Part 2

Overview of Summer Teacher Workshops for In-class Use of FLL/FTC Technology July 28, 2008

Workshop Overview Makes use of FLL/FTC kits with third-party sensors, e.g., Vernier, Hitechnic, Mindsensors Makes use of Robolab software, but other software such as NXT-G, LabVIEW for Education, could also be used Taught how to develop Rigorous and Relevant Lesson plans that include assessment using a Hands-on, Inquiry-based Learning approach Goal: teachers working in triads, e.g., math, science and technology, to develop/run a peer reviewed lesson plan in their classroom

Use of Lego NXT Kits LEGO elements can be a powerful teaching tool for students of all ages –using LEGO bricks a kindergarten student can explore the concept of numbers and sorting –add a few motors and sensors to those LEGO bricks and high school students can learn about engineering and physics by building a robot or a set-up to measure mechanical advantage Having students from K-12 use the same/common toolsets allows more time to be focused on learning and exploring and less on learning how to use software, etc.

Sensors in FLL Kit Output: degrees Output: 0-100% Output: 0 (not pressed) or 1 (pressed) Output: 3-255cm

Vernier Sensor Adapter for NXT Used with various sensors having analog outputs. Values/units vary by sensor. Dual force sensor Light Sensor Gas Pressure Sensor

About Robolab - Investigator ROBOLAB is good environment for programming, creating, learning and exploring with the LEGO NXT (and older RCX) –with an intuitive graphical interface, students of all ages are able to create autonomous systems, collect data, compose music, and snap pictures ROBOLAB runs on top of the LabVIEW programming environment (including LVEE ‘09) –used by engineers and scientists in both institutions of higher education and industry –a leading software development tool for measurement and control applications

Key Investigator Windows Select Programming Level 5, then click here to begin programming the NXT under Investigator, i.e., for data logging. Level 5 provides full NXT programming similar to Inventor/LVEE ’09. Main windows: Program, Upload, Compute, View/Compare, Journal and Publish

Sample Investigator Program The following code takes 50 light sensor samples at a rate of 0.1 seconds per sample, i.e., sampling for 5 seconds in total You can enter, download and run this code on the NXT, then upload the data in investigator to view it

Sample of Third Party Sensors Covered in the Workshop TemperatureUltrasonicLight & TempGas PressureInstrumentation AmpAccelerometerMagnetic FieldForce

Structure of a Sensor Presentation 1.Overview of the sensor (20 min)  Description and experiment setup  Robolab data acquisition code  Data visualization and analysis  Rigor and Relevance discussion 2.Group Activity (40 min)  Each group experiments with the sensor in kit  Take notes in engineering journal 3.Group Brainstorm R&R (15 min)  Potential lesson plans?  Take notes engineering journal 4.Class Discussion (15 min)

Surface Temperature Sensor The Surface Temperature Sensor is designed for use in situations in which low thermal mass or flexibility is required. Special features include an exposed thermistor that results in an extremely rapid response.

Surface Temperature Sample Code Experiment: Examine temperature difference between different colors of paper heated using a lamp. Procedure: 1.Play a sound indicating when data logging begins 2.Turn on lamp 3.Collect temperature heating data every tenth of a second for a total of 180 seconds, i.e., 1800 data samples 4.Play a sound to indicate time to turn of lamp and begin logging temperature cooling data 5.Collect cooling data for another 180 seconds Download and run this code on the NXT, then upload the data to view

Visualization and Analysis: White Paper vs. Black Paper

The goal is to move learning experiences into Quadrant D

Rigor and Relevance Discussion Easier: What colors absorb more heat? Harder: Compare the cooling data to Newton’s law of cooling, i.e., →

Rigor and Relevance Discussion Temperature Probes: Quadrant A – Identify the two different parts of the curve Quadrant B – Repeat this test with different materials. Quadrant C – Describe how different conditions and/or activities might affect the results of this test. Quadrant D – Develop a procedure for assessing the cardio-vascular health of a subject based on the results of tests designed to measure the impact of exercise on the subject’s breathing rate using a temp probe.

Your Turn Session - Temperature 1.Experiment with temperature probes (40 min)  Use ring stand, light, colored paper to recreate heating/cooling experiment  Log and visualize data 2.Brainstorm in your groups on classroom possibilities (15 min) 3.Class discussion (15 min) Please use your journals to keep a record of your discussions and notes about sensors.

Rigor and Relevance Lesson Plan Format

Lesson Plan Format for R&R Identify the R&R quadrant that best fits your lesson plan

This may be new but it is very helpful for determining the effectiveness of the lesson. The teachers devise sample pre/post-assessments over the course of this week.

Roughly 20 lesson plans results from the initial summer workshop using a wide variety of sensors, including: –force sensor, e.g., for bridge breaking –magnetic field sensor, e.g., for measuring power used by different forms of lighting –Ph sensor, e.g., for measuring the amount of C0 2 in respiration

In-class Workshop Photos