In the first module of the perfect STEM Course we will move fast, but not deep. We would explore a number of different areas of technical science like electronics, Linux, programming, mobile technologies, AI without getting into too many details. The goal is for us to arrive at a working Remote Control car controlled from the phone and to learn basic concepts on which we could extend.
Yes, we know. Starting with the phone when you have a toy car and a Raspberry Pi might seem strange, but this is why we do it.
In the course, we are going to use the following components and hardware elements. It is important to know their names and what are they used for.
We've just plugged in the power bank in the Raspberry Pi controller. Has it started? Is it doing something? Why is it not moving? Simply put the raspberry power a small red diode and it just emits light. Well, it's on, but it will do nothing else.
With the set for the course, you also have an SD card. It is important that you understand why and how is the SD Card is used.
This is a disk image containing a Raspbian OS. The image is modified and set up specifically for the Perfect course. It contains all the needed files, libraries and additional tools that we would use in the course. The file is quite large so be prepared to wait some time while downloading.
Checksum: 4d85292f49a9350fcef9f2eb8fd86b77f1c6bd65ce1344848de3e201c9e1d20d
We have two power sources (batteries) - one power source is for the controller, the Raspberry PI, and one power source is for the motors. What is the separation between the power sources and why it exists? Why do we need two power sources? We need the different power sources because there is not enough power otherwise.
Part of the perfect STEM course, this program needs a Raspberry Pi, a button connected on GPIO 26 and 3.3V, and an LED connected to GPIO 18.
Part of the Perfect STEM course, you should have a Raspberry Pi and a HC-SR04 distance sensor connected to 5V, GPIO 5, GPIO 6 and GND.
Part of the Perfect STEM course, you should have a Raspberry Pi, a button connected on GPIO 26 and 3.3V, and two motors connected to GPIO 27, GPIO 22, GPIO 23 and GPIO 24.
As the name indicates, ultrasonic sensors measure distance by using ultrasonic waves. One of the “eyes” on the sensor head is the transmitter and emits an ultrasonic wave and the other “eye” is the receiver which receives the wave reflected back from the target.
Part of the Perfect STEM course, you should have a Raspberry Pi and an LED connected on GPIO 18 for this example to work.
This is the fifth level of the Robotics with LEGO curriculum for students in fifth to twelfth grades.
In this level students will learn how to work with data measured by the sensors. The concept of Algorithm is introduced and the programs perform calculations without knowing the values beforehand. The programming blocks transfer data between each other via data wires. The robots are designed to address the problems of security systems. Variety of alarm systems are built and the physical principles of different security methods are considered.
The first level of the Robotics with LEGO curriculum for students in fifth to twelfth grades.
Various constructions with robots are built. Learn how to control the motors so that the robot navigates around the Moon and Earth in various ways. Getting to know the first two sensors. The robot can feel its surroundings with the help of the Touch sensor and avoid obstacles.
The Ultrasonic distance sensor can help the robot avoid obstacles. Students work with concepts like loop, degrees and medium motor. Robots can now do two different actions at the same time - while solving missions on a field, the third motor clears detected obstacles.
The second level of the Robotics with LEGO curriculum for students from fifth to twelfth grades.
Students build multiple robots with thread chains and become familiar with the physical concepts of momentum and center of gravity. The concept of gears, their use and basic constructions involving gears are studied.
The new concept of "condition" is introduced in programming. Robots are becoming smarter as they can make complex decisions on their own. "Spy robots" follow their targets and avoid being noticed. This level introduces the light sensor which the robots use to recognize the colors of the objects they are looking for. Robots can stop on a black line and follow a route marked with a colored line on the floor.
The spy's most complex mission in the end of the level is to turn into a sumo wrestler and defeat any other robot in the ring.
This is the fifth level in the Robotics with LEGO curriculum for students in third or fourth grade.
For the first time robots with steering wheels are built in this level. Those robots use one or two drive motors. The work of the differential and its usage in vehicles is explored. Students learn in-depth the working of the light sensor to create better line-following programs. The first two-wheeled motorcycle-robot is built.
The fourth level of the Robotics with LEGO curriculum for students from fifth to twelfth grades.
In this level students focus on the rotational sensor that is part of every motor in the robotics set. Students also learn to use the fourth sensor in the robotics set - the gyro sensor.
First few robot constructions imitate sea-animals and their behavior. Students create programs that check whether the robot's claws or pecks have successfully caught an object. That sensor in the motors allows the robots to go back in their lairs even after the use of unlimited movement. The rest of the robots are modeled after boats, yachts, and ships. With the help of the gyro sensor, students can set a course for their robots to a given angle and can detect deviations from the course. In open seas, there may be sea-monsters and the robots are being programmed to detect a sudden change in acceleration with the help of the said sensor.
In this course, you don't need robots and programming. In this course, students will experiment with physical and chemical concepts, like balance, forces, gravity, inertia, temperature, ratios, and others.
