Presentation delivered in the international conference “Engaging tools for science education” held in Sofia, on 31.10 - 02.11.2014. The International Conference “Engaging science education” was organised in the frames of international project Teamwork, Training and Technology Network” (TTT NET), implemented with the support from EC through LLP (540029-LLP-1-2013-1-IT-COMENIUS-CNW).
There are presented some initiatives which contribute(d) to STEM activities development: two international contests –in the field of Robotics (ROBOTOR) and Programming (SCRIPT)– and 3 European projects –two related to Robotics (RECAP and KAREL), and one related to STEM education (SCIENTIX).
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
Enhancing STEM activities through contests and European projects
1. Enhancing STEM activities
through contests and
European projects
Mihai Agape
Palatul Copiilor Drobeta Turnu Severin – Filiala Orsova
Engaging Tools for Science Education Conference
Teamwork, Training and Technology Network (TTTNet)
Sofia, Inter Expo Center, 31.10.2014 – 02.11.2014
Parallel Session 3, Rodopi hall, 01.11.2014, 14:00 – 14:30
2. The Purpose of the
Presentation
International Contests
ROBOTOR
SCRIPT
European Projects
RECAP (LdV)
KAREL (Comenius)
3. This work has been funded with support from the
European Commission.
This communication reflects the views only of the
author, and the Commission cannot be held
responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein.
7. How to bring technical activities on stage?
Robotics Trophy ROBOTOR
Robotics contests are spectacular
Robotics = STEM integrator
ROBOTOR = ROBOT + ORsova
8. ROBOTOR editions
First edition:
Regional Trophy - 2008
National editions: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013,
2014
International editions: 2011
Poland, France, Turkey, and Romania
All editions have been included in the
Educational Activities Schedule of MEN
ROBOTOR 2015 will be international
18. International Robotics Trophy ROBOTOR 2015,
Robotics Contests & Robotics Symposium
Orsova, 28-30 May 2015
Dragsters (Junior & Middle)
Line Follower (Junior, Middle & Senior)
Mini & Micro Sumo (Junior, Middle & Senior)
Line & Wall Maze (Junior, Middle & Senior)
Solar Robots (Junior & Middle)
Freestyle (Junior & Middle)
Possible subsections
Beginners
Advanced
mihai_agape@yahoo.com
19. National International?
eTwinning portal (http://www.etwinning.net/)
Enable teachers and students in European
countries to collaborate online
21. General Information
Programme: Lifelong Learning Programme
Action: Leonardo da Vinci Partnerships
Reference No: LLP-LdV/PAR/2010/RO/023
Project title: Remote Controlled Arm Project
Acronym: RECAP
Implementation: 01.08.2010 – 31.07.2012
22. RECAP Partners
Śląskie Techniczne Zakłady Naukowe –
Katowice, Poland (coordinator).
Beypazari Teknik Ve Endüstri Meslek Lisesi –
Beypazari, Turkey.
Lycée Henri Vincenot – Louhans, France.
Wyższa Szkoła Technologii Informatycznych
w Katowicach – Katowice, Poland.
Palatul Copiilor şi Elevilor Drobeta Turnu
Severin – Filiala Orşova, Romania.
23. Partnership Aim
Romanian team contributions
Design and manufacture a robotic arm
Romanian team contributions
Electronics
Controller for Robotic Hand
System for Capturing Arm Motion - SCAM
Programming
Mechanics
Arm Design
24. RECAP Result – EST
http://www.europeansharedtreasure.eu/detail.php?id_project_
base=2010-1-PL1-LEO04-11315
39. The analyze of finger’s position in
the static case
The relative position of the finger’s
phalanges is determined by the tension
in the tendon, diameters of the pulleys
and characteristics of torsion springs
(elastic constants and initial pretension).
