MS Kids Build and Program a Self-Driving Robot

Purpose & objective

Purpose: Four middle school students will show to build and program a self-driving robot (via Poster Session)

Objectives:
Participants will be able to identify and explain the basic components of a self-driving robot and a robot kit.

Participants will be able to use programming to control the movement of a robot.

Participants will be able to program a robot to follow a path and avoid obstacles.
Participants will be able to see a robot kit.

Educational or Infrastructure Challenge/Situation:
Many middle school kids are interested in learning about robotics and coding, but they may not have access to the resources and support they need to get started. This presentation provides a hands-on opportunity for middle school kids to learn about self-driving robots and to build and program their own robot.

Technology Intervention:

This presentation uses a variety of technology tools, including:
Robots
Sensors (such as distance sensors and light sensors)
Programming software ( https://codeiq.vex.com/; which is based on .Scratch)
Obstacle course and challenge

Models Employed:
This presentation uses a constructivist approach to learning. Students learn by doing, and they are encouraged to be creative and to experiment. The presentation also uses a peer-learning model, where students work together in teams to build and program their robots.

Lesson Plans or Instructional Activities/Strategies Employed:
The presentation begins with an introduction to self-driving robots. Students learn about the different components of a self-driving robot and how they work together. Students then learn about programming basics and how to use programming to control the movement of a robot.

Students learn about real-world self-driving robots, especially the challenges that the self-driving taxis are experiencing in San Francisco!
Next, students work in teams to build and program their own self-driving robots. Students use a robot kit to build their robots, and they use programming software to program their robots to follow a path and avoid obstacles.
Finally, students test their robots on an obstacle course. Students can work together to improve their robots' performance and to compete against each other.

Lesson Plans: VEX IQ: Cube Collector: https://education.vex.com/stemlabs/iq/cube-collector

Evidence of Success:
This presentation has been successfully used with middle school kids of all skill levels. Students have enjoyed learning about self-driving robots and building and programming their own robots. Students have also developed important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.

Additional Information:
This presentation is designed for middle school students with no prior experience in robotics or programming. However, students who have some prior experience in these areas may benefit from the presentation as well.

Equity:
The DPS STEAM team aims to have the Robot Exhibitions at the STEAM Expo reflect the diversity of DPS. We will discuss our strategies for achieving this goal at the poster session.

It is important to reach diverse students with STEAM projects and curriculum because:
STEAM education can help to close the achievement gap. Students from underrepresented groups are less likely to pursue STEAM careers than their white and male peers. STEAM education can help to close this achievement gap by providing all students with the opportunity to learn about and develop an interest in STEAM subjects.

STEAM education can help to create a more equitable society. STEAM careers are some of the highest-paying jobs in the economy. By providing all students with access to STEAM education, we can help to create a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Outline

Outline of a presentation for four middle school students to show to build and program a self-driving robot:

Content and Activities
Introduction (5 minutes)
Students introduce themselves and their project.
They then explain what a self-driving robot is and how it works.
They can also show a video or pictures of a self-driving robot in action.
Example: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/14/business/driverless-cars-san-francisco-cruise/index.html

Building the Robot (5 minutes)
Students demonstrate how to build a self-driving robot using a kit.
They can explain the different components of the kit and how they work together.
They can also show how to connect the different components.

Programming the Robot (5 minutes)
Students demonstrate how to program a self-driving robot using programming software.
They can explain the basic principles of programming and how to use the software to control the robot's movement.
They can also show how to program their robot to follow a path and avoid obstacles.

Testing the Robot (5 minutes)
Students test their robots on an obstacle course.
They can also show how to troubleshoot any problems that they encounter.

Conclusion (5 minutes)
Students summarize what they have learned and answer any questions from the audience.
They can also encourage folks to learn more about self-driving robots and programming.
Time

Introduction: 5 minutes
Building the Robot: 5 minutes
Programming the Robot: 5 minutes
Testing the Robot: 5 minutes
Conclusion: 5 minutes
Coding Contest: 15 minutes
Total: 40 minutes (then repeat one-two times for next group/audience)

Process
Games or contests: Students will have a programming screen available with minimal code; they will challenge the audience to write/program a few blocks of code for the robot to complete a small task (example: drive in a circle; pick up a block). If the robot is successful, a prize will be awarded to the coder!.This will make the presentation more fun and engaging for the audience.

Engaging the Audience
Use of visuals. Visuals such as videos, pictures, and diagrams will be used at the booth to make the presentation more interesting and informative.

Supporting research

Articles
The role of robotics in connecting curriculum to deep, meaningful learning (https://www.iste.org/explore/entrsekt/The-role-of-robotics-in-connecting-curriculum-to-deep%2C-meaningful-learning)

13 Competitions To Get Your Students Fired Up About STEM(https://www.iste.org/explore/computer-science/13-competitions-get-your-students-fired-about-stem)

Engage Learners With Coding and Robotics(https://www.iste.org/explore/computer-science/engage-learners-coding-and-robotics)

7 Benefits of Robotics for Students(https://cie.spacefoundation.org/7-benefits-of-robotics-for-students/#:~:text=Robotics%20Can%20Teach%20Critical%20Learning%20Skills&text=Students%20can%20come%20up%20with,their%20ability%20to%20form%20hypotheses.)

Effects of Robotics Education on Young Children’s Cognitive Development (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9988604/)

Incorporating Robotics Across the Curriculum(https://www.edutopia.org/article/incorporating-robotics-across-curriculum/)

Using Robotics to Spark Engagement in Middle School Math(https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-robotics-to-spark-engagement-in-middle-school-math/)

Other Documentation
National Robotics Education Standards from the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (https://www.the-nref.org/)
Robotics in the Classroom: A Guide for Teachers from the National Science Foundation