5th Grade

Module 1:  Robotics and Automation

Students have been busy researching robots of different types and presenting information to their classmates.  They have learned what elements a robot must have to distinguish it from a machine. They have been exploring inputs and outputs of a robot by building a 'test bed' and testing the motors and sensors they will use on their robot.  They have also investigated the VEX robot construction kits by designing and building a toy with one or more moving parts.  Their robots will be built in groups and run through a series of design challenges.   The final design challenge is based on the "real world" problem of the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Power Plant where they used robots to assess and clean up the damage.

                                                  Toys made from the VEX Robotics Kits.

Testing input and output components before starting to build robots.

Making Modification to our robot to better complete the challenge.

Module 2:  Robotics and Automation Challenge

Students will learn about computer programming by being exposed to a variety of websites and tablet apps that provide the fundamental principles of programming.  They will then learn the "modkit" programming environment that the VEX robots use.  They will guide the movement of their robot by programming that movement and then downloading that program into their robot brain.  They will not be allowed to use the controller to move their robot during this module.  There is a series of design challenges of increasing difficulty for groups to put their robot through.  All students (regardless of programming experience) will be challenged and engaged during this module.

                                                  Robots removing "hazardous waste".

Programming our Robots!