This document outlines the daily agenda and reflections for a 19-day robotics workshop using Lego Mindstorms NXT kits. Each day covers different robotics concepts like definitions of robots, sensors, processors, actuators and programming. Students build a tri-bot robot and learn programming concepts like touch sensors, sound blocks, loops and ultrasonic sensors. The agenda culminates in students designing final projects to demonstrate their learning, and a showcase for parents on the last day. Key topics covered include types of movement, writing directions, debugging programs and working as a team.

1. 1
Lego NXT MindstormsLego NXT Mindstorms
Robotics

2. 2
Robotics Introduction
 What is a Robot?
What are examples of a robot?
What can robots do?
What can’t robots do?
How are robots used in our daily lives?

3. 3
Definition of a Robot
 What is a Robot?
A robot is a device
that is built to
independently perform
actions and interact
with its surroundings.

4. 4
Watch Video Clips
 After watching the video clips…
Which of the clips showed actual
“robots?”
Explain the difference between a robot
and a remote controlled machine/toy

5. 5
Day 2 - Reflection
 How are robots used in our daily lives?
What is possible with a Robot?
What are some unexpected Robots?

6. 6
Day 2 - Agenda
Reflection discussion
Finish building Tri-Bot
Label cables
Come up with a team and bot name and
make poster for team
Watch video clips
Introduce basic programming

7. 7
Day 3 - Reflection
In what ways do robots need to
interact with their surroundings?
Give specific examples of a robot and
the type of movement or sensors it will
need.

8. 8
Movement
 Define Types of movement:
Locomotion – The ability to move from
place to place (move from place to place)
Localization – To perform functions in a
specific area (turn head)
Manipulation – To touch or move by
mechanical means (move other things around)
Cooperation - To work together
(two motors working together for movement)

9. 9
Day 3 - Agenda
Reflection discussion
Definitions of types of movement
Watch “Robo Cup Dog Soccer” identify each
type of movement
Inventory of pieces
Review Programming
Begin programming with sound blocks

10. 10
Day 4 - Reflection
Why is it important to be specific
when giving directions?
Write down the step by step
directions of how to fold a paper
airplane.

11. 11
What do we need the robot to do?
 Moving: The robot must be able to control
some set of actuators to move how and when
we want it to. We must be able to reliably
place the robot anywhere we want.
 Sensing: The robot must be able to perceive
its environment through sensors locate
obstacles to avoid, and objects of interest
that we want it to interact with.
 Plan/Act: The robot must be able to make
decisions using its processor based on it’s
sensors and feed them to it’s actuators to be
able to move.

12. 12
What is a sensor?
 Takes readings from physical
environment and turns it into an
electrical message/signal
Sensors we will work with:
Touch- hit something and it react
Light- can sort by color or detect light
from dark
Sonar/ultrasonic- tells how far away
things are
Sound- tells how loud something is

13. 13
What is a processor?
It is the logic circuitry that
responds to and processes the basic
instructions that drive a computer.
A computer needs to be able to:
Receive inputs from the sensors, and
convert the sensor readings into
perceptions
Make decisions based on it’s perceptions
Use these decisions to change its
environment (or move itself in the
environment) using its actuators.


14. 14
What is a processor?
A computer needs to be able to…:
Each of the previous three things is
programmed by the user using a
programming language.
Takes readings from physical
environment and turns it into an
electrical message/signal Touch- hit
something and it react

15. 15
What is an actuator?
Takes electrical message and turns it
into a physical action. For example:
Electric motors receive electricity
which makes their axles turn. These can
be connected to wheels, which can make
the robot move
Pumps receive electricity which makes
them compress liquid through tubes
which can make a robotic arm move
around. This arm can push, pull, and lift
things in the world.

16. 16

17. 17
Day 4 - Agenda
Finish Inventory
Begin programming with sound blocks
Discussion/Reflection
Giving clear directions – Paper Airplane
Definitions of types of processes
Review movement programming
Begin programming basic movement

18. 18
Day 5 - Reflection
Write directions for your teammates
to move through a maze within the
classroom
Take turns testing each other's
directions and see which teammate
can write the clearest directions.

19. 19
Day 5 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Writing directions – Move through a maze
Writing directions – Dance moves
Begin programming for Dance Competition

20. 20
Day 6 - Reflection
What have you learned about the
following things:
What is a robot (in your own words)
Building a robot
Programming a robot
What parts do robots need?

21. 21
Day 6 – Group Activity
Watch Search & Rescue Video Clip
What do the robots need to be able
to perform these functions?
Write directions for your teammates
to perform a search and rescue
mission of a treasure of your choice.
Include sensors and loops:
Use “until”
Use touch sensors

22. 22
Day 6 – Instruction
Understand loops exit with an “until”
statement
Understand programming of the
touch sensor

23. 23
Day 6 – Challenge/Build
Attach a touch sensor to your Bot
(pgs 49-53 in large book)
Program the touch sensor
Write a program for ‘Bump and Run’
using the ‘Loop’ block, where robots
must run down a corridor, bump into a
wall, and return to the start.
Bump & Run Races
 Have groups which complete this extend the program by
putting a ‘Forever’ loop around the previous program to make
the robot continuously go back and forth between two walls.