To simplify the calculus we suppose
that there are not
Gravity
Friction
41. Calculus of joints rotation angles
Active moment (Ma)
Active force
Tendon tension
Angle between string tensions
Lever arm
Resistant moment (Mr)
Rotation angle of the joint
Elastic constant and preloading of the spring
Ma = Mr => Rotation angle of the joint as a function
of force applied to the tendon
Relation between rotation angles of joints and
rotation angle of servo
43. Simulation of finger’s flexion
Parameters
Phalanges lengths: l1 = 45mm, l2 = 25mm,
l3 = 25 mm
Radius of pulleys: r1, r1 și r3
Springs constants: k1, k2 și k3
Preloading of the springs: α1i, α2i și α3i
Calculated data (as a function of F)
Articulations angles: α1, α2 și α3
Servo’s angle: α0
49. Finger’s prototype (SF1)
Phalanges: aluminum sheet 0.8 mm thick
Joints: M2 bolts + plastic tubes
Pulleys: 4mm thick Plexiglas
Springs: music wire with diameter of 0,4 mm
Tendon: nylon string with a diameter of 0,5 mm
74. What is Scratch?
Scratch is a free programming language and
online community where you can create your
own interactive stories, games, simulations,
and animations.
Scratch is a project of the Lifelong
Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. It
is provided free of charge.
http://scratch.mit.edu/
75. Example - Tornado Simulation
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/23046337/
Poster related to augmented reality (Good
Practice from ITAO workshop – Zuhal Yilmaz
Dogan and Didem Sunbul)
80. International Contest
SCRIPT 2014
Cooperation with Galina Momcheva, Assoc.
Prof. at Varna Free University
Participants from Bulgaria, Italy, Macedonia,
Poland, Slovenia, Turkey, USA and Romania
82. SCRIPT 2015
Contest & Symposium
Contest
Primary and lower secondary pupils (aged
from 6-7 to 14 – 15 years old).
Version Scratch 2.0
Symposium
Creators of Scratch learning resources
(teachers & students)
Online videoconference
83. SCRIPT 2015 – Contest
Aim: promote the programming among
primary and lower secondary students, using
Scratch programming language.
Contest objectives:
Stimulating pupils to code.
Developing English language skills of pupils
and teachers.
Promoting of the best teams.
Dissemination of the best projects.
84. SCRIPT 2015 – Contest
Sections:
Greetings
Games
Music and Dance
Stories
Simulations
Age categories
one for each grade from 1 to 8
mihai_agape@yahoo.com
85. General Information
Karel Project in Numbers
Partners
Objectives
Results & Outcomes
Robot Requirements
Tasts Distribution
Work Breakdown Structure
KAREL PROJECT OVERVIEW
86. General Information
Programme: LIFELONG LEARNING
PROGRAMME
Sub-programme: COMENIUS
Action type: PARTNERSHIPS
Action: COMENIUS Multilateral school
partnerships
LLP Link No: 2013-1-RO1-COM06-29664 1
Project title: Karel - Autonomous Robot for
Enhancing Learning
Project acronym: KAREL
Implementation: 01.08.2013 – 31.07.2015
87. Karel project in numbers
Countries: 4
Partners: 4
Teachers: 21
Students: 50
Mobilities: 96
Robots: 20
Lessons: 21
88. WHO?
Partners, pupils, teachers
1. Platon Schools (Εκπαιδευτηρια Πλατων)
(Katerini, Greece)
2. Beypazari Teknik Ve Endüstri Meslek Lisesi
(Beypazari, Turkey)
3. Technikum nr 1 im. Stanisława Staszica w
Zespole Szkoł Technicznych w Rybniku
(Rybnik, Poland)
4. Palatul Copiilor
(Drobeta Turnu Severin, Romania)
Pupils (aged from 14 to 19 years old) & Teachers
89. WHY?
Objectives
Improve teaching and learning of science and
technology using robotics as integrator
O1. Apply practical math and scientific
concepts while learning to design, build, test
and document KAREL.
O2. Create an interdisciplinary curriculum to
use with KAREL robotic platform.
O3. Improve confidence and fluency in English
and learn scientific and technical vocabulary in
partners’ languages.
90. WHAT?
Results & Outcomes
Robotics Dictionary in English and each
partner’s language.
