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STEM Education with a Robotics Implementation

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Course: STEM Robotics 101 NXT
- Guide: READ ME: Conventions & Layout
- Classroom Resources: STEM Robotics Classroom Management & Resources
- Unit 1: Robo Intro
  - Lesson 1: What is a Robot?
  - Lesson 2: Introduction to NXT
    - Guide: Introduction to NXT
    - Primary: Introduction to NXT
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (6)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Introduction to LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Kit Starter
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Video Search and Analysis
      - Introduction to NXT_Unit Level Quiz Questions
        Answer Key: Introduction to NXT
  - Lesson 3: NXT Kit Overview
    - Guide: NXT Kit Overview
    - Primary: NXT Kit Overview
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (4)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - NXT Kit Overview_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Kit Overview Log
  - Lesson 4: NXT Parts Exploration
    - Guide: NXT Parts Exploration
    - Primary: NXT Parts Exploration
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (5)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Parts Exploration_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Building Structures and Bridges
      - Instructional Material: LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Parts Exploration _Unit Level Quiz Questions
        Answer Key: Answer-key
    - Additional Assessments (2)
      - Alternative: Tower Build
      - Extended: I Know My Parts Challenge
  - Lesson 5: Introduction to Gear Trains
    - Guide: Introduction to Gear Trains
    - Primary: Introduction to Gear Trains
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (2)
      - Alternative: Comprehensive PowerPoint 1.5 - Introduction to Gear Trains
      - Supplemental: Bike Gearing Video
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Introduction to Gear Trains_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Bicycle Gearing Analogy Log
      - Introduction to Gear Trains_Unit Level
        Answer Key: Introduction to Gear Trains_Unit Level
  - Lesson 6: Faraday Golfing Machine
    - Guide: Faraday Golfing Machine
    - Primary: Faraday Golfing Machine
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Alternative: Comprehensive PowerPoint 1.6 - NXT First Build Faraday Golfing
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Faraday Golfing Machine_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Faraday Golfing Machine_Challenge & Task Sheet
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Extended: Faraday Golf Challenge Research Project
  - Summative Assessments (1)
    - Introduction to Robotics_Unit
      - Answer Key: Introduction to Robotics_Unit
- Unit 2: Circuits and Computers
  - Lesson 1: Circuits and Switches
  - Lesson 2: The NXT Circuit
    - Guide: The NXT Circuit
    - Primary: The NXT Circuit
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (2)
      - Alternative: The NXT Circuit (incl. Formative Assessment)
      - Alternative: Comprehensive PowerPoint 2.2 - The NXT Circuit
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - The NXT Circuit_FA
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - The NXT Circuit_Unit Level
        Answer Key: The NXT Circuit_Unit Level
  - Lesson 3: Powering the NXT
    - Guide: Powering the Brick
    - Primary: Powering the NXT
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Alternative: Comprehensive PowerPoint 2.3 - Powering the NXT
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Powering the NXT Starter
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Powering the NXT_Unit Level Quiz Question
        Answer Key: Powering the NXT_Unit Level Quiz Question
  - Lesson 4: NXT Test Circuits (View Mode)
    - Guide: NXT Test Circuits (View Mode)
    - Primary: NXT Test Circuits (View Mode)
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (2)
      - Alternative: Comprehensive PowerPoint 2.4 - NXT Test Circuits (View Mode)
      - Supplemental: View Mode Video
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - NXT Test Circuits (View Mode)_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - NXT Test Circuits (View Mode)_Worksheet
        Answer Key: NXT Test Circuits (View Mode) Worksheet
      - NXT Test Circuits (View Mode)_ Unit Level Quiz
        Answer Key: NXT Test Circuits (View Mode)_ Unit Level Quiz
  - Lesson 6: Introduction to Computers
  - Lesson 7: Moore's Law
    - Guide: Moore's Law
    - Primary: Moore's Law
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (8)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Moore's Law_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Moore's Law_Worksheet
        Answer Key: Moore's Law_Worksheet
      - Moore's Law_Unit Level
        Answer Key: Moore's Law_Unit Level
  - Lesson 7: The NXT Computer
    - Guide: The NXT Computer
    - Primary: The NXT Computer
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (3)
    - Formative Assessments (2)
      - The NXT Computer_Starter
      - The NXT Computer (with Formative Assessment)
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - The NXT Computer_Worksheet
        Answer Key: The NXT Computer_Worksheet
      - The NXT Computer_Unit Level
        Answer Key: The NXT Computer_Unit Level
