ROBOTICS

and Project Based Learning

HOUR OF CODE http://csedweek.org/

Capek’s Robota1921

Czech playwright Karl Capek popularizes the term "robot" in a play called "R.U.R. (Rossums Universal Robot)." The word comes from the

Czech robota, which means drudgery or forced work. The play ends with robots taking over the

earth and destroying their makers.

Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics1942

American science fiction author Isaac Asimov publishes a short story, "Runaround," that

introduces the "Three Laws of Robotics"--rules that every robot is programmed to obey:

1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come

to harm.2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would

conflict with the First Law.3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with

the First or Second Law.

Rosie the Robot 1962

Rosie the robot appears on The Jetsons, an animated TV program about a family from the future. The iconic house maid becomes one of

the best-known robot characters in recent history.

StarWars1977

R2-D2 and C-3PO appear in George Lucas' Star Wars films.

Furby1998

A fuzzy, batlike robot called Furby becomes the must-have toy of the holiday season. The $30 toys seemingly "evolve" over time, first speaking in gibberish but

soon developing the use of preprogrammed English phrases. More than 27 million of the toys sold in a 12-

month period.

Asimo 2000

Honda's humanoid robot ASIMO steps onto the stage. Standing 1.3 meters tall, it can walk and

run with a near-human gait.

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a learning by doing approach to education. Rigorous projects are carefully planned, managed, and assessed to help students learn key academic content, practice 21st Century Skills (such as collaboration, communication & critical thinking), and create high-quality, authentic products & presentations.

Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Project Based Learning is generally done by groups of students working together toward a common goal. Performance is assessed on an individual basis, and takes into account the quality of the product produced, the depth of content understanding demonstrated, and the contributions made to the ongoing process of project realization.

LEGO MINDSTORM NXT ROBOT KITS

The physics project is a STEM project that includes science, technology, engineering and math. The learning begins . . . .

Physics students were givena kit of LEGO bricks, a NXT brick (a small computer to control the robot), and a computer program.

After completing the kit inventory, the students were challenged to build a basic robot and make the robot move by learning how to use the computer program.

Now for the project challenges: Their robot must -1.Go to the moon, make a complete lunar orbit, and then return safely to Earth.2.Participate in a parade to celebrate the successful completion of their lunar orbit and safe return.3.Return to the moon, transverse into a crater, collect a sample of lunar metal, move through a change in terrain, maneuver around a lunar mountain, then return safely to the lunar base.