magazine.T4L Issue 10

ISSUE 10 TERM 3 I 2020

The Robotics Issue We road test robots by stage:

Blue-bot Bee-bot Dash LEGO EV3 Virtual robots

Cool robotics careers PLUS New robots in the lab!

LEGO SPIKE Root Robot

WELCOME We’re exploring how robotics is changing our lives – right now and into the future. We return to our road test feature, check out new robots in the lab and meet a real-life robotics engineer.

Already including robotics in your teaching and learning across subject areas? Keep us in the loop with what you’re doing and tag us on socials #T4L.

T4L loves!

Want to know about the 100 jobs of the future?

Could your students be mechatronics engineer (#14), robot ethicists (#17) or robot mechanics (#18)? You may be surprised to learn what some of them are! Check out the list

, a collaborative

project from Ford Australia, Deakin University and Griffith University.

COVID-19 has accelerated the role of robotics, particularly in the areas of telehealth, business and even retail. Robotics makers Ohmnilabs

explores

groundbreaking robotics jobs that are on the rise.

Always dreamed of controlling objects with your mind? Who hasn’t? You don’t have to be an entrepreneur like Elon Musk to get in on the biotech action. This new headset from French company NextMind uses your brainwaves to turn objects on and off, and even play video games. It’s now for sale! Read more about it here

... or simply

open this article with the power of your mind ;)

Join a T4L online workshop - check out the range on offer .

A clean robot is a happy robot Don’t forget to check in with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s (AHPPC) guidelines on reducing the potential transmission of COVID-19 in schools.

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NextMind’s headset that taps into your brainwaves Content source: the NextMind website.

Important Note: Tools, devices, software, links and educational practices reviewed within this publication are not an indication of endorsement by the NSW DoE and cannot be used as such.

ROBOTS IN ACTION Need some robot inspo?

Have you seen Melrose Park Public School’s winning entry video ?

Melrose Park Public School in Sydney, was a T4L Award winner in 2018 in Robotics. But it all began when some old LEGO robots were donated to their school. ‘Since then, we’ve added EV3, Ozobots, Dash and Dot robots ... that got the kids thinking, motivated and engaged in different activities,’ says Pam Grover, Technology and ICT teacher at Melrose Park PS. The program grew in leaps and bounds, and Pam was motivated to share

This year, in lieu of the T4L Awards, we’re celebrating All-

their success story with us. It led to them being crowned

Star schools that are innovating with technology. Why

Leader in Robotics 2018!

don’t you share your story with us – here’s how

.

No robot? No problem!

We feature specific robot hardware throughout this issue, and it’s great when you have access to them.

But what if you don’t? Why not build your robotics skills with these online robot simulators? (free at time of publication).

iRobot Coding

VEXcode VR



Sign-in required

Beginner – Advanced



Block-based coding

Browser-based



Text-based coding



Online support

User level

Windows/iOS/Mac/ Chrome



Sign-in required

Intermediate



Block-based coding

Browser-based



Text-based coding



Online support

User level

Windows/iOS/Mac/ Chrome

Engagement factor

Engagement factor

High – virtual playground and robot action seen on screen

High – live robot playground + inbuilt challenges

Tips for assessment and feedback Students need to understand coding concepts and their metalanguage but need to demonstrate their knowledge, says stem.T4L leader Adam Watson.

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Know the content yourself. Upskill and learn the proper coding concepts - check out Makecode Arcade for lessons and courses.

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Make real-world connections for students. Did you know the ultrasonic sensor in the Micro:bit kit uses the same technology as hospital ultrasound monitors?

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Give students a way to demonstrate their understanding. Set a project that requires them to use key concepts, but in their own way.

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ROAD TEST In this month’s road test, some of our stem.T4L leaders explore a few of their favourite robots by stage.

All robots are available through procurement on EdBuy, which can be found on your Staff Portal.

