Introduction to robotics programming

Objective:
Discover new hands-on builds and programming opportunities to further their understanding of the subject matter. Then proceed to test the build, observe how it functions, and fuel their logic and reasoning skills through imaginative, creative play. Finally understand the core concepts and how to apply them to different situations.

Description:
The school will organise a series of basic robotics workshops to students which provide concrete, contextualised lessons that seamlessly integrate grade-level mathematics, programming and engineering activities for students. The workshops will provide various components including main controller, LED, battery, motor, bumper switch, radio, and sensors of colour, distance and gyro for students to design, build, program, manage and drive their robots. Students can control their robots by programs to sense ambient changes in temperature, pressure, light, sound, etc., and to respond by adjusting the robots' movement to complete simple tasks like watering plants, dispensing drugs, parking, loading/ unloading objects and so on.

Hardware
  • Programmable robotics kits & sensors
  • Obstacles like balls, cubes and cones
  • PC / laptop / tablet computer with Internet connection
Software
  • Robotics SDK / APIs
  • Common programming languages like Scratch / Javascript / C# / Python / Java / C++
Major Activities
  1. Theoretical session covering:
    1. Basic introduction to robotics
    2. The characteristics and scope of technology
    3. Develop an understanding of engineering design
  2. Practical session covering:
    1. Understanding the structure of robots
    2. Getting accustomed to how robots move
    3. Programming robots
    4. How to employ sensors to automate robots
  3. Share the challenges and lesson learnt
Learning Objective(s)
  • How to collaborate in groups and teams
  • How to design robots for specific activities and scenarios
  • How to use the robot programming software
  • Learn about controlling distance and using sensors to avoid obstacles.
  • Gears, pulleys, torque, friction, timing, sensors, and program loops
  • To design, develop and complete robotic activities and challenges
Duration
  • Theoretical session: 4 hours
  • Practical session: 9 hours
Difficulty
  • Medium
Target Level
  • Basic session : S1 - S2
  • Moderate level session : S3 - S4
Target No. of Students About 20 students per workshop