Two Words, a Pause and a Smile

There are ten boys and three girls in Robotics Innovation Design this semester. One of the girls began the course very much engaged. The other two needed a bit more coaxing. One of these two girls did not even want to be in the course and lobbied heavily to switch to a different elective. Socializing, drinking water and going to the bathroom were the activities that she was most engaged in. That is why she stopped me in my tracks today with two words.

She and her partner, who are good friends outside of class, were designing their own challenge for the robots. Noticing them both hunched over the computer screen, I asked "OK. What are you doing?" She looked up at me, paused, and said rather matter-a-factly "I'm programming." 

I began to respond normally before I realized that this girl has probably never uttered those two words together before in her life. A beat went by. I smiled to myself and continued with my line of questioning. 

"I'm programming."

I love teaching robotics. Every single day brings something new, some realization by the kids or by me. It's just awesome. And I am quite stingy with that word. 

The Warehouse Challenge

Today was a great day. After barreling through many of the benchmark tasks like learning how to program the robots to move straight, turn, spin and reverse, the kids have been accomplishing various challenges. Two students, Eli and Asher are keeping me on my toes and forcing me to be super prepared each day. Yesterday, they completed how to capture and move an object. Today, I put it on them to build the next challenge for the students involving many of the moves they have learned including the capture object skill. Behold, The Warehouse, by Asher and Eli.

Robots will begin on the line, proceed forward to the Warehouse, capture the item within, maneuver somehow to exit on the right side and deliver the object in the square. That's one small square! Attempts should begin tomorrow. 

Robotics Benchmarks 1st Set

Today, the kids really began learning the EV3 programming software for their robots to make them move. They were following the Robot Educator, Basic instructions. They began with Straight Move. As they progressed, I realized that I needed some way to know quickly what the task was and a way to record their progress. I developed the following document for each team. They will keep these in their kits and give them to me when they wish to attempt a task or challenge.

RID Benchmarks Sem. 1

Robotics Innovation Design

Robotics Innovation Design- new middle school elective
Today was the second day for my pioneering middle school robotics students working with the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kits. The students opened the software and learned how to program one of the large motors while it was attached to the brick. Some of the things they learned are in the video below.

Below is an earlier video of the kids opening and organizing the EV3 kits.