Melissa Wood Blue-Bot (Bluetooth Floor Robot) and Bee-Bot These are great little robots for K-2 students. Both robots can be programmed to follow a course, or students can design their own adventure. They can be controlled by a tablet or PC/Mac, or can be used screen-free as a standalone robot.



Great for Early Stage 2 – Stage 5

Primarily ES1 and S1 and can be pushed into Stage 2

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Teacher skill level

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Beginner – Intermediate

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What do I need?

Compatible with iOS iPad (iOS 9 minimum requirement), PC or Mac

Features

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Blue-Bot connects via Bluetooth from iPad to device for increased functionality

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Both can be coded screen free using the buttons on the robots’ back

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Simple and easy for anyone to operate with minimal instruction

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Further accessories include mats and teacher resources to transform a robot into a storyteller, an adventurer and more.

l Me ys sa They’re a fantastic tool to build logical and computational thinking, and to develop an early understanding of algorithms, particularly for younger stages. Can be used in every area of teaching and learning, offering students an authentic way of developing their directional language – students can

Learn more

explore right and left, forward and back and further geographical concepts.

➚ Want to try these out? Book a STEM PC robotics kit or tablet robotics kit for next term or next year.

TRY THESE ACTIVITIES ➚ Simple activities to start using Bee-Bot

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➚ Storytelling with Blue-Bot



Kelly Burke

Kath Lollback

Dash - Smart Educational Robot

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3



Great for Early Stage 1 – Stage 3

Great for Stages 2 – Stage 5

Early Stage 1 to Stage 3 – but appeals to all age groups

Develops more complex construction and

because of its engaging personality!

computational skills in students.





Teacher skill level

Teacher skill level

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Beginner – Advanced

Ö

Beginner – Advanced



What do I need?



What do I need?

Ö

Compatible with iOS

Ö

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Features

Ö

Bluetooth connection to a variety of different devices

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Customisable lights and buttons for user input

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Microphones and speakers to record and playback sound

Ö

Xylophone accessory brings Dash to musical life

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Infrared receivers and transmitters to interact with other robots

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Proximity sensors to detect objects at the left, right and behind the robot

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Motors to move and turn head

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Compatible with iOS, Windows and Chromebook – head to the LEGO site for full device requirements

Features

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Infinitely constructible

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Easy Bluetooth connection

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Caters to primary and secondary students

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Multiple options for software from block programming to Java and Python for secondary

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Core primary set contains teacher resources including building instructions and tutorials

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Challenges students to design, program and log data

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What isn’t there to love about Dash? It is a cheeky, noisy robot that enables all users to engage with it and achieve immediate success.

The ability to trace a path with a finger and then get Dash to follow that path

means even the

youngest of students can easily enjoy getting Dash from point A to B. Older students love to program Dash’s motors and sensors using the visual programming application Blockly

, and

being able to create sophisticated code that

It’s fantastic for teaching and learning and helps to improve critical-thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills.

It can be used harmoniously in Project Based Learning (PBL) challenges, resulting in active learning and high levels of engagement.

help to guide students as they master different coding concepts.

TRY THESE ACTIVITIES Try these character challenges for Dash Dash into a train – or even a fire engine!

TRY THESE ACTIVITIES . Turn

Track a frog’s metamorphosis system that moves a ball

!

or make a 5

Joe Cohen

IN THE LAB T4L innovators Joe and Greig have been investigating new robots that maximise student engagement across all levels of learning. Here are two robots that push the boundaries of learning and encourage endless play.