24. 24
Day 6 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Watch Search & Rescue Video Clip
Understanding Programming – Touch Sensor
& Loops
Writing directions – Search & Rescue
Writing directions – Bump & Run
Begin programming for Bump & Run Races

25. 25
Day 7 - Reflection
What did you have to change/modify
to get your Bot to be able to do the
“Bump & Run” Challenge?
Change design
Change Program
Add stabilizers

26. 26
Day 7 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Finish - Bump and Run – Race
Program - Bump, Turn, Continuous
Writing directions – Maze

27. 27
Day 8 - Reflection
Within the police department what
kind of robots or remote controlled
machines do you think they would
need?
How would they be used?

28. 28
Day 8 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Police Demonstration
Create Maze
Writing directions – Maze
Program Bot to complete maze

29. 29
Day 9 – Ultra Sonic Sensor
Ultra Sonic sensor sends out a high
frequency chirp from one circle and
the sound wave bounces off an object
and returns to the microphone in the
other circle.
Because sound travels at a constant
speed ~1,125 ft/s the processor can
calculate the distance the sensor is
from an object and respond based on
the programming.

30. 30
Day 9 – Ultra Sonic Sensor
In what situations might an Ultra
Sonic sensor fail?
Far away
Angle
Absorbency
Multiple surfaces
Multiple signals

31. 31
Day 9 – Writing a Program
In your journal write out the
program directions for your Bot to
make it through the maze using the
touch sensor, the ultra sonic sensor
and loops.

32. 32
Day 9 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Ultra Sonic Sensor
Writing directions – Maze
Program Bot to complete maze using touch
and ultra sonic sensors and loops.

33. 33
Day 10 – Reflection
What problems did you have
calibrating or working with the Ultra
Sonic Sensor?
In your journal re-write your
program directions for going through
the maze following the example on
the board.

34. 34
Day 10 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Ultra Sonic Sensor
Re-writing directions – Maze
Program Bot to complete maze using touch
and ultra sonic sensors and loops.
For the groups that finish – Add grabber
Arms to your Bot.

35. 35
Day 11 – Reflection
What has your team done well?
What does your team need to work on?
In what ways have you personally
contributed to helping your team be
successful?
What do you do that might get in the
way of your team working together
successfully?

36. 36
Day 11 – Reflection
What goals do you have for the
remainder of the program?
What will you do to work better as a
team?

37. 37
Day 11 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Time Trials – Maze
Adding Grabber Arms & Light/Dark Sensor
Program Bot to follow a line and grab ball at
the end of the line, turn right 90 degrees
and drop the ball.

38. 38
Day 12 – Reflection
In what ways can a robot provide
companionship?

39. 39
Day 12 – Reflection
Read Time For Kids Article
What did you find interesting about
the article?

40. 40
Day 12 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Time Trials – Maze
Adding Grabber Arms & Light/Dark Sensor
Program Bot to follow a line and grab ball at
the end of the line, turn right 90 degrees
and drop the ball.

41. 41
Day 13 – Reflection
What have you learned so far about
robots and programming?

42. 42
Day 13 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Finish Time Trials – Maze
Adding Grabber Arms & Light/Dark Sensor
Program Bot to follow a line and grab ball at
the end of the line, turn right 90 degrees
and drop the ball.

43. 43
Day 14 – Reflection
What cool things do you think you
could create with your LEGO NXT kit?

44. 44
Day 14 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Plan for Final Projects
Adding Grabber Arms & Light/Dark Sensor
Program Bot to follow a line and grab ball at
the end of the line, turn right 90 degrees
and drop the ball.
Go through maze, grab toy, turn around and
return to start

45. 45
Day 15 – Reflection
What types of projects did you find
or are you interested in building for
the final project?
Parent Invitation to
Robotics Showcase
Thursday, July 23rd
@ 9:30

46. 46
Day 15 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Plan for Final Projects
Time Trails for “Line Follow” and grab ball at
the end of the line, turn right 90 degrees
and drop the ball.
Go through maze, grab toy, turn around and
return to start
Begin working on Final Project

47. 47
Day 16 – Reflection
What would you like a robot to do for
you around the house?
Parent Invitation to
Robotics Showcase
Thursday, July 23rd
@ 9:30

48. 48
Day 16 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Plan for Final Projects
Begin working on Final Project

49. 49
Day 17 – Reflection
Should Robots look like humans or
should they look like machines?
Why does it matter?
Read “Why, Robots?”
What did you find interesting about the
article?
Parent Invitation to Robotics Showcase
Thursday, July 23rd
@ 9:30 AM

50. 50
Day 17 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Plan for Final Projects
Begin working on Final Project

51. 51
Day 18 – Reflection
What is your Final Project designed
to do?
How can you prove it is a Robot and
not a remote controlled machine?

52. 52
Day 18 – Reflection
What have you learned about robots
and programming?
What has been the biggest challenge
for you?
What has been the biggest challenge
for your group?

53. 53
Day 18 – Showcase
Welcome Parents
Robotics Showcase
Thursday, July 23rd
@ 9:30 AM

54. 54
Day 18 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Present Final Projects
Explain learning to parents

55. 55
Day 19 – Reflection
Robotics Final Write Up

56. 56
Day 19 - Agenda
Discussion/Reflection
Inventory
Watch Robotics Video Clips