  - Lesson 8: NXT Test Programs (Try Me Mode)
    - Guide: NXT Test Programs (Try Me Mode)
    - Primary: NXT Test Programs (Try Me Mode)
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Alternative: Comprehensive PowerPoint 2.8 - NXT Test Programs (Try Me Mode)
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - NXT Test Programs (Try Me Mode)
        Answer Key: NXT Test Programs (Try Me Mode)
  - Formative Assessments (2)
    - Circuits and Computers_Starter
    - Circuits and Computers_Jeopardy Game
  - Summative Assessments (1)
    - Circuits and Computers_Unit Level Quiz
      - Answer Key: Circuits and Computers_Unit Level Quiz
- Unit 3: Hardware, Software, Firmware
  - Lesson 1: Microprocessors
    - Guide: Microprocessors
    - Primary: Microprocessors
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (4)
    - Formative Assessments (2)
      - Microprocessors_Starters
      - Microprocessors (with Formative Assessment)
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Microprocessors_Worksheet
        Answer Key: Microprocessors_Worksheet
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Alternative: PB&J Lab Pseudocode Sheet
  - Lesson 2: NXT Firmware
    - Guide: NXT Firmware
    - Primary: NXT Firmware
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (3)
    - Formative Assessments (2)
      - Firmware_Starters
      - NXT Firmware (with Formative Assessment)
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - NXT Firmware_Worksheet
  - Lesson 3: NXT Hardware
    - Guide: NXT Hardware
    - Primary: NXT Hardware
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (6)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - NXT Hardware_Starter
  - Lesson 4: NXT Software: On-Brick 5 Step Programming
    - Guide: NXT Software: On-Brick 5 Step Programming
    - Primary: NXT Software: On-Brick 5 Step Programming
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (2)
      - Supplemental: NXT Quick Start & 5-Step Programming Guides
      - Supplemental: Coding Video: The Importance of Learning to Program
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - NXT Software: On-Brick 5 Step Programming_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - NXT Software: On-Brick 5 Step Programming_Worksheet
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Alternative: 5 Step Programming Template
  - Summative Assessments (1)
    - Assessment_Unit_Hardware_Software_Firmware
- Unit 4: Straight Ahead
  - Lesson 1: "Using the NXT Video Trainer"
    - Guide: Using the NXT Video Trainer
    - Primary: Using the NXT Video Trainer 2.0
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Using the NXT Video Trainer_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Using the NXT Video Trainer_Unit Level
        Answer Key: Using the NXT Video Trainer_Unit Level
  - Lesson 2: "Using the NXT Programming Software"
    - Guide: Using the NXT Programming Software
    - Primary: Using the NXT Programming Software
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Alternative: Teaching your Robot
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Using the NXT Programming Software_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Using the NXT Programming Software_Unit Level
        Answer Key: Using the NXT Programming Software_Unit Level
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Alternative: NXT Programming Primer
  - Lesson 3: "Moving Straight"
    - Guide: Moving Straight
    - Primary: Moving Straight
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (5)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Moving Straight_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (3)
    - Additional Assessments (5)
  - Lesson 2: How Far?
    - Guide: How Far?
    - Primary: How Far?
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (3)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - How Far?_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - How Far?_Task Sheet
    - Additional Assessments (2)
      - Alternative: How Far?_Addition Math Problems
      - Extended: Knock It Off
        Rubric: Knock It Off
  - Lesson 3: How Fast?
    - Guide: How Fast?
    - Primary: How Fast?
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - How Fast?_Task Sheet
  - Lesson 6: Group Challenge: The Wave
    - Guide: Group Challenge: The Wave
    - Primary: Group Challenge: The Wave
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Supplemental: The Wave Planning Template
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Assessment_Moving_The Wave
  - Formative Assessments (1)
    - Straight Ahead_Unit Level
  - Summative Assessments (1)
    - Straight Ahead_Unit level
      - Answer Key: Straight Ahead_Unit level
- Unit 5: Sights, Sounds and Gears
  - Lesson 1: "Move until Dark"
    - Guide: Move until Dark
    - Primary: Move until Dark
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (5)
    - Formative Assessments (2)
      - Move until Dark_Starters
      - Move until Dark_Review
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Move until Dark_Task Sheet
      - Move until Dark_Unit Level
        Answer Key: Move until Dark_Unit Level
    - Additional Assessments (5)
  - Lesson 2: "Move Until Sound"
    - Guide: Move Until Sound
    - Primary: Move Until Sound
    - Formative Assessments (2)
      - Move Until Sound_Starter
      - Move Until Sound_Review
    - Summative Assessments (3)
    - Additional Assessments (2)
