Robot Memories
2 hours
Ages 7-13
What Will You Make?
You will will design, build and program a robot memory box.
What Will You Learn?
Participants will learn the basics of coding tri-LEDs and motors using Makecode. You will also learn to rapidly prototype different designs.
Make a Robot Memory Box
The Challenge
Design and create a moving, colorful memory to fit inside a box.
Suggested Criteria (Things your robot must do)
- Must include at least 1 tri-colored LED, 1 motor.
- Hide the wires as best you can.
Suggested Constraints (Limits on your project)
- Size limit suggestion: Shoe box
- Must fit inside the box you have.
Prototype
Draw or make a prototype – a rough first draft – of your design. Start with a non-moving prototype. Then consider where motors, sensors and other electronic components can be added. Use the Engineering Design Process and Prototyping Cards to guide the process.
Add Lights and Motors
Tri-Color LEDs
A tri-color LED is a small light with four wires. The tri-color LED actually has three tiny lights inside it. One is red, one is green, and one is blue. You can combine different amounts of red, green, and blue light to make different colors.
Use the video tutorials to learn to program using the tri-color LEDs, as needed.
Rotation Servos
The rotation servo is a motor that can rotate at different speeds.
Use the video tutorials to learn to program using the rotate servos, as needed.
Add a Sensor
Distance Sensor
Add a distance sensor, so that the memory is only triggered when someone gets close. A distance sensor is a component that collects data based on how close or far you are to the sensor. The range of the distance sensor is 1 to 260 cm.
Use the video tutorials to learn to program using the distance sensor, as needed.
Gather Data
Gather the distance sensor data – either display the sensor data on the micro:bit LED array or your tablet display. See this example code in MakeCode.
Note how the sensor data changes as you move the sensor closer to and further from an object.
You will use this data to determine your threshold, or cut off point.
Tigger a Motor
Program a conditional statement to use the distance sensor’s data to trigger the motors and LEDs to move and change colors.
Check out this example code in MakeCode.
What Is Happening Here?
Sensors and Triggers
In this project, we trigger actions from the tri-color LEDs and motors when the sensors gather input. There are many types of input and output possible with our micro:bit and sensors.
The Sense-Think-Act Board is a great way to demonstrate the Hummingbird Robotics Kit and what makes a robot. These instructions will help you to create your own Sense-Think-Act Board.
What Is Next?
Create a Sequence
Build a short sequence of movements to be triggered!
About CodeJoy Education
CodeJoy (Kelsey Derringer and Matt Chilbert) created a live webinar studio that captures the essence of what it means to learn in a classroom. They combine multiple cameras, studio-quality video production, and thoughtful teaching to create an authentic classroom experience that you can join from anywhere. Think of a CodeJoy class as a live, fully- interactive TV show. CodeJoy uses humor, special effects, and narrative storytelling to engage and educate students about robotics and coding – allowing students to control REAL robots in REAL time during the session. Classes can serve large or small audiences, from a single classroom to an entire district!
