Welcome to Robotics!

Every academic discipline has its own set of concepts, theories, and content that must be learned before one can apply this material to an application. This process is the same in educational robotics. Not only is it important for students to have fun designing robots, it is equally important for them to understand the technical components that are sensing the environment, producing motion, and generating knowledge. Hands-on activities are a good way for students to plug-in and turn-on sophisticated equipment. Students respond positively to the concrete, practical, outcome orientation of design problems before they are able to engage in the abstract, theoretical nature of many scientific inquiries (National Science Education Standards 1996). This section of the cyber laboratory will familiarize teachers and students with several types of technology used in educational robotics.

Learn Robotics!

Do Robotics!

Upon completing the activities in this section, teachers and students will have the knowledge to apply what they have learned to real world problems and applications using the scientific method. The content learning activities and research projects in this curriculum are designed to meet the objectives of the National Science Education Standard (ESES) in Science and Technology. Click to review NSES standard for 9-12 grade: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

It is important to understand that this curriculum is in the research and development stages. The KISS Institute will test this curriculum in several classrooms in Oklahoma and California. We would appreciate any feedback you may have regarding the content learning activities and research projects. The first release of content learning activities will be September 1, 2000. Additional activities will be added throughout the fall and spring of the 2000-2001 school year. The first research projects will be released on September 30, 2000. For more curriculum ideas, please go to the Supplemental Curriculum page.

Content Learning Objectives for the Educational Robotics Activities

1. To develop an understanding about science and technology as related to robotics
2. To introduce several technical components of robotics including sensors, motors, gears, power sources, and computer programming
3. To allow students to experiment with robotic components
4. To encourage students to change or improve current technological designs

EDUCATIONAL ROBOTIC ACTIVITIES

If any of the activities require a HandyBoard processor, you will see this icon:

If the activities require an RCX processor

you will see this icon:

POWER: power sources, nickel cadmium, alkaline

PROGRAMMING: programming introduction, IC tutorials

SENSORS: activities with photodiodes, infrared sensors, range sensors, bump/touch sensors,
shaft encoders including computer programming code

MOTORS: LEGO DC motors with programming code, servo motors

GEARS: gears, speed, torque, force

HandyBoard Starting Point

RCX Starting Point

Wheels and Navigation Using the RCX (Middle School Activities): activities for testing out robot designs using very simple code that can be manipulated by students

Bibliography