Emily Stone, Katie Dardis, Rachael Rzepka, Courtney Ariola

Robot Or Not?

About our district:• Suburban school• Elementary, Middle and High School• Roughly 3,550 students enrolled• Technology funds in reserves

About our current MST courses:• 40 minute math period, 40 minute science period• Technology electives- wood shop, metal shop, computer

design

INTRODUCTION

Math, science and technology education can be integrated through topic based sequence, network or shared. MST is hands-on, visual, real-world connections, engaging, multiple learning styles and inquiry based instruction. It requires students to use thought provoking, critical thinking and problem solving skills, while allowing for the transfer of knowledge and understanding.

TYPES OF INTEGRATION

WHAT IS MST?

• Standard 1- Analysis, Inquiry and DesignStudents will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry and engineering design as appropriate to pose questions, seek answers and develop solutions.

• Standard 2- Information SystemsStudents will access, generate, process and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

• Math, Science and Technology Elementary Core Curriculum: Standard 5 Technology Education

Engineering Design Key Idea: Engineering design is an iterative process involving modeling and optimization used to develop technological solutions to problems within given constraints. Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers and develop solutions.

STANDARDS AND OUTCOMES

We are proposing to implement an MST based robotics course for 6th grade students. During this course, students will be designing and fabricating a robotic vehicle which will be required to successfully complete a series of tasks. Robotics incorporates many skills found in the math, science and technology standards. Throughout the course, students will be using problems solving, design, computation and inquiry skills to plan, build and execute their robotic vehicle. They will investigate mechanical and electrical principles, learn simple programming and debugging techniques, construct and program robots using the Lego Mindstorms Education NXT Base Set. This will provide students with real world experiences and give them insights to future occupational opportunities.

PROPOSAL

So you want to be an Engineer?

How to enhance teen interest in STEM based occupations??

Students building robots..

A GREAT resource for Robotics Education.

WHY ROBOTICS COURSES?

• Students will deepen their problem solving skills through hands-on, inquiry-based activities.

• Students with an interest in engineering, design and computer programing will be given an opportunity to experiment with real world situations making them college and career ready.

• Students will increase their ability to think in a logical/mathematical sense.

• Students will be able to take advantage of a course that incorporates the use of multiple learning styles.

• Students will focus on using engineering design principles to construct and program robotic vehicles to complete various tasks.

• Students will benefit from transfer of knowledge while building upon smaller, pre-existing skills to generate more complex thinking processes.

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS

• Product cost- about $300 per kit, 2 students per kit15 kits for 30 students per class (optional)- $4,500.

• Teacher training- online training $499.00http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/content/lego/teacher_training/sub_pages/web_courses/index_tx.htm

• Robotic building license including program updates and maintenance- $499 initially and an additional $104 each year.http://robomatter.com/Shop-By-Robot/NXT-Robots/Programming/ROBOTC-Building-License

• Total of $5,602.00

• Adopt a classroom• Technology grants• Technology reserves

FUNDING

“Hands on programs allow students to use formulas, patterns and equations to test theories and see how things actually work. According to a paper published in the journal of research on technology in education, studies show that hands on experimentation with robots in these areas help transform abstract ideas into concrete understanding. This level of understanding helps raise student achievement both in the classroom and on standardized tests.”

- Patti Richards, E-How Contributor

IMPACT ON MST CURRICULUM

What does this mean for math, technology and science?

Math:• Enhanced problem solving through critical thinking and deductive reasoning.• Students are challenged to think logically to solve real-world problems.• Students are motivated to use pencil and paper concepts and formulas to bring their

learned skills to life.• Challenge based lessons are related to math concepts such as angles, distance,

perimeter, area, measurement, shapes, data collection, graphing and basic arithmetic. Science:• Challenge based lessons are related to science concepts such as velocity, force, energy,

simple machines, centripetal force, data collection, graphing, and the scientific method.Technology:• Design and construct their own robot to meet the challenges posed in daily lessons. • Students will ask questions, seek answers and create programs that solve the daily

challenges. • Challenge based lessons are related to technology concepts such as planning, building,

modeling, investigations, discussions regarding trial and error, review of written observations, using computers to design, control computerized devices and systems through programming, and model and simulate the design of a complex environment by giving direct commands.

IMPACT ON THE CURRICULUM CONT.

• Half a year course• Taught 2 times a year• Course will be implemented during a pre-existing planning

period so no other courses need to be eliminated• All current technology teachers have agreed to forfeit one

of their planning periods• An elective for students who participated in an after

school club and hold an interest in a future career as an engineer or computer programmer.

DESIGN OF COURSE AND SCHEDULING

• First session students will just play with the different pieces and parts of their kit (free explore)

• Next 2 sessions students will explore and build their robots • For 2-3 weeks students will complete an orientation on expectations,

challenges and basic programming (how to go forward, backward, turn, etc.)

• The following weeks until week 19 students will complete various challenges with daily lessons. Students will have to redesign their robots in order to complete each challenge.

• By week 15, students must have their final project challenge idea approved by teacher.

• Week 20 students will present their final project preapproved by the teacher to demonstrate their challenge created by the students.

OUTLINE

There is such a focus on preparing students to be college and career ready in the common branch subjects that we also need to explore and prepare students in non-traditional experiences, such as computer programming, engineering and technological design, by demonstrating that we need to look at other career explorations to fully prepare them for what their future may hold.

We already have students who are interested in experiences like this course would offer, so we need to make sure we are giving students the opportunity to explore those options and possibilities.

HOW TO DEAL WITH RESISTANT TEACHERS