Classroom Resources: EV3 - Classroom Management & Resources
First Days of School
If STEM Robotics is a CTE (Career and Technical Education) class, then making this distinction with students gives a segue to establishing a classroom environment that is more consistent with the career world than other classes.
Since Robotics is a STEM class, the career environment presented here is that of a professional working in a high-tech company.
When a professional Scientist, Technologist, Engineer or Mathematician hires into a new company, the first thing they experience is an Orientation session which equips them to work within the company culture. Topics covered during Orientation usually include the company's Mission Statement, Goals and Values, Rules and Expectations, and security issues including creating a I.D. card for the new employee. Similarly, at CTE STEM class may also establish its own classroom culture, reflecting that of the professional STEM career world. One such example is presented below.
Mission Statement
This resource: is an example of Mission Statement for a STEM Robotics class.
Goal and Values
This resource: is a Goal and Values PowerPoint file, intended both as a presentation and classroom poster.
Goal and Values_Student Self-Evaluation
This resource: provides a student self-evaluation for the STEM Robotics Classroom Goal and Values
Rule and Expectations
This resource: is a Goal and Values PowerPoint file, intended both as a presentation and classroom poster.
I.D. Cards
This resource: contains instructions and files for make photo I.D. cards for students.
FaceCards
This resource: provides an lower cost/maintenance alternative to I.D. Cards.
Job Application
This resource: is Job Application for a Robotics Engineer Level I which is intended as pre/post self-reflection piece.
Robotics Kit Contract
This resource: is a contract for students/parents covering the NXT Kit use and responsibilities.
Intial Survey
This resource: is a get-to-know-you exercise that ties higher-order thinking skills/classes to higher paying jobs.
Pre Assessment For Robotics Knowledge
This resource: is a basic PPT for a preassessment of prior robotics knowledge
Classroom Procedures
This section contains best practices, tips, tricks, and other resources to help run a STEM Robotics classroom. Registered Teacher_Users are encouraged to add their own successful ideas using the "Add Classroom Resource" Wizard at the top of the Navigation Tree (left-hand pane).
2:1 Student to Kit Ratio
This resource: provides the reasoning behind favoring a 2 students-per-kit ratio.
Organization Placards for EV3 Core Set and EV3 Expansion Set
This resource: contains the organization placards included in the top of the NXT kit, but missing with the EV3 kit.
Quick Kit Inventory
This resource: provides tips and strategies for keeping the EV3 & WeDo 2.0 kits organized.
Surveys with boxes for Inventory Replacement Form
This resource: provides a missing parts and replacement form.
Team Effectiveness Evaluation
This resource: provides a quick student self-evaluation of their team dynamics.
Robo-Share
This resource: is a technique for improving awareness of STEM outside the classroom.
STEM Robotics 101 Invitational Specifications
This resource: is the specification for an inter-school competition which utilizes three challenges derived from the STEM robotics 101 curriculum.
Engineering Notebook Sample Handout
This resource: is a handout of an example of how to format a table of contents and entry page for a student engineering notebook.
Robot Design Rubric
This resource: is a rubric to evaluate student robot hardware and software design.
EV3 Student Workbook
This resource: is a workbook for students to follow through an introductory STEM Robotics 101 class. It incorporates content leading to the Sumo Bot Challenge form the STEM Robotics 101 Invitational. The original Publisher file as well as a pdf version are attached.
FLL in the Daytime Classroom
This resource: describe how to run a FIRST LEGO League Team during the daytime classroom. Cherise Marshall of Washougal WA documents the techniques, procedures and resources she uses to run her school's FLL team from your regular STEM Robotics 101 classroom. Cherise's team made it all the way to Washington State Championships during their rookie season.
Student Choice Topical Programming Course
This resource: is a choice-enabled approach to teaching the basic programming lessons by topic. Student choose which challenges they want to tackle following the the EV3 Trainer modules in the order presented (Movement, Sensors, Decisions).
Tips & Tricks: Software
This section contains tips, tricks, undocumented (or poorly documented) features, troubleshooting/debugging techniques, workarounds, etc. for the EV3-G programming software. EV3 is fairly new, so this is a work-in-progress!
