1. College of
Science,
Engineering &
Technology
Community
Engagement
I-SET
Inspired towards
Science,
Engineering and
Technology

2. I-SET Robotics Coach and Mentor Training
19 May 2012

3. Teaching & Learning
Building and Programming

4. Outline
• Equipment
• Building basic
• Programming basic and beyond
• Building
• Challenges (with add-ons)
• Resources
• Schedule & lesson plan

5. TOUCH SENSOR
MOTOR
NXT BRICK
GEARS

6. Equipment
• Robot – MindStorm (9797) & resource kit.
• Container. Recharger & download cable.
• Laptop & software.
• Paper, pens, colour pens, pencils. Chalk!
• Camera.
• Chocolates, sweets, condensed milk!
• Clock.

7. Building basic
• The book in the kit.
• Build first robot (good for team building!)
• Just follow instructions – carefully!
• Easy?

8. Programming basics
• First programming experience.
• A paradigm change …
• Make it FUN and EXCITING.
• No big deal!
• Avoid all FEARS and I CANNOT.
• BE AWARE of manipulators ….

9. Visual programming NXT-G

10. Programming MOVE and NOISE
• MOVE FOREVER
• MOVE TWO ROTATIONS STOP
• MOVE THREE ROTATIONS NOISE
MOVE
• Forward, backward, stop, different sounds!

11. CHALLENGE
• Attach a pen to the robot.
• Program robot to draw the first letter
of your name.
• Program the robot to make a noise
when you are done.

12. BUILDING

13. Specific purpose building
• Specific purpose robot attachments.
• Passive – push (bumper, plough,
box), hook (fish), dump, collect.
• Power – grab, lift (lever, forklift), pull.
• Gears disguised.
• Movement options – wheels, legs.

14. Building
• Purpose of specific challenge.
• CHANGE and consider effect.
• Explain concept (in own words).

15. Building concepts
• Centre of gravity.
• Robot robustness.
• Stress.
• Alternatives and options.
• What if ….

16. Building ideas
• Simple shapes and structures.
• Ways to attach NXT motors.
• Front end setups - 15 minute project.
• Grippers, and Gears.
• Building creativity – Out the box.

17. PROGRAMMING
• Teach concept and logic.
• Show the implementation.
• Set the challenge.
• Input, process and output.

18. Robot Educator

19. SEQUENCE OF CONCEPTS
• MOVE (and all the alternatives)
• NOISE (just for fun)
• SENSORS – light, colour, ultrasonic,
touch, sound (input values and calibrate)
• LOOPING
• SWITCH (decision linked to sensors)
• CODE BLOCKS (important)

20. Challenge options
• Download an existing program with
building plans.
• Learn to interpret code.
• Modify code and see what happens.

21. Challenges - examples

23. RESOURCES
• Internet – Google, YouTube
• Books
• FLL website and Twitter (NB
competition details)
• Coaching SUPPORT
• I-SET

24. Internet – Google, YouTube
• Lesson plans.
• Programs and building instructions.
• Robotic design
• NXT tutorials
• YouTube (‘kyk en leer’) FLL, Lego,
MindStorms

25. Lego engineering

26. Lego mindstorms

27. YouTube MindStorms Lego

28. BOOKS
• Try to get e-books.
• Amazon, Kalahari.

29. FLL Website and Twitter

31. Coaching Support (**cost)
• TUT student engineers – 2-6 July
2012 holidays**.
• JEFA - representative **.
• Engenius toys – consulting **.
• Hands on Technology –
consulting **.

32. I-SET
• I-Set Website for contact details
• Twitter @ISETLego
• FaceBook I-Set
• Virtual learning environment (under
construction) for team collaboration
and coach support (July 2012)

33. YEAR SCHEDULE

34. LESSON PLAN (minimum 2 hours)
• Must be a break and time limits.
• Vary instruction. Challenge activities.
• Ideally <=5 learners/kit. Initially explore
groupings, roles, participation.
• Groups*** with ‘leader’.
• Assessment? Register? Handouts?

35. Lesson Part A

36. Lesson Part B

37. p.s.
• It must be fun.
• The kids do all their building and all
their programming!!!
• The coach does not need to know
everything – just be there!

38. Chinese proverb found by a robotics kid
• Tell me, and I may forget …
• Show me, and I may remember
…
• Involve me, and I will understand.

39. Thank You