      - Alternative: Guided "Move Until Sound" Task Sheet
      - Alternative: Move Until Sound Project Packet
  - Lesson 3: Getting in Gear
    - Guide: Getting in Gear
    - Primary: Getting in Gear
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (8)
    - Formative Assessments (2)
      - Getting in Gear_Starter
      - Getting in Gear_Review
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Getting in Gear_Unit Level
        Answer Key: Getting in Gear_Unit Level
    - Additional Assessments (3)
  - Lesson 4: Engineering Challenge: Sound-Activated Robo-Dragster
    - Guide: Sound-Activated Robo-Dragster
    - Primary: Sound-Activated Robo-Dragster
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Sound-Activated Robo-Dragster_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (3)
    - Additional Assessments (6)
  - Formative Assessments (2)
    - Sights, Sounds and Gears_Review
    - Sights, Sounds and Gears_Unit_Quiz_Review
  - Summative Assessments (1)
    - Sights, Sounds and Gears_Unit_Level_Quiz
      - Answer Key: Sights, Sounds and Gears_Unit level
- Unit 6: Taking Turns
  - Lesson 1: "Turning"
    - Guide: Turning
    - Primary: Turning
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (3)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Taking Turns_Starters
    - Summative Assessments (5)
    - Additional Assessments (4)
  - Lesson 2: Motor Block
    - Guide: Motor Block
    - Primary: Motor Block Help File
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Extended: NXT Motor Characterization
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Motor Block_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Motor Block_Task_Chall
      - Motor Block_Unit Level
        Answer Key: Motor Block_Unit Level
  - Lesson 3: Introduction to Flow Charts
    - Guide: Introduction to Flow Charts
    - Primary: Introduction to Flow Charts_Prim
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Introduction to Flow Charts_Task
  - Lesson 4: Engineering Challenge: Robo-Tagger
    - Guide: The Robo-Tagger
    - Primary: "Problem Solving with Programming"
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (3)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Robo-Tagger Starter
    - Summative Assessments (3)
    - Additional Assessments (3)
  - Summative Assessments (1)
    - Taking Turns_Unit Level_Quiz
      - Answer Key: Taking Turns_Unit Level_Quiz
- Unit 7: See,Touch, Repeat
  - Lesson 1: Digital Information
    - Guide: Digital Information
    - Primary: Digital Information Video
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (2)
      - Supplemental: Digital Information_Socratic_Website
      - Supplemental: Digital Information: Intel Companion Web Site
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Digital Information_Worksheet
        Answer Key: Digital Information_Worksheet
  - Lesson 2: "Move until Touch"
    - Guide: Move until Touch
    - Primary: Move until Touch
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (2)
      - Alternative: Move until Touch Video
      - Supplemental: "Move Until Touch" Certificates
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Move until Touch_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (3)
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Alternative: Guided "Move Until Touch" Task Sheet
  - Lesson 3: "Move until Near"
    - Guide: Move until Near
    - Primary: Move until Near
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Supplemental: "Move Until Near" Certificate
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Move until Near_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (4)
    - Additional Assessments (2)
      - Alternative: "Move Until Near" Lesson Quiz
        Answer Key: Move Until Near Lesson Quiz
      - Alternative: Guided "Move Until Near" Task Sheet
  - Lesson 4: "Repeating Behaviors"
    - Guide: Repeating Behaviors
    - Primary: Repeating Behaviors
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (2)
      - Alternative: Loop Block Video
      - Alternative: Lucky Number 8
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Repeating Behaviors_Starters
    - Summative Assessments (3)
    - Additional Assessments (2)
      - Alternative: Can Do Challenge
      - Alternative: Bull in the Ring
  - Lesson 5: Group Challenge: The Robo-Zoo
    - Guide: Group Challenge: The Robo-Zoo
    - Primary: Group Challenge: The Robo-Zoo
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Supplemental: Dr. E's Global RoboZoo
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Engineering Process Log_Hardcopy
      - Engineering Process Log_Electronic
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Supplemental: Robo-Zoo Design Challenge
  - Summative Assessments (2)
    - See,Touch, Repeat_Unit_Level_Quiz
      - Answer Key: See,Touch, Repeat_Unit_Level_Quiz
    - Four Sensor Obstacle Course
      - Rubric: Obstacle Course Score Sheet
- Unit 8: Decisions, Decisions.....
  - Lesson 1: "Obstacle Detection"
    - Guide: Obstacle Detection
    - Primary: Obstacle Detection
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (3)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Obstacle Detection_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (3)
    - Additional Assessments (2)
      - Extended: Food Foraging
      - Extended: Minesweeper
  - Lesson 2: Advanced Flow Charts
    - Guide: Advanced Flow Charts
    - Primary: Advanced Flow Charts