Free Online version of EV3 Trainer series Robotics Academy
This resource: is the link to the free online version of Introduction to Programming LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 curriculum (a.k.a. EV3 Trainer) from Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Academy. A few of the advanced topics are not available in the free version (the are "grayed-out") and the online Teacher Guide does not include these sections either.
Debugging Tips
This resource: is a list of Hardware Debugging Tech Tips come from John Heffernan (Williamsburg Elementary Schools, Williamsburg, MA):
Recovery from Failed Firmware Update
This resource: is a technique to recover from a failed firmware update.
Sharing My Blocks (and other files) between EV3 Projects
This resource: describes how to copy My Blocks, Sound Files, Image Files, etc. between one EV3 Project and another.
Controlling Multiple EV3's through Daisy Chaining
This resource: describes how to control multiple EV3 bricks with one EV-G program using a technique called Daisy Chaining.
EV3-G FLL Coach Primer
This resource: is a well produced primer for EV3 intended for FLL Coaches. It provided an overview of EV3 hardware and EV3-G software, with an emphasis on the new features beyond NXT.
Move Steering Block Analysis
This resource: is a detailed analysis of the Move Steering Block which explains why its behavior is quite different than the NXT Move Block steering.
Using NXT Light Sensor with EV3-G software
This resource: explains two techniques for using the NXT light sensor with the EV3-G software.
EV3 Lessons: Adding Blocks This resource: is a PowerPoint from EV3 Lessons addressing how to add blocks to the LEGO EV3 Programming Software.
EV3 Lessons: Using the NXT Sounds Sensor with EV3 This resource: is a PowerPoint from EV3 Lessons addressing how to use the NXT Sound Sensor with the EV3 Software.
Tips & Tricks: Hardware
This section contains tips, tricks, undocumented (or poorly documented) features, troubleshooting/debugging techniques, workarounds, etc. for the NXT hardware.
EV3 Kit Comparison
This resource: is a web site which provides a nice comparison between the EV3 Home and Educational sets.
General Troubleshooting Tips
This resource: is a list of Hardware Debugging Tech Tips from John Heffernan (Williamsburg Elementary Schools, Williamsburg, MA):
EV3 Sensors
This resource: is a web site which provides a nice description of the EV3 sensors.
EV3/NXT Comparison
This resource: explains different between EV3 and NXT.
Eliminating Gyro Sensor Drift
This resource: describes how to deal with drift in the Gyro Sensor readings and provides technical details on the Gyro Sensor
Ordering Spare Parts
This resource: is the link to order individual parts for the EV3 from LEGO. Select "Buy Bricks" and then specify the 45544 Education Core kit.
Spare Ball Bearings
This resource: is the link to order spare ball bearings from a non-LEGO source. The LEGO parts are quite pricey and often back-ordered.
3D Printed Ball Caster
This resource: is a link to a 3d printed ball caster that uses a standard mouse ball (with rubber removed) for the metal ball bearing
EV3 Lessons: Common Brick Problems This resource: is a PowerPoint from EV3 Lessons addressing common hardware problems with the EV3 brick.
LEGO Pneumatics This resource: is a PowerPoint slide overview of the LEGO Pneumatics components are their functions.
After-School Robotics Club Resources
This section contains resouces unique to teaching STEM Robotics 101 in an after-school club environment.
Small Grant Opportunities for Teachers
This resource: is a very easy grant to get if you are a classroom teacher. Take about 20 minutes to write a grant, then watch the money flow in. I have written three of these grants and have received full funding on all of them. You start out writing small grants, then you can increase your grant requests each time you write another.
Centralia Summer School 15 Day Plan
This resource: outlines the content for a 15 day summer robotics camp. Students attend summer school from 8:30-11:45 daily.
Competitive Robotics Resources
This section contains resource for teachers/coaches involved in competitive robotics. Several are specific to the FIRST LEGO League (FLL), but many are applicable to any robotics competition.
Official FLL Resources
This resource: is a set of commonly needed links to the Official FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Resources.
Unofficial FLL Resources
This resource: is a set of links to third party FLL resources.
Competitive Robotics Techniques Instructional Resource
This resource: is the STEM Robotics 101 EV3 Unit entitled "Competitive Robotics Techniques", which contains a series of lessons for students engaged in competitive robotics. Topics include, Debugging Techniques, Reliability, Ramping Power, Squaring on Lines, Stall Detection and Menu Systems.
