Implementing VEX 123 STEM Labs

STEM Labs are designed to be the online teacher’s manual for VEX 123. Like a printed teacher’s manual, the teacher-facing content of the STEM Labs provides all of the resources, materials, and information needed to be able to plan, teach, and assess with VEX 123. The Lab Image Slideshows are the student-facing companion to this material. For more detailed information about how to implement a STEM Lab in your classroom, see the Implementing VEX 123 STEM Labs article.

Goals and Standards

Goals

Students will apply

Collaboratively establishing Robot Rules as best practices for using the 123 Robot in class.

Students will make meaning of

How using the 123 Robot with care will allow it to work properly and last longer.

Students will be skilled at

Speaking the rules and care practices within your group and classroom, and begin to act upon them in activities.

Students will know

How to use and take care of the 123 Robots in practice within the classroom.

Objective(s)

Objective

Students will develop Robot Rules and clear expectations for how to work with the 123 Robot and each other in their classroom.

Activity

Students will collectively develop Robot Rules for their classroom through role play activities in the Engage section, and in a guided discussion in Play Part 1. In Play Part 2, students will engage in a guided exploration of a variety of scenarios in which they test their Robot Rules.

Assessment

Students will collectively develop a written Robot Rules document in Play Part 1. Students will refer to this document in the Mid-Play Break and Play Part 2 sections.

Connections to Standards

Showcase Standards

Computer Science Teaching Association (CSTA)

CSTA 1A-CS-02: Use appropriate terminology in identifying and describing the function of common physical components of computing systems (hardware).

How Standard is Achieved: Students use correct terminology when reviewing the component functions of the 123 Robot in the Engage section. They apply correct terminology as they participate in role play in order to collectively establish Robot Rules and best practices in Engage. In Play Part 1, students are encouraged to use correct terminology in a collaborative discussion designed to establish ground rules for working with the 123 Robot. Students have additional opportunities to use appropriate terminology in problem solving scenarios in the Mid-Play Break and Play Part 2.

Showcase Standards

Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.A.1: Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to.

How Standard is Achieved: During Play Part 2, the students will engage in a “what if” discussion. During this discussion, the teacher will prompt the students by asking questions such as, “what if we programmed the 123 Robot to drive without stopping on a desk?” Students will use spatial reasoning skills to mentally map how the 123 Robot would move, and will need to use directional words as they explain how they think the 123 Robot will behave. They will then use this information to determine if there should be a specific rule to prevent the 123 Robot from being damaged or mishandled.

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