

problem solving = life skills!• Youth develop language and literacy through narrative and

journalistic writing, storytelling, explaining, interviewing and interpreting

• Youth experience mathematics when measuring time and distance; adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, estimating, and using variables.

Youth Development Adaptations

Consider the following skills that can be developed through WeDo projects and the Activity Pack projects • Youth experience science through working with simple

machines, gears, levers, pulleys; and experimenting with transmission of motion

• Youth discover technology when programming; using software media; and designing and creating a working model.

Youth Development Adaptations

• How could youth use WeDo robots to perform service learning? – (ex: providing a WeDo workshop for 4-H members)

• How could a club use WeDo kits as a fundraiser?• How could a 4-H member use a WeDo kit in a

traditional 4-H activity, such as a county fair or communications contest?

• How could a teen leader use WeDo kits to do an activity with junior members?

Questions