Beginning Robotics 2005

1. Beginning Robotics 2005 Prairie Creek Elementary RoboClub

2. Robot of the Day • “Robot” from the TV series “Lost in Space • Favorite quote: “Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!” • Fictional: Portrayed by an actor inside a costume • Wore top half and walked around for moving scenes with cameras showing only the waist up • Wore full costume and stayed put for full length scenes

3. Welcome to PCE Robotics! • Agenda (what we’re gonna do today) • Introduction to LEGO Robotics • Description of PCE robotics program • Boring stuff • Questions and Answers • Your Coaches • Lloyd Lashbrook • Galen Kannarr: 972-238-5705 or galen.kannarr@ieee.org

4. Introduction to LEGO Robotics

5. What is a Robot? • Definition • A machine that is programmed to do jobs that are usually performed by a person • A device that automatically performs complicated often repetitive tasks • A mechanism guided by automatic controls • Robots, using LEGO? • Movie • Demo: Roverbot

6. Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System • Developed by Lego and MIT • Heart: the RCX • The brain of your robot • Contains a small computer • Sensor inputs to sense the world • Light sensor • Touch sensor • Outputs to control motors • Infrared port • Communicate with a PC • Communicate with another RCX • Speaker for beeps and music • Display tells you what is going on InfraredCommunication Sensor Inputs Display ControlButtons Sound Motor Outputs

7. Lots of PartsThis is not your father’s Lego set

8. PCE Beginning Robotics Program

9. Why are we here? • Students • To have fun • Coaches • To expose students to science and engineering concepts • To develop real-world problem-solving skills • To teach design and programming • To have fun • Parents • Because you were asked to come • To help the coaches and students achieve the above • To have fun

10. Goals • Basics • Learn to build an existing robot design • Learn to use Mindstorms 2.0 software • Learn to program simple behaviors by example • Advanced • Learn to design effective machines • Learn program complex behaviors • Compete in RISD elementary competition (May) • Be ready to enter FIRST Lego League competition • Next year • Kickoff in September, competition in December • A team of 6th graders just finished PCE’s first entry in FLL

11. Teams • We have 8 kits and software for 8 teams • 2-student teams seem to work best (1 robot and 1 computer to keep hands busy) • If more than 16 students sign up, some teams will have 3 members • Teams will stay together through May • Each team will have its own kit • Will be responsible for keeping it in order

12. Parental Support • Coaches cannot do it alone • What you can do for us: • Help students stay focused on the challenges • Enforce appropriate behavior • First stop for questions (“What was it the coach said?”) • Technical skills are not required • We need one parent per team each week • Rotate with other parents • Need to establish schedule for next 4 weeks tonight • Special volunteer opportunity: parent coordinator Parents: Your presence is crucial for a successful year

13. The Plan • Sign up by Friday • Include $5 annual dues • Form 8 teams (___ per team) • Parents work out rotation for support • Meet once each week in the evening • Will this time slot work? (Tuesday 7:00-8:30 p.m.) • Start next week, skipping spring break and TAKS • RISD G.E.A.R. robotics competition • Challenge kickoff probably after spring break • Competition probably May 7 • End-of-year party May 10

14. Weekly Routine • Introduction to activity • Break into teams to work on activity • Information sheet to help parent guide activity • “Extra credit” activities fill extra time and keep all team members busy • 8:20 p.m.—clean up • Kits in order: earn a treat • Preparation for RISD challenge less structured One parent present with each team.

15. Boring Stuff

16. Budget

17. RoboClub Rules • Attend regularly and be on time • Your teammates need you • It will be hard to catch up • Respect your teammate, other teams, adults, and LEGO pieces • In particular, use only polite language and behavior • Use LEGO pieces appropriately • Although LEGO art is cool, it won’t help you solve the challenge • Keep your kit in order • When using computers, stick to robotics activities • No web surfing or game playing • Consequences: • Sit out • Call parents, go home early • Expulsion from robotics

18. E-Mail • We want to use e-mail for most of our communication • Much more efficient than paper • More reliable than word of mouth • E-mail group established with Yahoo! Groups • Set up as a newsletter (not a discussion group) • About once a week • Only coaches can send or see member list • Student and parents are all encouraged to subscribe • See me for changes, additions, or problems • Expect to see a couple of welcome messages in your in-box this week

19. HELP WANTED! • Apprentice Robotics Coach • Play with LEGOs! • Play with kids! • Earn $100,000* • On-the-job training through 2006 • Will be groomed as heir apparent to head coach’s position • Technical skills helpful; willingness to learn better *$100,000 offer not good on planet Earth

20. What’s next? • Parent and student discuss commitment • Decide together • Sign up and find teammate(s) by Friday • Turn in forms and $5 to Mr. Lashbrook • We start next week!

21. Questions? Answers!

22. Thanks for coming!See You Next Week! Tuesday, January 18 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

23. Parent Schedule

24. Teams