Robotics Platforms designed and
manufactured (20).
Curriculum with at least 21 lesson plans, in
English and each partner’s language . At
least 2 lesson plans for each of following
fields: physics, biology, programming,
mechanics, electronics, and robotics.
91. HOW?
Tasks Distribution
Robotic platform design, manufacture, test
and document:
a) Mechanical system
Turkey
b) Electronic system
Poland (input / output devices)
Romania (controller, motor drivers, power supply,
communication)
d) Software
Greece (codes for lessons)
Romania (codes for input / output devices)
92. HOW?
Tasks Distribution
Pupils:
Create robotics dictionary
Research, design, build, test, and program
robotic platform
Test curriculum
Teachers:
Design curriculum
Guide pupils
93.
94. Specifications
Karelino - first controller prototype of Karel robot
Solving math problems
The second design of Karel platform
KAREL
SOME OF THE WORK DONE
95. Agreed at the first project meeting in Beypazari
Available at http://sdrv.ms/170NTak
KAREL SPECIFICATIONS
104. Schematic
3D Views
PCB manufacturing
Board Testing
Mechanics, Electronics, and Software Integration (Rybnik meeting)
First Karel prototype
KARELINO - FIRST PROTOTYPE
OF THE ROBOTIC PLATFORM
105. Why Karelino?
Karel problems
2 s LiPo battery management
Motor voltage regulator
Solution
Small complexity prototype
Cristina – Karel team student
Karel & Arduino -> Karelino
134. Proposed Improvements
(Rybnik meeting)
Integrate new blocks (e.g. Motor voltage
regulator, UART connector, Battery
management system)
Make changes to the initial design (e.g.
replace USB micro B connector with an USB
mini B connector)
Redesign the PCB (components places and
traces) according to the chassis shape
Add LEDs to show the state of Bluetooth
module
135. Useful Links
Drawings for manufacturing the Karelino
controller http://1drv.ms/1jet3ci
Bill of materials for all designs
http://1drv.ms/1oAF8hr
136. Climbing an inclined plan
Karel Base Designs
Animation created in Geogebra
Problems Solved
MATH PROBLEMS
137. Climbing a 30 % inclined plan
A requirement which seems to be related just
to the power of the motors.
141. Theoretical problems related to
geometrical constraints study
Ground clearance
Front overhang
Rear overhang
We will use the work for some Math lesson plan
142. Karel Base Dimensions
l_w = wheel base
l_r = rear overhang
l_f = front overhang
d_w = wheel diameter
d_c = caster diameter
h = ground clearance
150. Programming Languages
C
Atmel Studio IDE
We created some modules (functions) for
Motors control
Serial communication (USART, Bluetooth)
Optical line sensors
Arduino
Arduino Leonardo compatibility
Microcontroller - ATmega32U4
Use Karel with Arduino?
151. Karel Visual Software
A former student of mine, Claudia Tudosie,
who is now student in the last year at
Timisoara University, Computers Enginnering
Faculty, chose for his final project a theme
related to KAREL. She proposed to create a
visual programming language (similar to
Scratch) for Karel platform.
153. Physics Lesson Plan
Friction & Speed
How the Karel robot will be integrated in the
lesson?
Robots will travel along surfaces of different
materials (in order to show that the speed
depends on the different surfaces)
What do we need to do?
Drive the robot along pathways (straight or
curved) on different surfaces.
Measure time, distance.
154. Materials
Materials with different coefficient of friction
Karel robot
Stopwatches
Distance measuring tools
Data sheets
Microsoft Excel
155. Lesson Objectives
Students will:
O1. Observe the influence of the road surface
to the speed of the robot.
O2. Use relation d = v * t in order to calculate
v when d, and t are given.
O3. Propose solutions for improvement of
friction between road and the tires of the robot.
156. Engagement
Students will predict how the surface of the
road affects the speed of the robot.
Example of questions for students:
What is the effect of the road type on the
vehicle speed? (bumpy / smooth, straight /
curvy)
How can you determine the speed of a
vehicle? (distance / time)
More friction means more or less speed?
