Grade Level:
9-12
Prerequisites:
9th grade general math and science
Concepts Addressed:
In this unit, students will learn about how the field of robotics operates and how robots work. Students will learn about the role of robots in society and how they are used in all aspects of STEM education.
Learning Objectives:
- The students will be able to discuss how robots are used today in industry, research and in education.
- The students will be able to explain what the different basic components of a robot are and how they perform their function.
- The students will be able to correctly produce entries into their engineering notebook.
- The students will be able to assemble the VEX Clawbot using the directions provided in the kit.
STEM Connections:
The concepts of how robots are have been developed to work in industry, and in research both in autonomous and teleoperated control will be featured.
The relationship between the different subsystems and how they come together to produce a functioning robot that will be able to complete a task will be introduced.
Materials Needed:
- Unit Guide
- Paper
- Pencils
- Rulers
- Internet Access
- Dictionaries
- VEX Robotics Kit
- Computers with Autodesk Inventor
- Storage containers
- Online Resources
Key Terminology:
- Robot
- Robotics
- Subsystem
- Manipulators
- Control System
- Sensors
- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Drivetrain
- Actuators
- Servo
- Ultrasonic Range Finder
- Gyroscope
- Light Sensor
- Optical Encoders
- Microcontroller
- Autonomous
Day to Day Lesson Plan:
Day 1:
Begin this unit by finding out what the students know about robots. They can make a list of all of the robots that they have encountered or they may sketch what they believe a robot looks like. Introduce the unit beginning with the history of where the term robot comes from. Review the Basic Components of a Robot.
Day 2:
Review Uses and Examples of Robots. Students can conduct research on the different NASA missions that have included robotic applications as well as different designs of robots that have been used in law enforcement and industrial applications.
Day 3:
Explain why robotics is being used in education and introduce the VEX robotics kit. Review the subsystems that they will need to assemble to complete the construction of the Clawbot. Include a presentation on the hardware that is included in the kit and the use of the Allen keys and open ended wrenches. Begin Clawbot Construction. Have students take notes on the building process into their Engineering Notebook.
Day 4:
Continue Clawbot construction. Remember to charge batteries for testing.
Day 5:
Complete the construction of the Clawbot.
Day 6:
Have students drive their robots in the classroom using the joysticks.
Day 7:
Evaluations
Assessment of vocabulary
Engineering Notebook
Review any concepts that were challenging for the students.
Engineering Notebook “Seed Questions”:
- How do robots benefit society?
- Explain how the different subsystems work together.
- How does the installation of sensors improve the functioning of the robot?