Getting Started with LEGO Robotics: A Guide for K-12 Educators

Description

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a golden ticket to STEM education? Something that incorporated science, technology, math, and the most elusive of all, engineering? What if it could be applied as part of a lesson, as a class on its own, or as an after-school club? Sound too good to be true? It’s not. The golden ticket is robotics. It’s hard to find a better way to teach STEM education. And the best part is it’s hands on, multidisciplinary, collaborative, an authentic learning experience, and engaging! LEGO Robotics has exploded in popularity, but despite the obvious benefits, many educators are hesitant to begin a program in their school because it seems challenging. Mark Gura has written this book to encourage you to give robotics a try. Although starting a robotics program may seem like a daunting task, Gura brings together the information you need and presents it in a manageable, organized way so that you learn what LEGO Robotics is, what student activities look like, how to begin, how to manage a class, how robotics relate to standards, and much more. Gura concludes with more than a dozen interviews with educators, trainers, and even a student, so you can receive first-hand advice and recommendations. After reading this book you will be on your way to introducing your students to LEGO Robotics activities and competitions! Contents Introduction Why Read This Book? Cha p ter 1Robotics Basics What Is LEGO Robotics? More about LEGO Robotics Kits What Purposes Might Robotics Serve in the Classroom? For What Grade Levels Is Robotics Appropriate? Who Can Teach LEGO Robotics? Why Are Robotics Activities Satisfying? What Are the Instructional Goals and Advantagesof LEGO Robotics? Cha p ter 2LEGO Robotics Materials and Software A History of LEGO On to Robotics Two Versions of LEGO Robotics Materials, RCX and NXT The Hardware The Software Firmware and More Resources for Learning Basic LEGO Programming Robolab (RCX) and Mindstorms (NXT) Resources Cha p ter 3Managing the Robotics Classroom The Physical Setup Room Enhancements Classroom Management Factors Classroom Website Assessment Instructional Factors Project Culmination Cha p ter 4Robotics Activity Ideas Activity 1 What Are Robots? A Media-Supported Class Discussion Activity 2 Be the Robot: Programming Concepts Activity 3 How Do LEGO Materials Work? Activity 4 Create Your First Robot: A Robotic Vehicle from Plans Activity 5 Basic Programming Activity 6 Adding Sensors Activity 7 Original Design and Programming for a Stationary Robot About FIRST LEGO League Challenges Culminating Robotics Events Cha p ter 5Assessing Robotics Learning Assessment as Part of the Whole Clarity of Purpose Assessment Approaches Creating Rubrics Assessment Advice Cha p ter 6Documenting, Saving, and Archiving Robotics Projects Photos and Video Journals Cha p ter 7Robotics in the Curriculum Science and Robotics Math and Robotics Technology and Robotics Engineering—the Missing “E” in the STEM Curriculum Robotics Challenges as STEM Subject Integration Catalyst Robotics in the Humanities Cha p ter 8Robotics Connections to Learning Standards Robotics and Science Standards Robotics and Math Standards Robotics and Educational Technology Standards (NETS) Robotics and 21st Century Skills Robotics and English Language Arts Standards Standards are Invaluable Tools Cha p ter 9Robotics Events and Competitions What Is FIRST LEGO League? What Is Junior FIRST LEGO League? FIRST LEGO League Specifics Other Events and Programs Cha p ter 10Interviews with LEGO Robotics Experts A. Dwayne Abuel B. Maxwell (Max) Shlansky C. Ian Chow Miller D. Evan Weinberg. E. Phil Firsenbaum F. Corbett Beder G. Laura Allen H. Luke Laurie I. Mike Koumoullos J. Chris Dudin K. Mark Sharfshteyn Appendi x AClassic Robotics Projects A. Sumo Bots B. Tug-of-War Bots C. Drawing/Art Bots D. Mobile/Vehicle Bot Performance E. Line-Running and Line-Following Bots F. Fetch Bot—Gather Bot—Harvest Bot G. Maze Challenge H. Robot Zoo Appendi x BRobotics Resources A. Getting Started with LEGO Robotics B. Curricula C. Background Reading D. Videos E. Events and Competitions F. Ideas for FIRST LEGO League Challenges G. Blueprints and Plans Online H. And More! Appendi x CGlossary Appendi x DNETS for Students, Teachers, and Administrators National Educational Technology Standards for Students National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators Index