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. |
Right
Triangle SAM
Student groups will use algebra and trigonometry to automate SAM
the Robot to complete a right triangular path. The program SCHOME
generates two values X & Y that are used to move the robot down
two legs of a right triangle. Students are challenged to construct
functions that the program can use to guide SAM straight back to
its starting point
|
Time
to Climb
Student groups will use algebra and geometry to automate the calculator-controlled
Power Pulley to raise an action figure from the table to the top
of a stand. The action figure must travel the entire distance is
an inputted period of time T. Participants will need to construct
a function that will output the angular speed of the motor U.
|
Pegboard
Line
Student groups will use linear algebra to automate the calculator-controlled
Pointer to allign a wooden rod between two points marked on a pegboard
and to display the equation of the line containing them. The slope
formula along with the point-slope and slope-intercept forms of
a line will be utilized.
|
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 |
Winch
in a Pinch
Student groups will construct a function to automate the Pointer/Power
Pulley to move a toy truck up a ramp. The students will be given
information about the motor including pictures of the gears. The
function they construct should input the distance the the operator
wants the truck to travel and output the "steps" the motor
needs to turn to do the job. |
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. |
Reflection
(draft)
Students
control the rotation of mirrors. |
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