March 9, 2008

Robotic Engineering

Pacing Guide of Main Units of Study

Introduction to Robotics.....................................................................................................1
Introduction to VEX Programming.....................................................................................1
Physics and Robotics.........................................................................................................2
Sensors .............................................................................................................................2
Arms and End Effectors.....................................................................................................2
Careers..............................................................................................................................3

Units of Study

Introduction to Robotics
Students will understand that using the robotic engineering design cycle creates an
efficient process for safely building robots.

Students will know:

• robotic terms and concepts.
• how to organize research in a notebook according to the engineering design
cycle.
• how to follow directions to construct a robot.

Students will be able to:

• apply robotic concept while safety building a robot.
• apply the knowledge gained in the engineering design cycle to troubleshoot robots.

Unit Assessment - By the end of this unit each student will:

• demonstrate how to control robots using radio control.

Introduction to VEX Programming

Students will understand that robots operate using computer programming to enhance
tasks.

Students will know:

• the difference between RC control and autonomous control.
• correct program flow.
• the main programming structures and components.

Students will be able to:

• load a program to the microcontroller.
• write pseudo code.
• create programs to make the robot move forward, backward, left and right.

Unit Assessment - By the end of this unit each student will:

• Make a BaseBot follow a complex path using programming in autonomous
mode
 March 9, 2008

Physics and Robotics

Students will understand that applying physics concepts improves the functionality of
robots being built.

Students will know:

• physics concepts.
• how to use motors as part of a robot

Students will be able to:

• apply physics concepts to change the functionality of robots.
• use motors to move a robot to a specific destination

Unit Assessment - By the end of this unit each student will:

• apply physics concepts to configure the BaseBot to pull a weighted sled.

Sensors
Students will understand that sensors are the input of a robot.

Students will know:

• the different types of sensors robots use.
• the difference between digital and analog sensors.

Students will be able to:

• attach sensors to their robot.
• create an autonomous sensor enabled robot.

Unit Assessment - By the end of this unit each student will:

• enhance a BaseBot with sensors so it can find and knock over a target
autonomously in a specified time period.

Arms and End Effectors

Students will understand that adding an arm and end effectors helps a robot become
more functional.

Students will know:

• how an arm and end effector function on a robot.
• that arms and end effectors have limitations.

Students will be able to:

• attach an arm and end effector to a robot.
• move items using an arm and end effector.

Unit Assessment - By the end of this unit each student will be able to use an arm and
end effector to retrieve an object.
 March 9, 2008

Careers
Students will understand different careers/applications in the field of robotics.

Students will know:

• different careers related to robotics.
• what robotics does for humanity.
• different applications of robotics.

Students will be able to:

• find quality information about robotics careers.
• explain how a robot functions to extend human capabilities

Unit Assessment - By the end of this unit each student will share a robotics
presentation to the class.

Priorities:
Scott:
Intro to Robotics
Physics and Robotics
Arms and End Effectors

Randy:
Intro to Programming
Sensors
Careers