The Bug Project
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Today we got a new method of making robotics out of Lego sets. We learned how to use the software RoboLab to make things work the way we want.There were several choices for us. We chose the bug to build because the picture on the cover was fun looking, and we were curious to know how we could make a bug move forward and backward, or turn around and around.
We began to build the bug. One thing we found is that the bug got a lot of strange Lego parts for it. In order to construct its eyes and antennae, we found interesting looking lego sets and had to figure hard to see how the parts fit together.Chia-ling was actually putting things together. I was sorting out the parts that were needed for each step for her. Sonja was grouping all the Lego sets in the box and made them in order so that others may find it helpful to use.

When we finished the construction, we tested the built-in programs for the bug and found that the bug could move if we set it to a certain program and push the on button. It was like a toy. Then we tried to make our own programs by using RoboLab to make the bug go. We figured out what each symbol means in the program. We found that it was vivid and easy to manage. This must be easier for a kid to use compared with the Control Lab, where the kid has to type in words and characters to make procedures. Sonja made two programs and I made one program. We tested the program. It was a joy to see them work on the bug. We found that the gears simulated the real walking motion of a bug. The four legs use different strength and made it move differently.

 

Lesson Plan
Grade level: 4-12

Materials for the class:
_a set of instructions in assembling the fan ( logo dacta)
_lego sets
_computer
_Robo Lab Software
_Technology investigations and inventions books 9701-3 project books

Objectives:
nto know how we can simulate the moving of a bug to build the bug robotics out of the lego parts.
nto assemble the lego set into a bug.
nTo see how to use Robo Lab to build a vivid program
nTo know how to use gears to simulate the legs of the bug so that the bug can go forward, backward, and turn around.

Procedure:
_ ask the students to form groups of two or three
_ have the students to assemble the car following the instruction of the booklet
_ have them connect the bug with the computer and the gadgets used to receive the program from the computer.
_ let the students explore how to use the Robo Lab icons to build programs

For more information about Robo Labs, go to the following sites:
Tufts Robolab
Robolab in Action
Utrecht Robolab