SILO 6.3 (DRAFT)Year 6, Term 3: RoboticsFocus: Robotics Scope
and sequence: Binary
numbers
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Learning intention: Students use coding and electric sensors to interact with electronic devices. |
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NSW Syllabus
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Australian Curriculum
(version 9.0)
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"A student explains how digital
systems represent data, connect together to form networks and
transmit data." (ST3-11DI-T)
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"Students learn to explain how
electrical energy can be transformed into movement, sound or
light in a product or system." (AC9TDE6K02)
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This unit extends the application of block-based coding through the use of sensors to explore robotics and artificial intelligence. The following video (2:57) explains four components which are common to all robots, namely:
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Can anyone guess what is in the photo below? |
This photo show a possum hanging upside down in regional New South Wales, Australia. The possum is demonstrating its intelligence by learning how to adapt to the recent installation of security lights. The small white object on the left of the possum is a moth which is attracted to the light. The possum hangs upside down to activate the light which then attracts unsuspecting moths which fly towards the silently waiting possum. Similarly, artificial intelligence finds structure and regularities in events to acquire and develop skills.
It is common for people to think of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool to get things done, but it is important to remember that humans can train a machine learning model to follow instructions. The following video (6:23) titled Getting started with micro:bit CreateAI shows some examples of how this can be achieved in the classroom. Step by step instructions are available at https://createai.microbit.org/.
This video (5:48) explains acceleration and accelerometers
using examples from smartphones. An activity towards the end shows how
this technology can be applied to making a digital dice using a
micro:bit.
A micro:bit can be used to measure light as shown in this
video (5:17).
Note: This is an extension of an activity which was first introduced in SILO 4.3 'Sensors'.
By using the following code, the simulator will display the resistance on a scale of 0 to 1023 if you drag your cursor along Pin 0 on the bottom left-hand side.
The following video (8:30) includes extensive technical advice about browsers and firmware so feel free to skip ahead to focus on the pedagogical points about connectivity. In the end you will be able to measure and graph temperature in real time.
The following screenshot shows three ways in which a micro:bit can sense and display temperature.
Here are screenshots of the code from this
video as it moves pretty fast.
This video (5:13) featuring students from Drummond Memorial School shows how electric motors can be used as generators to measure airflow when connected to a micro:bit.