Exploring Geometry with Robots
Objectives:
01
Students should understand basic geometric shapes and their properties (triangles, squares, circles, etc.).
02
Learn how to build and program a robot to recognize and follow geometric paths.
03
Apply geometric thinking to solve problems and create movements based on shapes.
Materials:
Makerzoid Programmable Toys Robot Master Set, 200-in-1 Coding Robot Kit
Colored cardboards
or small objects that will represent geometric shapes (e.g., triangles, circles, squares).
Programming software (Scratch/Blockly)
for programming the robot.
Duration:
Course Duration:
1.5 - 2 hours
Robot Construction Duration:
30 minutes
Duration of Programming and Testing:
45 - 60 minutes
Instructions for the Instructor:
1. Introduction to Geometry and Script (10 minutes)
Purpose:
To help students understand geometric shapes and their basic properties.
What to do:
1. Give students the Makerzoid kit and guide them through building their robot. They will need motors to move it and sensors to detect obstacles (such as infrared sensors to detect distance to obstacles).
2. The goal is for the robot to be able to move forward and backward and react when it encounters an obstacle (e.g., stop or turn).
3. Ensure that students understand the construction process and that the robot can perform basic movements.
2. Building the Robot (30 minutes):
Purpose:
Have students build a robot that can move along geometric paths.
What to do:
1. Give students the Makerzoid kit and explain the basic parts of the robot: the motor (for movement), the controller (to follow commands), and the sensors (which will be used to detect shapes).
2. Guide students in building the robot, explaining how to place the motors and how to connect it to the control board. If possible, show how to place infrared sensors to detect geometric shapes.
3. When the robot is ready, check if its wheels move properly and if the robot can move forward and backward.
3. Programming the Robot (45 - 60 minutes)
Purpose:
Program the robot to follow geometric paths and recognize shapes.
What to do:
1. Introduction to programming: Start with simple commands for the robot. For example, program it to move forward for 3 seconds and then stop.
2. Programming for turns: Program the robot to turn when it encounters geometric shapes. For example:
- If the robot encounters a triangle, it should turn
left. - If it encounters a square, it will continue straight.
- If it encounters a circle, it will make a complete turn.
3. Using conditions: Teach students to use commands like
“if/else” or “repeat” to make the robot follow a geometric path
path, recognizing each shape and reacting accordingly.
4. Test and improve: Once you have programmed the basic movements, give students time to test their robot on the “geometric path”
If the robot is not following correctly, guide them in reviewing their programming.
4. Activity: Geometry Route (15 minutes)
Purpose:
Have students apply their knowledge in practice.
What to do:
1. Create a geometric path on the floor or on a board using cardboard or objects that represent various geometric shapes (e.g., a triangle, a square, a circle).
2. Define a “path” that the robot must follow, e.g., from the triangle to the square and then to the circle.
3. Ask students to use their robot to follow the path. The robot must recognize each shape and react as programmed (e.g., turn or
continuation straight).
4. If their robot follows the path correctly, the students will have completed their mission.
5. Discussion and Feedback (10 minutes)
Purpose:
Have students reflect on the relationship between geometry and robotics.
What to do:
1. Discuss with students their experience and the difficulties they encountered during the activity.
2. Explain how geometric shapes are used in everyday life and how robotics helps in understanding geometry.
3. Give examples of connecting geometry to real robotic systems, such as robots used for programming and using algorithms to solve problems.
Conclusions:
Students will understand how geometric shapes are connected to robot movements.
They will learn to program their robot to follow paths based on geometric shapes and develop problem-solving skills.
The activity will help students see the practical application of geometry and robotics in reality.
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