Subject: Science/Social Skills/Language Arts
Grade Level: 6-8 (Self-Contained Special Education Behavior Program)
Common Core State Standards:
-CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.3: Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
-CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.4: Determine meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics.
-CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.7: Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually.
Objectives:
To build and program a robot to complete various challenges by using cooperative learning skills to follow multi-step directions, while demonstrating respectful and responsible behavior with materials and peers.
Materials:
-Lego Mindstorms NXT Kit/Software
-Student issued laptops
Outline:
Over the course of several days, students will review directions for assembling the robot, make sure all necessary materials are present for construction, then work together to build the robot. Using the included software, students will then program their robots to complete simple tasks as outlined by the STEM curriculum template:
(http://www.depts.ttu.edu/tstem/curriculum/robotics/docs/simple_programming_challenges.pdf)Evaluation:
Students will keep a daily log of the steps they completed in the construction of the robot, and how they participated in the process. They will use teacher- designed rubrics to evaluate their own participation, as well as the participation of their peers. Upon completion of the project, each student will write a reflection essay about the experience.
