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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Coding with Edison Robots Part 2

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Coding with Edison Robots Part 2

A 3-5th grade, STEM lesson

Roseanna Martinez, M.A., NBCT

12/1/23

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Notes for teachers

  • Context: 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 & results of coding.
  • Creative solutions and ideas should be encouraged.
  • Facilitate student reflection on how the robots are able to perform simple tasks.
  • Click here for Part 1

List of Materials:

  • Edison Robot Materials :
    • Edison Robot
    • Legos or similar blocks
    • AAA batteries
  • Black electrical tape
  • Scissors
  • EdCom Cable
  • Laptop or desktop computer
  • Internet access
  • Light colored surface to work on
    • grid mat
    • could be a desktop or poster board
  • Additional Resources:

EdBlocks

https://www.edblocksapp.com/

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Standards

COMPUTER SCIENCE STANDARDS

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.

3.AP.C.1 Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and/or conditionals.

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.

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Objectives:

  • Today we will learn about coding.

  • Today we will know how to code an Edison robot using Edblocks.

  • Today we will download coding to the Edison to complete tasks.

  • Today we will collaborate and communicate with our classmates to solve problems and create coding.

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Agenda (60 min.)

How do we teach robots to perform tasks?

What is coding? *Coding simulation

Assemble our own robots.

Practice coding the Edison robots with Edblocks

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What is a coding?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

  • Choose 2 students to demonstrate the coding simulation
  • One student will be the “robot” and the other will be the “programmer”
  • Have the programmer give the robot directions to get to another place in the room. They may only give one step directions, such as one step forward, 3 steps backward, turn right, turn left, etc. with commands to match the EdBlocks coding
  • The robot must follow directions exactly, even if they take her/him off the route.
  • Have students predict how this activity is like coding.
  • Have students reflect on how “exact” their commands must be. What went well and what went wrong?

** If possible, project EdBlocks as the programmer gives verbal commands, choose the EdBlocks “code” for each move and set up the code on the screen. Students will then connect the image with the command.

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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.
  • Using a laptop, have students open and set up EdBlocks program
  • Build a 5 step sequence in EdBLocks for your Edison to follow & download it using your EdCom cable, push play.
  • Create a grid on a poster board or mat, mark one square “start”, then pick another square for students to get their Edison to, using EdBlocks
  • https://www.edblocksapp.com/

ELA Extension: Have students create a cartoon instruction page, reporting each step they took to get their Edison to complete a task. They should detail their commands/codes and how it worked out, was it successful yes/no and why.

Students could write a comparison essay between the simulation and EdBlocks coding.

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Assessment

Can students identify 4 different code “icons” in EdBlocks?

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

Were students able to use EdBlocks coding to program their robot to complete given tasks?

Can students explain how they were able to make their robot do certain 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 push the buttons when the robot is completed.

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

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Have students create a game using a grid and Edisons. This game could use facts or questions about a topic they are studying in another subject. Use the Edison to locate a question on the grid or win steps to get to the finish line.

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