FLL in the Daytime Classroom
This resource: describes how to run a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Team during the daytime classroom. Cherise Marshall of Washougal WA documents the techniques, procedures and resources she uses to run her school's FLL team from her regular STEM Robotics 101 classroom. Many of her resources are applicable to after-school robotics teams as well.
Building Competition Robots by EV3Lessons
This resource: is a link to the Robot Design Lessons page at EV3Lessons.com. Topics include Building a Competition Robot, Cable Management, Color Sensor Placement/Shielding, and Gearing. The PowerPoint files for these lessons as of 7/23/16 are attached below, but it is suggested that you use the provide link to get the latest versions.
FLL Programming Workshops by EV3Lessons
This resource: is a link to the FLL Programming Workshop page at EV3Lessons.com. Several concepts from STEM Robotics 101 introductory programming lessons (Units 4 thru 7) and advanced programming lessons (Units 8 thru 10) are presented in a very condensed format. Topics include Basic Movement, Sensor Wait-For Blocks, Line Following, Movement with My Blocks, Reliability, Robot Alignment and Calibration. The PowerPoint files for these lessons as of 7/23/16 are attached below, but it is suggested that you use the provided link to get the latest versions.
Team Building/FLL Core Value Activities
This resource: is a link to some Team Building exercises by EV3Lessons.com which may be used to practice for the FLL Core Values Judging session.
Coach's Corner
This resource: is a series of papers written by veteran FLL Coaches covering subjects ranging from scheduling and budgets to motivation and maximizing learning.
After-school FLL Club Application and Parent Letter
This resource: is a model of a middle school student application and parent letter for an after-school FLL Club (a.k.a. Varsity Robotics Team). It outlines the team's expectations and procedures, requests a written application by students, provides parent info and solicits parent solicits parent contact information and team involvement involvement.
Course Level Resources
CTE Middle School Framework & Leadership Equivalency
This framework incorporates the new (2017) Washington State CTE Framework Template and incorporates the Common Core Standards for Math/ELA, NGSS and WA CS standards along with an aligment of FIRST LEGO League to the 21st Century Skills.
CTE High School Framework & Leadership Equivalency
This framework incorporates the new (2017) Washington State CTE Framework Template and incorporates the Common Core Standards for Math/ELA, NGSS and WA CS standards.
CTE Science Course Equivalency Framework & Leadership Equivalency
This resource includes the PROPOSED (OSPI approval in progress) CTE Science Course Equivalency Framework and Leadership Equivalency for offering a high school science credit for STEM Robotics 101.
Scope and Sequence: Course-at-a-Glance & Customization Guide
This resource provides a color-coded overview of the STEM Robotics 101 EV3 scope-and-sequence and a course customization guide.
Instructional Resources
This section describes and provides the links for EV3 resources used/linked throughout this curriculum or presented as alternative content sources. From this section you can print various user's guides and other guides that will aide in the understanding of the material covered.
FIRST LEGO League Standards Alignment
This resource is an alignment of FIRST LEGO League with Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards and 21st Century Skills for 4th grade, 5th grade and 6-8 grades as well as the "Transforming Teaching: FIRST LEGO League as a Classroom Resource for 21st Century Learning"
EV3 Lessons for Tablet EV3 Programming Apps (iPad & Chromebook)
This resource is a series of PowerPoint lessons by EV3Lessons.com adapting their tutorials to iPad and Chromebook App version of EV3-G. These lessons may be used a Primary Instructional Material for programing lessons in Units 1 through 7 in STEM Robotics 101 EV3 for iPad/Chromebook users.
Tech Workforce Videos
This resource is a collection of video vignettes from students, professionals, business owners and college instructors talking about STEM workforce opportunities in Washington State.
Virtual Robotics Classroom with CoderZ - FREE During COVID Crisis (sponsored by Amazon Future Engineer)
This resource is a collection resources aournd CoderZ - a Chrome-based virtual robotics classroom. Amazon Future Engieer is sponsosring free access to 4 levels of robot coding courses for FREE to ALL U.S. SCHOOLS CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19. The first two level use the LEGO EV3 robot and the last two a custom robot named Ruby.
