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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

All Hands In - Lego STEM Robotics

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All Hands In - Lego STEM Robotics

A 6th grade STEM lesson

Crystal Rodriguez

June 13, 2023

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Notes for teachers

Sixth grade students are going to be partnering with our first grade students (who do not have a set curriculum for science) to make STEM come alive! This introduction lesson will be based on mostly 6th grade science standards with lower levels. This lesson will be the introduction to Lego robotics and gives first grade students exposure and experience.

List of Materials:

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Objective

Students will be able to effectively use different data types such as time (seconds), speed, and degrees of rotation. Program and synchronize motor movements of a "breakdancer" to keep in rhythm with light and beats.

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Standards

  • CSTA 2-DA-09 Refine computational models based on the data they have generated.
  • LO 1.1.1: Use computing tools and techniques to create artifacts.
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3.D�Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.C.5�Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.

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Agenda (45 minutes)

Lesson Plan (1/3)

1. Prepare

  • Read through the student material in the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ App.

2. Engage (5 min.)

  • Use the questions in Introduction slide to engage your students in a discussion related to this lesson.
  • Use the video to explain the lesson.

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Agenda (continued)

Lesson Plan (2/3)

3. Explore (20 min.)

  • Students will work in groups of 4 (2 sixth grade students and 2 first grade students)to build the "break dancer."
  • Ask them to experiment with timing, syncing the motion of the legs with the blinking light on the Hub.

4. Explain (5 Min.)

  • Talk about synchronizing movement.
  • Have your students add movement to the dancer's arms.

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Agenda (continued)

Lesson Plan (3/3)

5. Elaborate (15 Min.)

  • Ask your students to add some beats (from hub) that are in tune with their “robot moves”
  • How many sounds can they sync?
  • Now have them program their dancers to move at regular intervals (e.g., every 30 seconds). *Point out that this is meant to remind them to get up and dance!
  • Don't forget to leave some time for cleanup.

6. Evaluate

  • See Assessment Rubric for grading

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Introduction / Discussion Questions

Ignite a Discussion

Start a discussion about the importance of moving and exercising throughout the day. Ask relevant questions, like:

  • How often should you stand up and move if you're spending a lot of time sitting down?
  • What types of exercise could you do to keep moving?
  • Are you taking breaks throughout the day, do you sometimes forget?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

  • In their group, Split each team's building tasks to ensure that everybody is actively involved.
  • Student A (with their 1st grade helper): top of the Break Dancer
  • Student B (with their 1sr grade helper): bottom of the Break Dancer
  • Have students carefully follow coding instructions to correctly

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Assessment

Agenda and instructions are to be followed throughout the hub on LEGO® Education SPIKE™ platform, by assessment is created for this lesson.

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The assessment rubric (10 pts)

  • Dancing Robot completed? Above & Beyond (3), Completed (2), Partially Completed (1),
  • Add at least 2 beats in tune with your robots moves. 2 beats (2), 1 beat (1)
  • Can you keep everything in sync? Above & Beyond (3), Yes (2), Partially Synced (1)
  • Present and explain movements to class. Can explain (2), partially explain (1)

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Differentiation

For students who need additional help, accommodations, or modifications they will be strategically paired with a student who can guide them through. Teacher will be making rounds to answer and guide lesson for assistance.

Extension/Enrichment

If a group is finished early, they are welcome to explore the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 platform for additional codes to program robot.