FROM R2 TO R2Robotics in Space

When you think of robots in space, what comes to mind?

Science Fiction leads to…

Science Fact!

Curiosity

Mission GoalsGoal 1: Determine whether life ever arose on Mars

Goal 2: Characterize the climate of Mars

Goal 3: Characterize the geology of Mars

Goal 4: Prepare for human exploration

Robonaut 2

4 Ds of Robotics• Dangerous• Dull• Delicate• Dirty

Robonaut 2 emerges from a packing crate with the help of NASA astronaut Catherine Coleman. Photo Credit/NASA TV

LEGO Mindstorms

“Oh, you actually DO something in your class? I

thought you just played with LEGOs.”

LEGO Mindstorms

• Application of classroom concepts

• Technical reading• Task-oriented problem solving• Career exploration• High interest• Connections to “real engineering”• Teamwork and group dynamics

Activity 1: Blind Build 1

1. Choose a partner.2. Each person needs to retrieve a bag of LEGOs from

the table.3. Determine who in your pair is taller. That person will

be Leader 1. The other will be Leader 2.4. Using only the LEGO pieces in your bag, Leader 1 will

create a structure using fewer than 10 pieces.

Hide your structure from your partner. NO PEEKING!!

Activity 1: Blind Build 1

Leader 1:Give Leader 2 instructions on how to build your structure.

Describe the pieces the best you can. • Length• Color• Shape• Use

Hide your structure from your partner. NO PEEKING!!

Activity 1: Blind Build 1

Debrief:

Successes?

Challenges?

Nomenclature

no·men·cla·ture

1. The devising or choosing of names for things, esp. in a science or other discipline.

2. The body or system of such names in a particular field: "the nomenclature of chemical compounds".

Why is nomenclature important?

LEGO Nomenclature

Resources:

• 9797 LEGO Education Users Guide pdf

• Page 69 in Building Guide in kit

• Measuring Card

Activity 2: Blind Build 2

Leader 2:Using fewer than ten pieces, create a structure different from the one you built earlier.

Give Leader 1 instructions on how to build your structure.

This time, use LEGO nomenclature to describe the pieces and placement in your structure.

Hide your structure from your partner. NO PEEKING!!

Activity 2: Blind Build 2

Debrief:

How did the addition of nomenclature change this activity?

How can this apply to teamwork as a whole?

ResourcesCuriosity:

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/

Robonaut 2:

http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/default.asphttp://science.howstuffworks.com/robonaut.htm

ART BOTS5 – Block Programming

Turn your robot on.

Use the right, light grey arrow to toggle to the NXT Program menu and press the orange

button to select.

This screen tells students which ports use for motors and

sensors.

Press the orange button to bypass.

Programming Screen

5 – Block Programming

1 2 3 4 5

Blocks 1&3: Forward, Back, Turn Right, Turn Left, Back Right, Back Left, Back Right 2, Back Left 2

Either Block 1 or Block 3 MUST be a turn.

Blocks 2&4: Empty

Block 5: Loop

5 – Block Programming

Debrief:

What did you discover?

MOVING FORWARD5 – Block Programming

5 – Block Programming

1 2 3 4 5

Block 1: Forward

Block 2: Wait 5

Blocks 3&4: Empty

Block 5: Stop

Measuring Distance

Leader 1: Start robot and measure final distance

Leader 2: Measure final distance.Trial Distance (cm)

1

2

3

Repeat this test with each type of wheel.

Measuring Distance

What can we learn about our robot by analyzing these sets of data?

Measuring Distance

Challenge:

Using any set of wheels, create a program that will allow

your robot to travel EXACTLY

Measuring Distance

Debrief:

What curricular connections are made in this lesson?

ResourcesLEGO® Mindstorms® NXT Education Base Kit - $300LEGO® Mindstorms® Education Resource Kit - $100LEGO® Mindstorms® NXT Education Software v2.1 (1 seat) - $80

LEGO® Mindstorms® EV3 Core Set - $340LEGO® Mindstorms® EV3 Expansion Set - $100LEGO® Mindstorms® EV3 Software (1 seat) - $100

http://www.legoeducation.us