Robotics & Science for All Teachers

INSTRUCTOR: Larry Scheckel, Tomah High School, Tomah, WI
GRADE LEVEL: 3-12
SUBJECTS: Science
 

An all new workshop! Teachers: build and program a Parallax Boe Bot Robot, worth $150 that can be taken back to your classroom and remain part of your teaching practice.

Participants will build a robot and program the robot to run a maze using a variety of sensors.  the robot will follow a line, navigate a path on the floor, use LED's sing songs, follow the leader and use infrared and ultrasonic sensors.  the programming language is simple and required little computer skills.

Robots are used in auto, medical, and manufacturing industries; military and many science fiction films.  Building and programming a robot is a combination of mechanics, electronics, and problem solving.  You will learn real world applications that use robotic controls.  Get your students interested and excited about the field of engineering, mechatronics, and software development.  Requires very minor construction or computer programming skills.

Construction will be followed by a series of hands-on activities and projects that will introduce teachers to basic robotic concepts.  Students as young as third grade, plus middle school, high school, technical school, and engineering school have successfully used this robot and its accessories.

While the main focus of this session is robotics, time may allow for several physical science activities, labs, and demonstrations.

Wisconsin Teacher Standards Addressed: 1,3,4,7, 8
Wisconsin Model Academic Standards Addressed: Language Arts, A,B,C,D