LEGO Education SPIKE Prime Set

 

Available on EdBuy

Teacher skill level

Ö

Intermediate - but can be used for all levels of learning

Ö

Targeted at users between LEGO WeDO and EV3 Robot Kits



Operating requirements/systems

Ö

Windows 10, MacOS and iOS

Suited to: Stages 2-5

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FEATURES

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System comes with over 523 building items and three motors that give controllable motion to projects

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Features new, bright colours – enhancing engagement

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Sensors include: colour, touch, infrared, accelerometer, tilting and gyroscope

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LEGO’s new programming app allows students to use simple block-based code to build simple and complex algorithmic solutions to learning projects

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Additionally, the text-based Python programming language caters for Technology Mandatory and Stage 5 and 6 learners

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Learning activities allow students to think critically and solve complex problems, regardless of their learning level

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Flexible across curriculum areas, especially in Project Based Learning (PBL)

WHY I LIKE IT

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Great learning resources from the LEGO Education website as well as from teachers around the world

FINAL VERDICT

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A truly amazing learning tool that caters for all learners

^

Read Joe’s review of the Sphero RVR and the Micro:bit Robot on the T4L blog

.

Greig Tardiani Root Coding Robot



Available on EdBuy

Too new for EdBuy, This product is awaiting certification for use in Australia.

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Teacher skill level

Ö

Beginner - Intermediate



Operating requirements/systems

Ö

Browser-based programming – Bluetooth required for robot connection

Suited to: Stages 1-4

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FEATURES

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From the makers of the iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaners! There is an advanced version based on the iRobot Vacuum robot for Stage 5 and 6 students

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This robot draws, plays music, lights up and can run on a magnetic whiteboard

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The drawing pen can be moved up and down to allow for drawing and movement between strokes.

This mechanism also allows you to attach 3D-printed devices to give it mechanical arms

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Built-in sensors react to and navigate a space via touch - i.e. it won’t fall off a table, and it will sense an edge

Ö

It can follow a line, find colours, and erase parts of a drawing. Touch sensitive sectors on the top of the robot allow students to create ‘Simon Says’-type games

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The online programming app allows for basic linear block coding for beginners, block-based programming for intermediate learners and Python-based text coding for the advanced learners.

The learner can move between these modes at any time while programming so they can use multiple methods to solve the problem

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Extensive learning library

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Geometric mathematics underlies the Root Coding Robot’s ability to create shapes on a surface both horizontally and vertically. The customisable features add to its versatility.

As you delve deeper with your students, you will find sensors and accessories that allow you to keep discovering and innovating.

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Seymour Papert, father of Constructionism, believed that learners developed problem solving skills by doing and the Root is a fantastic tool utilising this philosophy.

WHY I LIKE IT FINAL VERDICT

^

Learn more

about the Constructionist theory of education and its founder Seymour Papert.

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CAREER LINKS – ROBOTICS

Meet robotics engineer, Katrina Lo Sourdo What does a robotics engineer do?

Katrina Lo Sourdo is responsible for design and development that directs robots to walk, talk and do their jobs. Katrina works as an electrical and computer engineer in the robotics and

Data61 is absolutely my dream job – working on next-generation robotics and seeing this whole industry take shape.’

autonomous systems group at CSIRO’s Data61.

‘Primarily I’m working on circuit board design and hardware development,’ says Katrina. ‘These are the embedded systems that ensure all the robot’s electrical elements are connected correctly. I am part of a large team with other people handling the software and the decision-making for the robot – its navigation, its perception, and things like that,’ she says.

Careers in robotics ‘There are many opportunities right now,’ she says. ‘Even if your study focus is electrical engineering, you can still end up in software or systems. I studied machine learning in my degree and could certainly have pursued a career in that if I’d wanted to.’

Katrina’s career path Î Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Queensland Î Systems engineer, Boeing

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Î Electrical and Computer Engineer, Data61, CSIRO

Want more information on STEM careers?

For more information on Katrina, head to Careers with STEM

.

This article is an extract from the original

by Matthew Brace, kindly reproduced with permission from Careers with STEM

.

Link in your robotics knowledge Find loads of short courses and longer modules in robotics and coding at LinkedIn Learning. Simply use the search terms robot, robotics, robotics programming or even LEGO programming. We like these useful courses: ➚ Learning LEGO Mindstorms ➚ Robotics Overview from Amazon Web Services: Exploring Business Solutions

FIND OUT MORE Find your LinkedIn Learning Training tab in the portal.

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