Preview
- Grade(s): 9-12
- Time: 1 week
Description
Students will explore how variables are used to store values in a VEXcode V5 project. They will use variables and operator blocks to move the arm mounted on the V5 Workcell in precise, incremental movements to draw a 2 inch by 2 inch square. Then, they will learn about careers in robotics and automation, including tasks performed and skills needed for these careers.
Essential Question(s)
- What is a variable and how can variables be used to control the behavior of a robot?
Understanding(s)
Students will understand:
- How to use variables to store information in a VEXcode V5 project.
- How far the arm should travel from a start coordinate in each axis to reach an intended location.
- How to manipulate a start coordinate by modifying values to move the arm to an intended location.
Objective(s)
- Identify what a variable is.
- Identify how to create a variable in VEXcode V5.
- Identify how to use operator blocks in a VEXcode V5 project.
- Identify how to launch VEXcode V5.
- Identify how to open an example project.
- Identify how to name and save a VEXcode V5 project.
- Identify how to download and run a VEXcode V5 project.
- Identify how to add blocks to a VEXcode V5 project.
- Identify that the first number of a coordinate indicates how far the arm will travel from the origin in the x-axis.
- Identify that the second number of a coordinate indicates how far the arm will travel from the origin in the y-axis.
Vocabulary
- Variable
- A placeholder for values that may change. These can be used in a VEXcode V5 project to store those values.
Materials Needed
| Quantity | Materials Needed |
|---|---|
| 1 per group |
V5 Workcell |
| 1 per group | |
| 1 per group |
Engineering Notebook |
| 1 per group |
Device to run VEXcode V5 |
| 1 per group |
Micro-USB cable |
| 1 per group |
Dry-Erase Marker |
| 1 per group |
Educational Standard(s)
- Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) HS-ETS1-4: Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 6c: Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.
- Computer Science Teaching Association (CSTA) 1B-AP-09: Create programs that use variables to store and modify data.
Go to this page in the Knowledge Base to see a cumulative list of VEX V5 Workcell STEM Labs standards.
Environment Setup
Before beginning this Lab, gather materials listed below or complete the steps outlined to ensure your classroom environment is set up to implement the Lab successfully.
During this Lab, there will be portions of the Play section where you are encouraged to demonstrate certain movements on the Workcell for your students, before they engage in the activity. Ensure that you have a Workcell available for you, whether you have your own designated Workcell, or you want to demonstrate on a group's Workcell. Ensure you have the following prepared for the demonstration:
- A built Workcell.
- Newly recorded mastering values.
- Students will be required to do this during the Seek section of this Lab. If you have your own designated Workcell, ensure you also follow the steps of this section with your Workcell.
- The 'Variables' project created from the 'Draw Square Sides 1 and 2' page in Play downloaded to the Brain.