Before You Begin
Essential Question: Why is precision important when controlling robots, and how do we achieve it?
Unit Understandings:
- How to build, download, and run a VEXcode AIM project.
- Blocks in VEXcode AIM control the behaviors of the robot precisely.
- The sequence of blocks in a project determines the order of robot behaviors.
- Debugging is identifying and fixing errors so the robot runs as intended.
Standards Alignment
Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA)
- 1B-CS-02: Model how computer hardware and software work together as a system to accomplish tasks.
- 1B-DA-07: Use data to highlight or propose cause-and-effect relationships, predict outcomes, or communicate an idea.
- 1B-AP-08: Compare and refine multiple algorithms for the same task and determine which is the most appropriate.
- 1B-AP-10: Create programs that include sequences, events, loops and conditionals.
- 1B-AP-11: Decompose (break down) problems into smaller, manageable subproblems to facilitate the program development process.
- 1B-AP-15: Test and debug (identify and fix errors) a program or algorithm to ensure it runs as intended.
- 2-AP-15: Seek and incorporate feedback from team members and users to refine a solution that meets user needs.
- 2-AP-19: Document programs in order to make them easier to follow, test and debug.
- 3A-AP-22: Design and develop computational artifacts working in team roles using collaborative tools.
Materials Needed (per group):
- VEX AIM Coding Robot
- One Stick Controller
- 2 orange barrels
- 2 blue barrels
- AIM Field (4 tiles and 8 walls)
- VEXcode AIM
- A computer
- Journal (per student)
Setting Up VEXcode AIM with Students
- In this Unit, students will begin coding with VEXcode AIM.
- Students should access the web-based version of VEXcode AIM at codeaim.vex.com in a Chrome Browser.
- If students cannot access the web-based version, you can install the VEXcode AIM app onto students' devices prior to beginning the unit. View this VEX Library article for installing on a Windows device; or this article for installing on a macOS device.
- Students should access the web-based version of VEXcode AIM at codeaim.vex.com in a Chrome Browser.
- Students will also connect their robots to VEXcode AIM.
- Students should connect their robots to VEXcode AIM using a wireless (Bluetooth) connection for best results. View this VEX Library article for more information.
- If wireless (Bluetooth) connectivity is unavailable, students may also use a USB cable. View this VEX Library for more information.
- Make sure students know the name of their robot before wirelessly connecting. View this VEX Library article to learn more about naming a robot.
- Students should connect their robots to VEXcode AIM using a wireless (Bluetooth) connection for best results. View this VEX Library article for more information.
Suggested Time for this Unit: 7-9 Sessions
While pacing will vary classroom to classroom, suggested timing can help you plan effectively. A ‘session’ is considered approximately 45-50 minutes. You know your students best, so adjust timing as needed to best meet the needs of your students in your setting.
- Introduction: 1 session
- Lesson 1: 1 session
- Lesson 2: 1 session
- Lesson 3: 1-2 sessions
- Exploring an Example Project: 1 session
- Unit Challenge: 2-3 sessions
In this unit, you will open up a world of possibilities for coding your robot as you are introduced to VEXcode AIM. You'll learn to build and debug VEXcode blocks projects, enabling your robot to move precisely in different directions. By the end of the unit, you will be able to code your robot to move in four directions to navigate around obstacles.
Watch the video below to learn about the challenge. In this unit challenge, you will code your robot to complete a barrel race! You'll need to move the robot around all four sides of each barrel on the field, and return to the starting location as quickly as possible.
After you have watched the video, you will have a class discussion about it. Record your answers to the following questions in your journal, so you are ready to share during the discussion:
- What are some ideas you have about how to code the robot to move with VEXcode AIM?
- What are some questions you have about coding with VEXcode?
- What skills and understandings will you need to develop to complete the challenge?
After you have watched the video, you will have a class discussion about it. Record your answers to the following questions in your journal, so you are ready to share during the discussion:
- What are some ideas you have about how to code the robot to move with VEXcode AIM?
- What are some questions you have about coding with VEXcode?
- What skills and understandings will you need to develop to complete the challenge?
After students have watched the video, facilitate a whole-class discussion to elicit students' observations and prepare them for co-creating learning targets for the unit.
- Ask students to share their observations and ideas based on the video, encouraging them to back them up with reasoning.
- As students share their questions and ideas, help students frame their wonderings as productive scientific questions, ensuring each of the Unit Understandings for this unit are included.
- Guide students to consider the skills and understandings they might need to complete the challenge, as they will use these as they co-create learning targets.
Next, help students to make a real-world connection to the content in this unit and to engage prior knowledge using the following prompt:
- What are some examples of industries that might use robots for precise navigation?
- In a technology hub, they might recognize autonomous warehouse robots.
- In communities with hospitals, they might be aware of robotic surgical assistants.
- In a farming region, they might relate to GPS-guided tractors, or crop monitoring drones.
Co-Creating Learning Targets
Now that you have watched the video, you know that you will be coding the robot to drive around barrels using VEXcode AIM. Think about what you will need to know and learn to do this. You will co-create learning targets with your group and your teacher so that you have a shared understanding of your learning goals for this unit.
Record your learning targets in your journal. You will return to these learning targets later in the unit to reflect on your progress and plan for future learning.
Now that you have watched the video, you know that you will be coding the robot to drive around barrels using VEXcode AIM. Think about what you will need to know and learn to do this. You will co-create learning targets with your group and your teacher so that you have a shared understanding of your learning goals for this unit.
Record your learning targets in your journal. You will return to these learning targets later in the unit to reflect on your progress and plan for future learning.
Guide students as a whole class through the process of co-creating learning targets.
- Brainstorm with students what they will need to know to complete the activities shown in the video above. Frame these as “I can” statements.
- Example “I can” statements for this unit include:
- I can use VEXcode AIM to code my robot to move in multiple directions.
- I can debug my project to make sure the robot behaves as I intend it to.
- Example “I can” statements for this unit include:
- Co-create learning targets based on that list.
For more guidance on co-creating learning targets with your students, see this VEX Library Article.
Select Next > to get started coding your robot.