Pacing Guide

This unit should be implemented to supplement student learning on the concepts of the basic features and functions of robots.

STEM Labs can be adapted in various ways to fit into any classroom or learning environment. Each STEM Lab includes the following 3 sections: Engage, Play, and Share (optional).

Each STEM Lab in this unit can be completed in as little as 40 minutes

Section Summary

The Engage and Play sections, which contain the primary learning activities, can be completed within 40 minutes. The Share section, which enables students to express their learning is optional, but estimated at around 3-5 minutes per group.

Click on the tabs below to view descriptions of the Engage, Play and Share sections of the STEM Lab.

Engage (20 minutes)

The Engage section is the introductory section designed to capture the student’s attention. This section is intended to be a whole-class activity. It includes a hook, a leading question that personalizes the learning for students, and the build that will be utilized to create a hands-on, exploratory learning experience that places STEM into the hands of young learners.

Play (20 minutes)

The Play section is split into 3 parts in order to structure learning while maintaining student interest: Part 1, Mid-Play Break, and Part 2. In Play Part 1, students will run an investigation, test, and/or make predictions about scientific phenomena using their build as it relates to the key concepts of the unit. The Mid-Play Break includes a discussion of Part 1 and transition to Part 2. In Play Part 2, students will continue to explore their builds and deepen their understanding of key concepts by applying their knowledge in new ways.

The Pacing Guide

The pacing guide for each Lab provides step-by-step instructions on What, How, and When to teach. The STEM Lab Pacing Guide previews the concepts that are taught in each section (Engage, Play, and Share (optional)), explains how the section is delivered, and identifies all the materials that are needed.

The pacing guide contains the following information:

Lab

Provides the approximate time duration of each section of the Lab.

Description

Provides an overview of what students will do in each Lab.

Materials

Lists the materials that are essential to completing the Lab.

Lab 1 - Hello, 123!

Total Time: 40 minutes

Engage	Play	Share
20 mins	20 mins	Optional 3-5 mins per group

Engage

Students will participate in the unboxing of the 123 Robot and share their initial reactions and questions about the robot with their classmates.

Play

Students will become familiar with the basic features of the 123 Robot as they collaborate and participate in an interactive story that the teacher will share with the class. They will recognize that the 123 Robot is a mechanical device that carries out an action when programmed by a human.

Share

Students will share their thoughts, anticipation, and possible activity ideas regarding the 123 Robot.

Materials Needed

123 Robot
VEX 123 Poster
Meet Your Robot PDF story
Teacher Guide for Meet Your Robot Story Slideshow
Lab 1 Image Slideshow
Paper and markers

Lab 2 - Robot Rules

Total Time: 40 minutes

Engage	Play	Share
20 mins	20 mins	Optional 3-5 mins per group

Engage

Students will immerse themselves in discussion and role-play to determine that successfully working with the 123 Robot in a classroom will require having guidelines.

Play

Students will engage in a collaborative discussion facilitated by the teacher, in order to create “ground rules,” expectations, and decision-making strategies for the classroom. They will explore several “What if…” scenarios to test the success of their guidelines.

Share

Students will form groups and establish a name for each 123 Robot. Groups will come together and share their robot’s name with the class as well as their goals for using the robot in class.

Materials Needed

123 Robot
Lab 2 Image Slideshow
Robot Rules Chart
Meet Your Robot PDF story
Teacher Guide for Meet Your Robot story
Writing Utensils

Adapting this Unit to Your Classroom

Not every classroom is the same, and teachers face a variety of implementation challenges throughout the year. While each VEX 123 STEM Lab follows a predictable format, there are things that you can do in this Unit to help make it easier to meet those challenges when they arise.

Implementing in less time:
- To combine Play Parts 1 and 2 into a single activity, read the Meet Your Robot story in Lab 1 and document the 123 Robot features on the class Features Chart while reading.
- In Lab 1, replace the creation of a Wonder Board from the Share section by keeping notes of your students’ questions and wonderings while teaching the Engage and Play sections of the Lab.
- In Lab 2, combine Play Parts 1 and 2 into a single activity by asking students “What if…” scenarios as prompts to help create your robot rules. Use the scenarios in the Mid-Play Break for reference.
Activities to support reteaching:
- To help students gain familiarity with the 123 Robot, give students access to the Meet Your Robot story, and let them practice the steps to code the 123 Robot: push to wake, touch to code, and shake to erase.
- For students who need more practice remembering their robot rules, have them draw or write out their own version of the class robot rules from Lab 2 on a sheet of paper. What pictures or descriptions will help them remember each rule?
Extending this Unit:
- Use the ‘Try’ activities in the Teacher Guide for Meet Your Robot Story to help students learn the features of the 123 Robot. These can be done as whole class activities or by students in smaller groups.
- Use activities from the Choice Board to let students further their understanding of robotics and apply what they have learned about the 123 Robot and the class robot rules. Students can express their voice and choice and choose an activity on their own, or you can assign activities for the whole class or individual students to complete.

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