Spring 2005 Upper Canada District School Board Initiative 5 Lego Mindstorm Team Challenge Sets Small groups of 3 per kit for 4 afternoons to experiment with first year teacher (it was a learning experience) Nationview integrated Robotics as part of its Design & Tech program for all grade 7 & 8 students

Robo-world Rules Respect x 3 (Equipment, Students, Teacher) Keep Equipment Organized Work Co-operatively Participate in All Activities Be Creative

Roboworld Procedures 1.Wait outside room quietly until room opened. 2.Enter room and take seat at assigned computer. 3.Wait for instructions then gather necessary resources (kits, duo-tangs) at your assigned table. 4.Chairs are pushed at computers in during building phase. 5.Never mix pieces between kits. 6.All building takes place at the table & inside of the building box. 7.All kits must be sorted and inspected at end of class. 8.Do a visual sweep of the floor around your table for rogue Lego pieces. 9. All computers are shut down. 10. All chairs are pushed in.

Sort Inventory Inspect Build Times Organization Responsibility

1. Keep the same kits with the same groups to improve accountability. 2. Pairs of students work best for activities, groups of 4 work best for planning. 3. Make sure building instructions are clear and easy to read (bad photocopies are bad). 4. Teach the basics before allowing students the chance to “free build” – it’s harder than it looks. 5. You (the teacher) have to “play” too.

Break big problems into small problems. Grouping steps/instructions. Debugging/Testing Solutions Criteria for Best Solution

MATH Fractions, Data Collection, Graphing, Number Sense SCIENCE Mechanical Efficiency, Optics, Structures, Forces MUSIC Piano Player LEARNING SKILLS Problems Solving, Collaborative Work

Start with Pilot Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 Introduce idea of “steps” in programming Students learn of icons and variables Linear and logical flow of actions It only does what we design and tell it to do

Provide reference posters Students’ “Big Book of Robotic Knowledge” Put knowledge in students’ hands

The Gripper Challenge Count the Dots Challenge

If you need help setting up or you have an idea to share – please contact Annual Robotics Challenge June 1 st at North Grenville High School Anne Walker A Great Experience for All Students!