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UNIT 0: BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

Unit Time: 100 Minutes

Overview

Unit 0 is provided to ensure background information necessary to complete the curriculum is available.  If students have already mastered the skills, it can be skipped.  This unit covers robotics, sensors, and circuits.

Standards

Science, Technology, and Engineering

3.4.7.A3: Explain how knowledge gained from other fields of study has a direct effect on the development of technological products and systems.

3.4.7.B3: Describe how invention and innovation lead to changes in society and the creation of new needs and wants.

3.4.7.C2: Explain how modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying are used to transform ideas into practical solutions.

3.2.7.B4: Explain how electrical current is produced by the flow of electrons.Explain and demonstrate how electric current produces magnetic forces and how moving magnets produce electric current.

Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening

1.8.7.B: Conduct inquiry and research on self-selected or assigned topics, issues, or problems using a variety of appropriate media sources and strategies with teacher support.

Enduring Understandings

Objectives

Lessons        

  1. Robotics
  2. Circuits

 

Lesson A: Robotics

Lesson Time: 50 Minutes

Enduring Understanding

Sensors control devices to react certain ways depending on sensed conditions.

Objectives

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

Engagement

The teacher will show videos of robots at the beginning of class.

Exploration

The class will discuss sensors and robots in everyday life.

Explanation

Students will identify sensors they see in everyday life.  They will identify the uses of each.

Extension

Students will identify robots they see in everyday life.  They will identify some inputs and outputs of each.

Evaluation

Students will complete two activities.

Required Materials

Recommended Materials

Computers

Handouts

LCD Projector

Sequence

  1. Begin class by having videos of robots projecting while students are entering the room.  You can find videos on YouTube.  If you do not have an LCD projector, you can print images of robots and tape them to the board.  
  2. Start by discussing what a robot is with students.
  3. Discuss inputs and outputs with students.
  4. Talk about different kinds of sensors.
  5. Give students Activity A-1.  Once they are finished, go over it with them.  This could be given as a homework assignment.
  6. Give students Activity A-2.  Once they are finished, go over it with them.  This could be given as a homework assignment.
  7. Show students the components they will have to work with when building robots.  (PowerPoint included)

Evaluation

The activities will be used to check for understanding.

Lesson B: Circuits

Lesson Time: 50 Minutes

Enduring Understanding

There are certain conditions that need to be present for a circuit to work.

Objectives

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

Engagement

Students are introduced to the concept of electricity.

Exploration

Students experiment with motors and LEDs.

Explanation

Students create a complete circuit. Students record observations they make while creating the circuit.

Extension

The class discusses how some people circuits look a little different but still work.

Evaluation

The circuit creation activity is used to check for understanding.

Required Materials

Recommended Materials

Electronic breadboard

Batteries (or power supplies)

Jumper wire

LEDs

Single pole-single throw switches

Camera

Sequence

  1. Introduce electricity.  Discuss how electricity is the flow of electrons.  
  2. Talk about circuits.  Be sure to teach students that circuits need to have at least a source, a path, and a load, and sometimes have a control.  
  3. Teach students about polarity.  Demonstrate this concept with a motor.
  4. Teach students about diode.  Demonstrate how electricity is only allowed to flow in one direction through a diode.  Use a battery and an LED to show this.
  5. Give students time to experiment with motors and diodes.
  6. Activity B-1: Have students create small circuits with a breadboard and electronic components.
  7. Have students share their observations.
  8. Take a picture of each circuit and project them.  Discuss with students how many of the circuits might be connected differently but they still work.

Evaluation

Activity B-1 will be used to check for understanding.