Robotics

Course Syllabus

General Course Objectives

The Robotics course at Columbia Middle School incorporates all the STEM fields essential to educating today's 21st-century learners. The Robotics course is student-centered and includes project-based learning. Robotics combines many disciplines, including mechanics, electronics, electrical and control engineering, computer science, technology, math, and science. Students use the Design and Problem-Solving process to solve robotic design challenges where they apply a systematic approach to solving problems.

The course aims to make learning fun and engaging by using Lego Mindstorms Core kits with EV3 programmable controller bricks designed to interface with various sensors and provide students with real-world experience and a great introduction to robotics. The course will give students hands-on experience and a head start with preparing them for high school and college. The system helps students develop critical thinking skills, express creativity, work collaboratively with others, and builds confidence and self-esteem. 

The Robotics course aims to prepare students for life in the 21st century by learning about subjects and topics relative to the future and the world we live in. The course is divided into modules designed to build upon one another and develop students' skills. After the basic information is covered, the student must apply the information to solve problems illustrating the concepts. Each module provides a knowledge, application, and analysis component. The student monitors the results and produces data that is analyzed for accuracy. Revisions are made as needed.

 General Course Outline

Unit 1 – Learning the basic terminology and getting acquainted with Lego Mindstorms parts       

Unit 2 – Building a basic GenBot

Unit 3 – Learning to program and use motors and sensors (tutorials)

Unit 4 - Design Challenges:  motors

Unit 5 - Design Challenge - sensor challenges,

Unit 6 - Design Challenge - combining motors and sensors: bowling, golf, sumo, others.

Grading & Homework

Students will NOT receive homework.

Projects are assessed through the use of rubrics. Google Classroom is used to distribute students' work during a teacher's absence.

Students receive a weekly grade for their classroom work on projects and participation in activities.

Student grades will be based on a 10-point system per week and a separate project grade.