A robot will only follow the commands it is given, no more and no less.
Clear instructions are an important part of completing a task.
These activities are best done in small groups, perhaps in a student rotation in the classroom.
Activity 1: Human Computer
| Objective: The 'computer' will follow simple directions to place the small box into the tub. Setup: The robot shown is a VEX Clawbot kit, which comes with a remote control. It has 4 motors: left side drive, right side drive, arm up/down, claw in/out. For the activity, the teacher or another adult is the 'computer'. A small group of students provide the coding, or directions. When the 'computer' receives many directions at once, it will not function. When it receives a series of simple commands, it functions very well. We have 2 of these robots available. |  |
Activity 2: Light-Show
| Objective: Students will use simple block language, such as that used with Scratch Jr. to identify the coding for each 'light show'. Setup: This is a simple 'robot' that was built with an Arduino kit. It includes 6 lights and 3 buttons. Each button push will show a different (simple) light show. This 'robot' is programmed with the free Arduino software, but once uploaded, just needs to have a 5V power supply. A regular USB charger will do the trick. |  |
Activity 3: Emojibot
| Objective: Build a simple 'robot' Setup: I bought a package of foam sticker emojis from Dollar General, 5mm LED lights and CR2032 batteries from Amazon. A little transparent tape and a safety pin will give the student a wearable 'emojibot'. The leads for the light will need to be folded down flat on either side of the battery. A slim piece of paper between one of the leads and the battery will even give it a switch. |  |
| Objective: Build a locker robot. Setup: Foam sticker sheets magnetic sheets or magnets LED lights Battery Googly eyes (optional) Wire Cut the foam sheets in pieces to create a unique robot. These may be difficult to cut with scissors. A utility knife may be preferred. I used some scrap data cable for the wire, stripping the ends for good contact. I am looking for better ways to make a switch. This works, but is a little more primitive than I would like. These may be placed on the students' hallway lockers. |
