1.
A 21st Century Rubric For District Robotics Success:
A Buyer's Guide & Hands On Experience with
Robotics Platforms
Daniel Downs and Kathy Dasho
http://bit.ly/2FkVZDI

2.
District Vision For Robotics &
Digital Learning/Computer Science:
● K-5: Digital Learning/Computer Science & Robotics Integrated and
Embedded Within Curriculum: Embedded in Digital Learning Block
● 6-8: Digital Literacy & Computer Science Course and Robotics 1 & 2
Robotics club for Middle School students since 2012
● 9-12: Introduced 1 course(Robotics Academy( Vex EDR) in 2016
additional course(Robotics II:Tetrix) in 2017 and FIRST Robotics
Team and Change Team Help Desk students have been active with
Robotics since 2015

3.
Deeper Look Goal Setting:
● Language based review of DLCS standards and Co-
Teaching in Elementary for more enhanced instructional
opportunities with computer science and robotics
● District wide development of Robotics Competencies to
scale student learning and curriculum alignment
● Continue refine course sequences at all levels and review
student skill sets and their appropriate mapping

4.
Our Process:
● Our process began with expanding the Digital Learning Specialist
position into all schools and having the embedding learning block
(2015)
● Digital Literacy & CS teaching positions in the middle school were
created in 2012-13 and an additional position in 2015.
● The business department which had the web page design course as
its main technology offering added the Robotics Academy course to
its offerings and within the year the department has been renamed
to Digital Learning & Entrepreneurship. This department plans to
expand CS and STEAM related courses and cross list with
departments with overarching standards and skills.

5.
Why Robotics in the Curriculum?
1. Students are engaged
2. Effective way of introducing programming into
curriculum
3. Provides skills useful in future employment
such as collaboration
4. Accessible for students with a range of
abilities.
5. Demystifies a complex technology

6.
Higher Order Skills
❏ Plenty of resources are available
on the internet for teachers, for
example, robot kits such as Lego
Mindstorms and Vex Robotics,
simple programmable robots such
as Sphero balls, and lesson plans.
Sophisticated, engaging robots
such as the NAO robot are also
available.
❏ Robots lend themselves to do-it-
yourself activities. For example, a
colleague builds robots using a 3D
printer and uses his smart phone
as an interactive device to
communicate with the printed
robot.

7.
Robots in the
Curriculum
Robotics engages
students
https://youtu.be/ZY8KKU-6j8Y

8.
Course Competencies Description/Resources Required Skills Digital Literacy & Computer Science Strands
Project Management Middle
School:complexity,applicati
on-- Design Process with
Technology/Project
Management-
Adaptability”adaptability of
robotic-input-output)
Generating ideas
Identifying Criteria and Specifying
Constraints
Communicating Results
Identifying a problem
CT: Computational Thinking a. Abstraction
Autonomous Movement &
Programming For
Decision Making
Middle School:autonomy
and pre-programming
decision making
Program a robot using software to do
several autonomous tasks.
Testing and evaluating a design
Refining a design
CT: Computational Thinking a. Abstraction b.
Algorithms c. Data d. Programming and
Development e. Modeling and Simulation
Iterative Design Process &
Advanced Problem
Solving
Middle School:iteration of
process----engineering
design process,deconstruct
and (Advanced Problem
Solving)(debugging skills)
Problem analysis
Critical thinking
Logical thinking programming skills
Essential vocabulary
Engineering Design Process
Troubleshooting, invention, innovation, and
experimentation
CT: Computational Thinking a. Abstraction b.
Algorithms c. Data d. Programming and
Development e. Modeling and Simulation
Teamwork &
Accountability
Middle School:
Grit/Resilience Project
Teams & Accountability
Team cooperation
Leadership and responsibility
CT: Computational Thinking a. Abstraction b.
Algorithms c. Data d. Programming and
Development e. Modeling and Simulation

9.
Designing Elegant
Solutions
(ELegant
solutions,simplicity of
code)
Programming switches and loops
Deconstructing code and seeing patterns in
the code
Simplifying code
Reusing subroutines
Programming Practice
Robotic Building:
Understanding Basic
Structures
Middle School:Background
in basic structures(mini-
challenges)
Making a model or prototype
Inventory of parts
Part types and use
Mechanical Design
Sub-assemblies
CS: Computing Systems a. Computing Devices b.
Human and Computer Partnerships c. Networks d.
Services
Robotics Hardware &
Software
Student Knowledge about
the Lego and Vex IQ
Platforms and the software
and hardware capabilities
that are used.
Sensors,building
components
Programming Languages
Input, output ports
Connector cables
Handling the equipment
Charging the brick
Downloading the code onto the brick
Connecting sensors to the brick

