Calibrating
SAM
Student groups will collect data and construct functions that will allow them
to control the robot. The concepts of input, output, domain and range will also
be explored. |
Bug
Zapper
Student groups will use Trigonometry to create a function that will
automate the Pointer to zap a bug with a laser. The position of
the bug will be the input and output will be the angle the pointer
must turn. |
SAM
Plays T-Ball
Student groups will collect data to construct a function that they will use to
operate SAM's robot arm. They will also program SAM to automatically move to
a cup to knock a ball off. |
Binary
Signals
Student groups will develop, test and evaluate a coding system which they use
to send signals to other students and to an RC vehicle. |
In
the Right Place
Student groups will test and evaluate alternative software systems for positioning
the SAM robot. The concepts of automation, feedback and the design process are
emphasized. |
Color
Sines
Student groups investigate the RGB system for replicating colors and use trigonometric
functions to program a sequence of color changes. |
Lighting
Student groups design and test software algorithms to control the lighting in
a room. They evaluate alternative solutions in terms of energy efficiency,
response time and general effectiveness. |
Servo
and Stepper Motors
Student test and learn to control servo motors and stepper motors using calculator
software. After the activity, students have the necessary background to undertake
projects using these inexpensive motors. |
Star
Show
Students use spherical coordinates as they plan a simulated astronomical observing
session
to
photograph
a
variety
of
star
types. |
Introduction
to Control Systems
Using the Binary Basic Trainer or the Motor Controller, student learn to connect
simple electrical circuits and to control DC motors, buzzers, lights and other
devices
using sensors
and
simple logic statements.
|
One-Dimensional
Motion
Student groups investigate the importance of acceleration in predicting and controlling
the motion of a motorized vehicle. |
Magnetic
Fields
Students guide a simulated electrically charged particle by placing steering
magnets in the correct location and with the correct orientation. |
Tow
Truck
Student groups use the SAM robot to do specified quantities of positive and negative
work.
|
Light
Rays
Using the SAM robot, students control a reflected light beam and investigate
how bending of light rays is related to wave velocity. |
DC
Motors
Learners build and test a circuit using relays to run DC motors forward or backwards
under calculator control, operating equipment such as a toy bulldozer, a Lego
vehicle or a K’Nex crane. They integrate their circuit into
a larger system to complete a sequence of events in the style of Rube Goldberg. |
Monster
3D
SAM
follows a path and fires a laser at several monsters along the way. Studentsl
need to construct equations that will calculate angles in
the XZ-coordinate plane so that the movement of both the robot (aligned along
the Y-axis) and a pointer (aligned along the X-axis) will combine to aim the
laser and shoot each monster. Created by Kathy Ellington, Jim Lester, and Hal
Repasky |
|
Vibrations -
Students investigate an example of simple harmonic motion and then
apply their understanding to (a) predict how a different system
will vibrate, and (b) replicate
the motion
using an electric motor. |
