The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Edison Robots Go To Mars

Edison Robots Go to Mars

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
• paper cones and rocks to represent obstacles on the map

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 solve problems 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.

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• Today we will collaborate and communicate with our classmates to code and make adjustments to our coding to get to the target/center of the Mars Map.

Agenda (60 min.)

We will assemble our own robots using Legos

We will program robots to perform tasks safely

We will practice coding Edison robots using 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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Exploring Mars

What are the characteristics of Mars?

How is it different from Earth?

Imagine we are moving to Mars, what difficulties will we experience there?

What features will our robots need to have to navigate the Mars terrain?

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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 Ed Blocks, experiment with different tasks for the Edison.
• Try having the Edison drive to different places on the Activity Mat.
• Add obstacles to the paths of the Edisons, using paper cones for “Fire/volcanoes” or rocks for “mountains.”
• Students should stop and think of questions or ideas they have about the functions of the Edison, using the tasks they have experienced.
• Brainstorm, how can we use coding to avoid obstacles in the path of the Edison.

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Mission to Mars - the landing

In order to survive on Mars, we must be able to build an environment to sustain life.

• Using Ed Blocks, you must complete coding to get from one “launch pad” to the center of our “camp” with precision.
• Using Ed Blocks, code your Edison to move from one of the yellow & black launching pads to the center circle of the mat.
• Create a code to move Edison from launchpad to center, get creative if needed. Not all coding will be the same.
• Make adjustments as needed to your coding to get the Edison centered within the circle.

Assessment

Can students navigate the environment using Ed Blocks to code their robots?

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 use Ed Blocks to make adjustments when obstacles were placed in their paths?

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 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 modify their design to better solve a problem 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.