Introduction

Watch the introduction video below for an overview of what you will learn and do in this Unit.

Documenting in this Unit

In this Unit, you will be building VEXcode projects to code the 6-Axis Arm to draw with the Pen. You will be prompted to document your many things in your engineering notebook to help you with your projects. There are some different strategies that can be helpful for documenting more complex concepts and activities including: 

• Using words and/or drawings to note the goal of the project.
• Recording a prediction about what a project will cause the 6-Axis Arm to do.
• Taking notes about blocks or coding concepts you learned to help you in this and future activities.
• Writing down calculations you will use in your project.
• Taking screenshots of your project and adding it to your notebook.

Watch the video below to learn about strategies for documenting code in your engineering notebook.

Co-Create Learning Targets 

Now that you have watched the video, you know that you will code the 6-Axis Arm to move in a controlled path using waypoints to get around obstacles and navigate a maze. First, you will be introduced to the Pen Holder Tool so that you can code the 6-Axis Arm to draw a line with the Pen. Then you will learn how to find a waypoint in order to get from one location to another around an obstacle, so that you can code the 6-Axis Arm to move in a controlled path. You will build on this skill to code the 6-Axis Arm to travel a path around multiple obstacles. You will pull all of this together to draw a path through a maze at the end of this Unit.

You will co-create learning targets with your group and your teacher to capture these goals, so that you have a shared understanding of your learning goals for the Unit. You will write your learning targets in your engineering notebook so you can refer to them throughout the Unit. 

It is helpful to phrase learning targets in the form of "I can" statements. Example learning targets for this Unit could include: 

• I can identify a waypoint between two locations.
• I can code the 6-Axis Arm to move on a controlled path around an obstacle.

To create your learning targets, first brainstorm what you will need to know to be able to complete the activities shown in the video above. Make a list in your engineering notebook of what you will need to know, learn, and do, like this: 

• Attach the Pen to the 6-Axis Arm.
• Code the 6-Axis Arm to draw with the Pen.
• Identify a waypoint to move around an obstacle.
• Work with my group to solve the maze collaboratively. 

Next, co-create learning targets based on your list. Think about how each of the things you listed can be framed into a learning target, using "I can" statements. You can use this template to help you write your learning targets in your engineering notebook. (Google Doc / .docx / .pdf)

The following table shows an example of how the Learning Target Organizer in your engineering notebook could be filled out.

Vocabulary

In this Unit, you will learn how to code the 6-Axis Arm to travel on a controlled path around obstacles. This vocabulary list is here to provide reference for any new terms you may come across. Record this vocabulary in your engineering notebook. Use this list as reference as you work through the Unit and encounter words you may not be familiar with.

Path Controlled Movement

Coding the 6-Axis Arm to move in a specific path to get from one location to another.

Pen Holder Tool

The end effector that holds the whiteboard marker on the 6-Axis Robotic Arm.

Whiteboard Attachment

The Whiteboard that connects to the CTE Tile that the Pen can draw on.

Waypoint

An intermediate point between two locations on a line of travel.

Select Next > to learn about using the Pen on the 6-Axis Arm.