157. Exploration
Students will measure the speed of the robot
on different surfaces. They will record the
data in the next table.
Surface type (road) Distance Time
The students will understand how the road
materials affect the time needed for the robot
to travel a given distance.
159. Elaboration
Students experiment with different surface
materials and weather conditions. Students
record the data in next table
Surface type (road) Distance Time Weather
Calculate the speed for each type of tested
road
160. Evaluation
Students introduce the collected data in an
Excel sheet and represent graphically the
distance as a function of time for different
road materials.
Students answer the next question: How the
friction of the roads could be increased or
decreased?
175. Improve Boards
Manufacturing Process
Older printer (Samsung) – 600 dpi resolution
New printer (HP) - 1200 dpi resolution
Very good results after some tests
Problems – printer driver for Windows 7
176. Printing problems
MS Word (doc)
Different results
Picture (png)
Scaling problems
Good results with
pdf files
189. Karel Second Prototype
Problems & Future Work
Some circuits (e.g. for battery
management) not tested yet
Some integrated circuits are not so easy
to procure (e.g. the ones made by Seiko)
Possible new changes in design using
new integrated circuits (e.g. boost
regulator supplied from 1 Li-Po battery
with high output current capabilities)
194. What to do to increase the number of
STEM fans?
195. Don’t forget about
ROBOTOR & SCRIPT
International Robotics Trophy
ROBOTOR 2015
SCRatch International Programming Trial
SCRIPT 2015
Contact
mihai_agape@yahoo.com
196. Bibliography
Agape, Maria-Genoveva; Agape, Mihai (mai 2011).
„Trofeul Internaţional de Robotică ROBOTOR”.
Universul copiilor 16 (I.S.S.N 1841 – 191): 34 – 37.
Agape, Mihai (februarie 2012). „Să învățăm
programare jucându-ne în Scratch”. Preparandia 2
(ISSN 2247 – 9414), section Gymnasium.
http://bit.ly/1ftKR27
Agape, Mihai (octombrie 2013). Rules for National
Robotics Trophy ROBOTOR 2014.
http://sdrv.ms/17umqk7
197. Bibliography (cont.)
Agape, Mihai (octombrie 2013). Rules of Scratch
International Programming Trial SCRIPT 2014.
http://sdrv.ms/LgPxfX
Agape, Maria-Genoveva (octombrie 2013). Rules of
Scratch International Symposium SCRIPT 2014.
http://sdrv.ms/LgPxfX
Agape, Mihai. Agape, Maria-Genoveva. “KAREL
Specifications”, agreed in Karel Project Meeting held
at Beypazari on 10–16.11.2013. http://sdrv.ms/170NTak
Agape, Mihai. “Karelino—One Step in Karel Robotic
Platform Developing”, presentation given at National
Symposium IPO-TECH, Tirgu-Neamt, 29.03.2014
198. Bibliography (cont.)
Agape, Mihai. “Contributions for developing a
robotic arm”, presentation delivered in RECAP
Project Meeting (Katowice, 05.31.2012).
Agape, Mihai. “Scientix – Comunitatea
tehnico-științifică europeană”, presentation
delivered in National Symposium “Electronics
Today” (Constanta, 23.06.2014).
Agape, Mihai. “KAREL
Controller Design”, presentation delivered at
Karel project meeting held at Rybnik, 06-
13.04.2014.
199. Bibliography (cont.)
Agape, Cristina-Maria. “KAREL – Controller
Manufacturing”, presentation delivered at Karel
project meeting held at Rybnik, 06-13.04.2014.
Agape, Mihai. “KAREL – First Implementation
Year”, presentation delivered at the Robotic
Symposium – Code Week event, Katerini, 14th
October 2014.
Agape, Maria-Genoveva. “Physics Lesson Plan
– Friction & Speed”, presentation delivered at
the Karel project meeting held at Katerini, 12 –
19.10.2014.
Here we are with our robots at National Robotics Trophy ROBOTOR 2013.
We participate in local, regional and national contests.
