The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Edison Robots Go To Mars- Part 2

Edison Robots Go to Mars- Part 2

A 3-5th grade, STEM lesson

Roseanna Martinez, M.A., NBCT

6/12/24

Notes for teachers

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• This lesson takes place inside a classroom for 1 to 1.5 hours
• Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
• An emphasis on coding with Ed Blocks.
• Creative solutions and ideas should be encouraged.
• Facilitate student reflection on how the robots are able to perform simple tasks.

List of Materials:

• Edison Robot Materials :
• Edison Robot
• Legos or similar blocks
• 4 AAA batteries/robot
• Robotics Activity Mat: Mission to Mars https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JVHH9K5?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
• Laptop computers
• Ed Blocks https://www.edblocksapp.com/v2/#
• Coding cables for Edison v.2
• Floor space to lay out Mars Mat
• Optional Resources:
• calculators
• Edison extension kit

Standards

COMPUTER SCIENCE STANDARDS

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3.CS.HS.1 Recognize that hardware (devices) and software (programs/apps) communicate in a special language that the computing system can understand.

3.CS.HS.2 Recognize that hardware (devices) can only accomplish the specific tasks the software (programs/apps) is designed to accomplish.

3.NI. NCO.1 Model how information flows in a physical or wireless path to travel to be sent and received is sent and received through a physical or wireless path.

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Standards

ELA STANDARDS:

4.W.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

4.SL.4 Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

4.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. a. Come to discussions prepared having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion. b. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles. c. Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others. d. Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding based on the discussion.

Objectives:

• Today we will learn use robots to build/fill a biosphere on our simulated mission to Mars.

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• Today we will know how to program an Edison robot using Ed Blocks for coding.

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• Today we will collaborate and communicate with our classmates to code and make adjustments to our Edison using Ed Blocks.

Agenda (60 min.)

Assemble our own robots using Legos

How can we design robots to perform specific tasks?

How will coding need to be adjusted for newly designed robots?

We will practice coding the Edison robots with Ed Blocks

We will make adjustments to designs and programming to complete tasks with precision

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Why use a robot?

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What is a biosphere?

Is it possible to build a contained environment on Mars?

What would we need for survival?

What are our biggest concerns for survival?

Can we use robots to build and supply this biosphere?

Building the Mars Biosphere

What are the necessary supplies and structures we will need on Mars?

Can we build a sustainable environment (biosphere) on Mars?

How can we use robots to help create a home for us on Mars?

What features will our robots need to have to bring supplies to the

biosphere?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Group students into groups of 2-4.
• Give each group an Edison robot.
• Have students use Legos to customize their robots to move objects.
• Using Ed Blocks, experiment with moving objects to different places on the Activity Mat.
• Students should stop and think of questions or ideas they have about modifying coding of the Edison, using the results they have experienced.
• Brainstorm, how do we modify the Edison robot design to perform tasks that we, as humans cannot?

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Bring in Supplies

• Make a list of supplies that you will need to stock the biosphere.
• Modify your robot design to move supplies (game pieces) from the launch pad to the center or our biosphere.
• Using Ed Blocks, use coding to move your supplies from the launch pad to the center of the biosphere with accuracy.
• Remember, you must get the supplies centered on the circle of the biosphere in order for them to be accepted into the biosphere safely.

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Assessment

Did students collaborate with each other to solve problems and create their robot?

Were students able to use Ed Blocks to program their robot to complete given tasks?

Were students able to assess results to make modifications to their design and programming to complete tasks with accuracy?

Can students explain how they were able to make changes to their robot to complete tasks (orally or in writing)?

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Differentiation

Pair students in groups with students who can compliment their weaker skills.

Students with fine motor skills deficits which prevent them from building the robot, can help with coding when the robot is completed.

Students who are not able to write down their explanations may demonstrate or report orally, their findings and questions.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Have students generate 3 questions that they have now that they have been able to experiment with their Edisons to survive on Mars.

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Have students generate 3 ways that they could use an Edison or larger version of Edison to solve a problem that they have on Earth.

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Have students collaborate to build an Edison that could solve a simple issue in their classroom using an extension kit.