1. Introducing: The Finch

2. Workshop Outline The Story of the Finch Finch Hardware Software and Assignments Time to Program!

3. The CSbots Program Using robots as tools in CS Education –Retention –Learning Modular approach to curriculum NSF CCLI program 3

4. Design: Information Sources Previous studies Instructor and Textbook Surveys Participatory design with educators –Community Colleges –High schools

5. Design: Identifying Constraints Individual ownership and home use –Low-cost –Portable –Robust –Support multiple platforms Aesthetically appealing Richly interactive Should “Just work” Minimal changes to existing courses

6. Low-cost Personal Robot $99

7. Sensors and Outputs

8. Robustness

9. Satisfying Constraints Individual ownership and home use –Low-cost –Portable –Robust –Support multiple platforms Aesthetically appealing Richly interactive Should “Just work” USB Tether Multiple sensors/outputs Plastic shell with input from students

10. That last constraint… Minimal changes to existing courses Assignments are aligned to traditional concepts Tethering, portability, multi-platform support Support as many languages as possible

11. Programming Grades 3-6 CREATE Lab Visual Programmer, Finch Dreams (based on Alice 2.2), Snap! (based on Scratch) Grades 7-9 Finch Dreams, Python, Processing, Snap! Grades 10+ Java, Javascript, Greenfoot, Python, Processing, Scala, C++, Matlab, Visual Basic, Snap! More languages are coming!

12. www.finchrobot.com Multi-purpose site Assignments Software Documentation/Forums

13. Finch Uses in the Classroom Use it to enhance regular assignments Extra challenge for gifted/bored students Advertising to next year’s class –Display student projects –Demo to visiting 8 th graders Use it to provide high school students tutoring opportunities to younger students

14. Time to Program First step: Make it move and talk in Jython. Next steps: –Make Finch Dance –Make a Finch alarm clock After Lunch: –Snap! with Finch

16. Wrap-up: Teasers Snap! Finch wireless backpack (Freebird) Hummingbird

17. Snap! (formerly BYOB) In-browser javascript-based drag and drop programming environment Adds making your own blocks and recursion to Scratch Works with Finch! Live Demo

18. Wireless backpack Will work on existing Finches Will work with existing software Android too! Adds ports for distance sensors, prototyping, and encoders Anticipated Cost: $99 for backpack, $35 for rangefinders, $35 for encoders. Live Demo

19. Hummingbird Robotics Kit Kit with a robot controller, LEDs, sensors, and motors Make robots out of arts and crafts materials Aimed at ages 11+ (13 w/o supervision) No technical/programming experience required $199

20. www.hummingbirdkit.com

21. The End! Buy (another) Finch today!