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Advanced Flow Charts_Task Sheet
  - Lesson 3: "Line Following"
    - Guide: Line Following
    - Primary: Line Following
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (2)
      - Extended: Line Following_Fuzzy Logic Line Follower
      - Alternative: Around the Edge
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Line Following_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (5)
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Extended: Extreme Line Following Challenge
  - Lesson 4: Engineering Challenge: SumoBots
    - Guide: SumoBots
    - Primary: Engineering Process II
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (3)
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - SumoBots_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (3)
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Extended: Flexible Floor Cleaner
  - Summative Assessments (1)
    - Decisions, Decisions_Unit_Level
      - Answer Key: Decisions, Decisions_Unit_Level
- Unit 9: Get a Grip
  - Lesson 9: Creating Computer Chips
    - Guide: Creating Computer Chips
    - Primary: Creating Computer Chips
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Extended: Tour Inside Making of a Microprocessor
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Creating Computer Chips _Worksheet
        Answer Key: Creating Computer Chips _Worksheet
  - Lesson 2: "Arm Control"
    - Guide: Arm Control
    - Primary: Arm Control
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Extended: Fruit Picker Extended Challenge
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Arm Control_Task Sheet
      - Fruit Picker Challenge
  - Lesson 3: My Blocks
    - Guide: My Blocks
    - Primary: My Blocks Video
    - Summative Assessments (4)
  - Lesson 4: Engineering Challenge: Ball Sorter
    - Guide: Ball Sorter
    - Primary: Ball Sorter
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Engineering Process Log_Hardcopy
      - Engineering Process Log_Electronic
- Unit 10: Wired for Data
  - Lesson 1: "Data Hubs"
    - Guide: Data Hubs
    - Primary: Data Hubs
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Alternative: Data Hubs Video
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Data Hubs_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Data Hubs_Task Sheet
      - Throttle Challenge
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Alternative: Guided "Data Hubs" Task Sheet
  - Lesson 2: "Data Types and Display"
    - Guide: Data Types and Display
    - Primary: Data Types and Display
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (2)
      - Extended: Trouble Shooting with Data Video
      - Alternative: Data Hubs, Wires and Types Document
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Data Types and Display_Task Sheet
      - School Zone Challenge
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Alternative: Guided "Data Types and Displays" Task Sheet
  - Lesson 3: Advanced My Blocks
    - Guide: Advanced My Blocks
    - Primary: My Blocks Advanced
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Sentry 2 Challenge
  - Lesson 4: Engineering Challenge: Line Racer
    - Guide: Line Racer
    - Primary: Engineering Process II
    - Summative Assessments (3)
- Unit 11: Variables and Logic
  - Lesson 1: "Variables"
    - Guide: Variables
    - Primary: Variables
    - Differentiated Instr. Material (1)
      - Alternative: Variables Video
    - Formative Assessments (1)
      - Variables_Starter
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Variables_Task Sheet
      - Line Locator Challenge
    - Additional Assessments (1)
      - Alternative: Guided "Variables" Task Sheet
  - Lesson 2: "Calculations"
    - Guide: Calculations
    - Primary: Calculations
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Calculations_Task Sheet
      - Line Locator 2 Challenge
    - Additional Assessments (2)
      - Alternative: Guided "Calculations" Task Sheet
      - Extended: Etch-A-Sketch
        Answer Key: Etch-A-Sketch
  - Lesson 3: "Logic Loops"
    - Guide: Logic Loops
    - Primary: Logic Loops
    - Summative Assessments (3)
  - Lesson 4: Introduction to Bluetooth
    - Guide: Introduction to Bluetooth
    - Primary: Introduction to Bluetooth
    - Summative Assessments (1)
      - Introduction to Bluetooth
  - Lesson 5: Group Challenge: Follow the Leader
    - Guide: Follow the Leader
    - Primary: Follow the Leader
    - Summative Assessments (2)
      - Engineering Process Log_Hardcopy
      - Engineering Process Log_Electronic

Color codes for lessons

Robotics
Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics

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Instructional Material: Finding a Light Sensor Threshold

Submitted by Randy Steele on 7 March, 2012 - 06:00

This tutorial by Dr. Graeme Faulkner(retired Tasmanian Engineer/Teacher) walks students step-by-step through using View mode to calculate a light sensor threshold. Note, at the end of the video, the threshold is used in a switch block, rather than a wait-for-light block, but all the steps are the same for both.

http://www.drgraeme.net/DrGraeme-free-NXT-G-tutorials/LightSensorCalibra...

Material Type:

Tutorial

Education Level:

Middle School

High School

Focus Subject:

Computing / Computer Science

Robotics Hardware

Robotics Software

HW Platform:

NXT

SW Platform:

NXT-G

Interactivity Style:

Active