Who is working on this project, and who are they working with?
The obvious: identifying team members.
The ambigous: establishing clear connections among people who’ll be collaborating with each other, integrating their schedules and vacations, and noting how their role in the organization will affect their role on the project team. Outlining these kinds of details is worth the elbow grease, and can help you measure time frames in terms of actual labor hours rather than dubious calendar days.
The general objective of the project is to improve teaching and learning of science and technology using robotics as integrator
1. Apply practical math and scientific concepts while learning to design, build, test and document KAREL (a low cost, utonomous
robotic platform for enhancing learning of sciences and technology in secondary school).
2. Create an interdisciplinary curriculum to use with KAREL robotic platform.
3. Improve confidence and fluency in English and learn scientific and technical vocabulary in partners’ languages.
Principal results and outcomes of the project.
Task Distribution
1. Robotic platform design, manufacture, test and document:
a) Mechanical system – Turkey
b) Electronic system – Poland (input / output devices), Romania (controller, motor drivers, power supply, communication)
d) Software – Greece (codes for lessons), Romania (codes for input / output devices)
The responsible partners will manufacture one final prototype for each partner. During the project all partners will learn to
manufacture their parts and will produce their own fleet of robots.
2. Curriculum for robotic platform design and document:
a) Physics – Greece, Romania
b) Biology – Greece
c) Mechanics – Turkey, Poland
d) Electronics - Poland, Romania
e) Programming – Greece, Romania
e) Robotics – Poland, Romania
Each lesson will be peer reviewed by other partners.
Each partner will translate the final curriculum in his language.
3. The robotic terms dictionary in English, Greek, Polish, Turkish and Romanian will be the result of our common effort.
Strategy
This project involves both pupils and teachers. The pupils will participate in all stages of the project. They will research, design, build,
test, and program the robotic platform. Also they will contribute to test the curriculum. Teachers will guide pupils and will create the
curriculum. We will create a robotic terms dictionary in partners languages.
The Work Breakdown Structure presented here represents all the work required to complete KAREL project. You can see that it is a very complex project.
We use Transfer Toner System to manufacture the PCB.
We use the materials from the Pulsar kit “PCB Fab-In-A-Box”.
We use a laser printer.
We use a fine sandpaper to sand the copper. Clean the surface with a cloth. Do not touch the surface once the cleaning is done.
If you are you are using a double sided copper board, then be sure to scrub the other side as well. This will speed up the etching process of the other side.
We use a laminator to transfer the toner form paper to board.
Când mă deplasam cu trenul către București, pentru a lua avionul către Bruxelles (unde am participat la prima sesiune a reuniunii de lansare a proiectului Scientix 2, în calitate de vice Ambasador al Scientix pentru România) am văzut pe peretele unei clădiri, scris cu majuscule, următorul text: „ȘTIINȚA TREBUIE SĂ RENASCĂ”. Am considerat un semn bun acest mesaj și l-am împărtășit și colegilor europeni prezenți la reuniune. Chiar dacă după o discuție cu dna Irina Vasilescu - Ambasador Scientix pentru România - am ajuns la concluzia că probabil mesajul era scris de un susținător al echipei Știința Craiova, el exprimă un deziderat care ar trebuie să ne anime pe toți cei implicați în educația STEM.
Când mă deplasam cu trenul către București, pentru a lua avionul către Bruxelles (unde am participat la prima sesiune a reuniunii de lansare a proiectului Scientix 2, în calitate de vice Ambasador al Scientix pentru România) am văzut pe peretele unei clădiri, scris cu majuscule, următorul text: „ȘTIINȚA TREBUIE SĂ RENASCĂ”. Am considerat un semn bun acest mesaj și l-am împărtășit și colegilor europeni prezenți la reuniune. Chiar dacă după o discuție cu dna Irina Vasilescu - Ambasador Scientix pentru România - am ajuns la concluzia că probabil mesajul era scris de un susținător al echipei Știința Craiova, el exprimă un deziderat care ar trebuie să ne anime pe toți cei implicați în educația STEM.