Teacher Notes: This Lesson May Take 2 Forms

Teacher notes: This lesson may take 2 forms. It can be used as an independent Web Quest with students taking on the roles of an investigator, journalist or designer to complete the objectives OR teachers may facilitate the learning as a whole class project. Robotics Lesson Plan

Day 1- Learners will identify robots around us. What are robots and how are they different from other machines? List attributes generated by the students. Show students “What Makes a Robot” document and discuss the list of items. Use the “Am I a Robot?” sheet for independent practice or group response (thumbs up or thumbs down). After students have a grasp on robotic elements, assign them to digitally photograph ‘robots’ in their environment. Organize pictures into a class poster using Word or Power Point.

Day 2- 4 Allow students time to research robots in various roles in our society. A list of web sites is included but, depending on the skill level of the students, they may explore using various search engines such as Google, Alta Vista, Ask Jeeves or others. Distribute planning and presentation sheets at this time for direction in note taking and presentation preparation. Remind them to copy the URL for a bibliography or copyright information. Assist students in organizing a file or using a disk for saving pictures they may find to later use in their presentations.

Day 5- After sufficient data has been obtained students may begin developing a multimedia presentation using Power Point, Publisher, Director or other software programs. They will answer the following questions about how robots are used to help man. 1. Who do they help? 2. How do they help people? 3. What kind of robots are used for certain tasks? 4. When and where are they used? 5. Why do we use robots? Students should closely follow guidelines on their planning and presentation sheets as they develop their product. A presentation rubric will be used to evaluate the product.

Day 7- Allow groups to share their presentations to the class.

Day 8- Robotic Arm Challenge: See instructions on document included. (Using just the materials and tools provided, construct a robot arm that can extend, pick up, and securely hold the object provided by the teacher. You will have 15 minutes to complete your task. Be prepared to demonstrate your invention to the class.) Students should take turns demonstrating their creations to the class using a document camera to ensure a clear view to all. Practice picking up different objects with the arm if time.

D ay 9- Learners will create a “Robot for Sale” flyer from the personal view point of the robot. They will choose two facts from their previous research to incorporate in a creatively written publication. They may either draw their robot on paper and then scan it into their flyer or create a design in Kid Pix 3 or other drawing programs. See “Create an Advertisement” document for student directions and Publication Rubric for evaluation guidelines.

Day 10- Students will create a webpage based on a robot they design. After proceeding through the Web Quest or independent research, they will discover elements necessary for certain tasks in robotics. They will then design their own robot using information from their research. The web page will cover the robotic design needed to accomplish a specific task, an owner’s manual for use and care of the robot, and a creative history. They will analyze necessary elements to justify the creation of their own robot.

Day 11- ENRICHMENT: The next lesson will require a LEGO Dacta kit, “Robotics Invention System”, with motors and RCX. The RCX is a microcomputer which receives input from an infrared tower that attaches to the computer. Students can create a small programmable robot to accomplish simple tasks. In our sample lesson we used Amusement Park kits to assemble “rides”. This can be enhanced by having students set up a park simulation being as creative as time allows. Participants brainstorm, analyze, design and develop in small collaborative groups to complete this project. Kits come with full instructional blueprints for students to follow. If they are advanced engineers they may create their own design. The possibilities are endless! (for kit information see www.lego.com)