10.
Robotics Academy: Robotics Competencies
In Robotics Academy, students design, fabricate, program, and use task-oriented
robots. Students demonstrate mastery by building robots utilizing a variety of sensors
and combine them with a controller to build a complete system designed to accomplish
a task. The fundamentals of problem-solving, program design, algorithms, and
programming using a high-level language are central to this course. This course
includes the study of current industrial, commercial, governmental, and competitive
robotics. Students are expected to keep a web-based notebook at every phase of the
design process. Upon the completion of each project, students present their results in a
formal presentation. No previous experience in robotics, electronics, or mechanics is
necessary.

11.
Course Competencies Description/Resources Required Skills Digital Literacy & Computer Science Strands
Introduction to Pseudo-
code
Pseudocode is a set of basic
steps that the human can use
to write the program
Write some pseudocode for a program
which moves as long as a touch sensor is
not pressed, but stops and turns to the right
if its sonar detects an object less than 20in
away.
CT: Computational Thinking a. Abstraction b.
Algorithms c. Data d. Programming and
Development e. Modeling and Simulation
Breaking Programs into
Behaviors
Basic rules on how to think
about programming and
syntax
Basic Behaviors Example: Turn on Motor
Port 3 at half power
Simple Behaviors Example: Move forward
for 2 seconds
Complex Behaviors Example: Follow a
defined path through an entire maze
CT: Computational Thinking a. Abstraction b.
Algorithms c. Data d. Programming and
Development e. Modeling and Simulation
Introduction to Natural
Language Programming
Reference Documents Sample Commands: Usage with
Parameters: forward(63);
untilTouch(dgtl10); stop();
CT: Computational Thinking a. Abstraction b.
Algorithms c. Data d. Programming and
Development e. Modeling and Simulation
Robotic Building Vex Kits - Robot Building
Instructions
Build ClawBot CS: Computing Systems a. Computing Devices b.
Human and Computer Partnerships c. Networks d.
Services
Wireless System
Configuration
Setup and configure Vex
Cortex wireless
communications
Setup and test wireless communications
using cortex and joystick (controller)
CS: Computing Systems a. Computing Devices b.
Human and Computer Partnerships c. Networks d.
Services
Wired System
Configuration
Configure a wired system Setup and test wired communications using
cortex and joystick (controller)
CS: Computing Systems a. Computing Devices b.
Human and Computer Partnerships c. Networks d.
Services

12.
Virtual Robot
Configuration
Virtual Robot vs Physical
robot
How to use Robot Virtual
Worlds
Complete virtual program
Coderz
DTC: Digital Tools and Collaboration a. Digital
Tools b. Collaboration and Communication c.
Research
Movement Challenge:
Labyrinth Challenge
Moving Forward - Level one
programming
The Labyrinth Challenge
requires students to program
their robot to travel a specific
distance, turn accurately, and
then repeat these behaviors
multiple times.
Reversing Motor Polarity
Renaming Motors
Timing
Teamwork & Collaboration
Moving Forward Programming and
Engineering Investigation
Motor Power Levels
Turn and Reverse
Manual Straightening
Sentry Simulation
Shaft Encoders
Forward for Distance
While Loops
Boolean Logic
Sensor Debug Window
Forward and Turning
Automated Straightening - If/Else,
variables, values
Values and Variables
Integrated Encoders - IMEs, PID, precise
movement
Principles of PID
Forward for Distance PID
Forward for Target Distance
CS: Computing Systems a. Computing Devices b.
Human and Computer Partnerships c. Networks d.
Services
DTC: Digital Tools and Collaboration a. Digital
Tools b. Collaboration and Communication c.
Research
CAS: Computing and Society a. Safety and
Security b. Ethics and Laws c. Interpersonal and
Societal Impact
CT: Computational Thinking a. Abstraction b.
Algorithms c. Data d. Programming and
Development e. Modeling and Simulation

13.
Lego Bee
Bots
Lego
We Do
Finch
Robots
Ozo
bots
Sphero Edison
Robots
Lego EV3 Vex
Robotics IQ
and EDR
Tetrix Robotics
89.95
https://ww
w.bee-
bot.us/be
e-bot/bee-
bot.html
Bundles:
499.95
189.95
Core
Set
Lego
Educat
ion
99.00
https://s
tore.bir
dbraint
echnolo
gies.co
m/prod
uct-p/fr-
1.htm
49.00
or
1,199.
00 kit
of 12
https:/
/ozob
ot.co
m/ste
m-
educa
tion/st
129.99
https://
store.s
phero.c
om/coll
ections
/educat
ion
49.00
https://mee
tedison.co
m/product/
edpack1/
411.95
Core Set
EDR
439.00
Classroom
Bundle:
5299.99
IQ Super
Kit 329.99
Classroom
Bundle
3849.99
https://www.tetri
xrobotics.com/T
ETRIX_MAX
Robots and Robot Kit Information
Elementary Robots
Middle - HS Robots

