ROBOTICS PLATFORMS USED IN THE PRISM PROJECT
Cubelets: Cubelets are small block-sized computers that snap together to create a variety of robot configurations using 3 block types: sense cubelets that take in input (light, distance, temperature), think cubelets that process input and send signals, and act cubelets that perform an action (play sound, move, illuminate). A LEGO attachment allows students to add further design elements to their robots. Cubelets are a good entry technology that introduces programming concepts such as input/output without the need to know programming, although the app supports programming of remote control and personality. The Bluetooth cubelet lets students use Blockly programs to control their creations. Cubelets challenges align with subject areas such as biology (e.g., design a robot to represent an animal seeking food or an interdependent system), physical science (e.g., illustrate amplitude and frequency through sensor response, model energy flow), and math (e.g., using output of a bar graph cubelet to display a weighted average of sensed details). View the Cubelets Resources Page from PRISM.
|
Sphero RVR: The Sphero RVR is a rolling robot that can be programmed to address challenges such as escaping mazes with an LED matrix that provides data output. The Sphero RVR adds additional features not found in a basic Sphero ball such as color and light sensors. Sphero challenges align with subject areas in math (e.g., measuring distance and angles to navigate the robot through a physical course) and science (e.g., use the robot to act as the force of erosion in a mock environment, program the robot to model distances of planets from the sun by stopping and blinking). View the Sphero RVR Resources Page from PRISM.
|
mBot: The mBot by MakeBlock kit includes a constructible, programmable robot and gizmo add-ons with both sensors (touch, sound, temperature/humidity, sound, line following) and effectors (LEDs, servos). An LED matrix displays data. mBot challenges or "life hacks" pose problems from different subject areas, including earth science (e.g., program a weather station to sense temperature/humidity) and engineering (e.g., construct and program a prosthetic hand or self-driving vehicle to complete a task). View the mBot Resources Page from PRISM.
|
LEGO EV3: EV3 is a constructible, programmable robot with a sensor adapter for integration with Vernier probeware. EV3 challenges are available from LEGO in the subject areas of design engineer (e.g., design a robot that senses colors and sorts items), space (e.g., design a robot to probe a simulated environment for such features as electricity, magnetism, and geology), and science (e.g., use probeware on robotics to collect temperature data in simulated greenhouses). Additional challenges are available to promote coding around transportation concepts (e.g., cruise control, autonomous vehicles), and makerspaces (e.g., sound machine, security gadget). View the LEGO EV3 Resources Page from PRISM.
|