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Robogals ANU Training Workshop. Training Workshop Overview. What we do and why What volunteering involves Lego Mindstorm School workshops Workshop introductions Food Break! School workshops Modules Teaching Tips. Please ask questions ! . Volunteering for Robogals. The Problem.
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Training Workshop Overview • What we do and why • What volunteering involves • Lego Mindstorm • School workshops • Workshop introductions • Food Break! • School workshops • Modules • Teaching Tips • Please askquestions!
The Problem • In 2011, only 9.6% of engineers in Australia were female. (Engineers Australia, 2011) • Fewer than 12% of Year 12s are studying advanced maths, and rates for physics and chemistry are similar • The problem compounds: • Tech has the 'guys only' stigma • Often, girls don't get the same amount of exposure to • Leads to disinterest in engineering and related fields
What We Do and How You Fit In • University student volunteers visit schools to conduct LEGO robotics workshops aimed at girls aged 8-16 to: • Introduce ‘engineering’ to their vocabulary • Show that engineering is fun and worthwhile • Provide positive role models • The purpose is for them to have fun – success in the activity is often secondary :P
Committee and Contacts Email: name@robogals.org.au Eg. sam@robogals.org.au
Introduction Purpose: Introduce yourselves, engineering, and Robogals • Robogals is an international, student-run volunteer organisation aiming to... • Hi, my name is... • All volunteers introduce themselves • What is engineering? Do you know any engineers? • Keep it simple and non-technical • Specifics and suggested “speech” in appendix in handbooks
Introduction: Robo-people Idea: Engineers design to fulfil a need • Ask: what is a robot, what is it for? • Four volunteers: Robot, 3 programmers • Robot: Earmuffs, blindfold, pinch nose, hand in pocket • Programmer: Gives robots instructions • Instruction consists of: part, action, amount. • Ask students to give ‘robot’ a part, repeat x2 • Explain that engineers design robots for a task in order to fulfil a need
Introduction: Cards Idea: Introduce different engineering disciplines • Does anyone know what an engineer does? • There are many types of engineering... – give out cards and get them to match them with each other/robot • Let’s go around the room and find out what some of the disciplines are – see if you can come up with another example • Let’s try some engineering out for ourselves.
Introduction: YouTube Vids Idea: Get students interested in engineering with new and unusual technology • Run through different disciplines of engineering • Pick two or three videos • About each, talk/ask the students about: • Applications of the technologies • Current development, what is left to do • What disciplines of engineering are involved
Explaining the Robots • Physical robot • Programming • Explain Challenge • What to do now • Manual vs. Us
Programming • Allow students to work at their own pace • When explaining: • Try not to touch the laptop/robot • Step them through a similar problem • Get them to think of ways to solve the problem • Leave them to do it! Then come back.
Challenge • Specific challenge will be decided upon by volunteer group • Suggestions: • A robot dance-off • A race around the class room • Obstacle course • Letter writing activity
Challenges • Here are some ideas of challenges • They are starting points – you will have to adjust them for each visit according to number of students, age, experience, and equipment
Robot-Writing • Objective: Gives students the chance to experiment with moving the robot • Aim: Get the NXT to write out a letter and collectively write out a word • Description: • Each group of students given a letter • Robots are programmed to write the letter on butchers paper • Volunteers tape a texta to the front of the robot and the programme is run
Obstacle Course • Objective: Get students to use sensors and move the robot • Aim: Get the NXT through the course as fast as possible • Description: • The course is marked out with masking tape/boxes/laptop cases • Robots are programmed to get through course • Heats and then a final is run to find the winner
Module: X Marks the Spot • Objective: Solve a problem with several solutions • Aim: Programme robot to find the “X”. • Square frame set up with an “X” marked with masking tape • Variations • Non-competitive exercise (success if it finds the “X”) • Time trial (one at a time, time how long) • Free for all (all at once)
Module: Robo-lypics • Objective: Creative solutions to open problems • Aim: Win events • Suggested Events: • 100m sprint • Skiing/slalom • Gymnastics • Boxing • Anything else you can think of. Not swimming.
Tips for: • Talking to the Group • Helping them Figure it Out • Distracted Students • Obvious Division of Ability
In Case of Emergency… • If no robots are available (e.g. two lessons are scheduled for the same time): • Guest Speaker • Building Challenge
Building Challenge • Objective: A fun non-programming activity • Aim: Build the tallest tower • Big group: explain the goal, then come up with requirements (e.g. Must be stable). Choose top three. • Small groups: • Provide them with paper and let them fill out a parts list of 20 pieces. • Swap the lists. Let them pick 20 more pieces on top of that, and give time to build. • Test according to requirements (tallest, stability)