14.
Inquiry Based
Robotics Objectives
❏ Allow students to gain an understanding of
what is being taught
❏ layout for students the standards being
taught and what they will be assessed on
❏ Rubrics are available in many different forms
that teachers can use to provide purpose for
students in conjunction with their desire to
play
❏ allow students to work towards the idea they
will be assessed.
❏ Set up workflow throughout the classroom to
make sure that time is not wasted in locating
materials, groups are working in their own
autonomous spaces, time management
processes to ensure that accomplishments
are met.

15.
Bee-Bot

16.
Bee-Bot Lesson

17.
Ozobot Sample
Lesson

18.
OzoBots in
Kindergarten Lesson
Teacher showed the kindergarten
students an example of an obstacle
course and then had them make
their own. We let them pick from 4-5
of the materials in the Makerspace
to make their course.
https://durangoherald.com/articles/208659

19.
Ozobots (Cont’d.)

20.
OzoBlockly Coding
Blocks
(similar to Scratch)

21.
Lego EV3
❏ Good for upper elementary,
middle and High School
❏ Block programming
❏ Simple to complex
❏ Easily integrated into
curriculum

22.
EV3 has Lego
Curriculum,
numerous books,
and Carnegie Mellon
Video Trainor

23.
Challenges from
Lego Curriculum

24.
EV3 Block based
Programming
Interface

25.
Sample EV3 Lesson

26.
Text-based
program using
RobotC for EV3

27.
EV3 Challenges

28.
Robot Club Activity:

29.
Teacher Resources:
Resources for teachers:
Teacher resources abound online to begin using LEGO
Robotics in the classroom to teach all subject matter.
Here are a few places to begin to explore:
● https://stanleymoskes-lausd-
ca.schoolloop.com/search/search_results?d=x&se
arch_term=+robotics. This website offers an
extensive list of lessons that teachers can begin
with addressing a host of standards. Within the
Stanley Mosk Home Page search Robotics Locker
to get to this fantastic repertoire of lessons.
● https://education.lego.com/en-
us/elementary/intro/science Nice place to begin to
gain a better understanding of the potential of
robotics to address learning in a classroom.
● Another great source for curriculum ideas is at the
Power Point: Yes-you-can-an-easy-way-to-integrate-
robotics-into-any-curriculum.pptx. Simply copy and
paste this into a Google search and the power point
from Georgetown University will appear.

30.
Teacher Resources
Tufts Center for Engineering and
Outreach
http://ceeo.tufts.edu/outreach/LEGOEn
gineering.htm
https://sites.google.com/site/ceeooutre
ach/
https://www.wpi.edu/academics/stem-
education-center/professional-
development/center
http://www.legoengineering.com/
http://robotics.cs.uml.edu/k12educatio
n.php

31.
Vex IQ or Vex EDR ❏ Uses RobotC to program
❏ Free curriculum when you
purchase kits
❏ Vex IQ - Middle School
❏ Vex EDR - High School

32.
Also available:
$499.00
Vex IQ and Vex EDR
Video Trainor

33.
Vex EDR Video
Trainer Topics

34.
Planning and Using

35.
Vex EDR Unit
Topics and
Challenges

36.
Scope and Sequence

37.
Vex IQ Programming
and Vex EDR
Programming
Vex IQ Syllabus

38.
Bins purchased at
Wal-Mart to store
robot and components

39.
Vex EDR Robots:
Minefield Challenge

40.
Vex EDR Sentry
Challenge using
Encoders
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMH0f5H17d
rh1U8oE3Dg8ZqD65Z67Vct_4xuGQ_

41.
Mid Term Student
Video:

42.
Vex EDR Work
Habit Rubric

43.
Engineering
Journal Rubric

44.
CoderZ
Block-based Robot
Simulation

45.
Block Language
● Scratch is taught in our elementary and
Middle (6th), so CoderZ provides a
familiar block based interface

46.
Tetrix
Programming
https://www.tetrixr
obotics.com/Classr
oom/

47.
Additional
Curriculum
Resources

48.
https://www.techykids.com/comparing-the-different-

49.
We Do Curriculum
Grids

50.
Thank you!