Robotics is one of the most interesting and breakthrough school activities. She teaches how to make algorithms, gamifies the learning process, introduces children to programming. In some schools, from the 1st grade, they are engaged in computer science, they learn to assemble robots and draw up flowcharts. So that children can easily understand robotics and programming, and can study mathematics and physics in depth in high school, we have released a new LEGO Education SPIKE Prime learning set. We will tell you the details about it in this post.
LEGO Education SPIKE Prime is designed to teach children in grades 5-7 in schools and robotics clubs. The set allows you to build algorithms using flowcharts and admire how pictures on the screen turn into movements and actions. For modern schoolchildren, visibility and WOW-effect are important, and SPIKE Prime is a lure that can captivate children with programming and exact sciences.
Set overview
The set comes in a minimalistic yellow and white plastic box. Under the lid is a cardboard box with instructions for getting started and a diagram of the placement of parts in the trays. The set is designed so that it is easy to start working with it and the teacher needs a minimum of additional training.
The parts themselves are packaged in bags with numbers that correspond to the cell numbers in the trays.
The Core Set includes over 500 LEGO elements, including new ones.
- Several new frames that reduce prototyping time and allow you to create large models.
- New 2x4 cube with Technic axle hole. It allows you to combine elements of Technic and LEGO System in one project.
- Updated base plate from the Technic range.
- New narrow wheels that provide precise control and increase the maneuverability of the models.
- New swivel wheel in the form of a support roller.
- New wire clips, available in multiple colors, allow you to neatly secure cables.
In addition to the parts themselves, there are three motors inside - a large one and two medium ones, as well as three sensors: distances, colors and forces.
The motors are connected directly to the hub and have rotation sensors with an accuracy of 1 degree. This feature is provided to synchronize the operation of the motors so that they can move simultaneously at a constant speed. In addition, the sensor can also be used to measure the speed and distance of the model.
The color sensor distinguishes up to 8 colors and can be used as a light sensor. It also has an built-in infrared sensor that can read, for example, the reflection of light.
The touch sensor recognizes the following situations: button pressed, released, strong pressure. In this case, the sensor determines the pressure force in newtons or in percent.
The IR sensor is used to determine the distance from the robot to a certain point or to avoid collisions. Able to measure distance in percent, centimeters and inches.
You can expand the capabilities of the basic set using the resource set, which consists of 603 parts. It includes: an additional large set and a light sensor, two large wheels, large bevel gears that allow you to build large turntables.
Hub
The hub has a built-in gyroscope that can determine its position in space: orientation, tilt, roll, edge detection from above, hub fall state, etc. The built-in memory allows you to download and store up to 20 programs. The program number is displayed on a 5x5 pixel screen, which also displays user images and the status of the hub.
Also on the hub are:
- MicroUSB connector for battery charging or PC connection.
- Bluetooth sync button that allows you to wirelessly connect to a PC for hub programming.
- 6 ports (AF) for executing commands or receiving information from sensors.
- Three hub control buttons.
- Built-in speaker.
Software
The LEGO Education SPIKE software is available for Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS and Chromebook and can be downloaded . The software environment is based on the children's programming language Scratch. It consists of a set of commands, each of which is a graphic box of a certain shape and color with parameters that can be changed manually, such as speed and distance of movement, rotation angle, etc.
At the same time, the sets of commands associated with various components of the solution (motors, sensors, variables, operators, etc.) are highlighted in different colors, which allows you to quickly understand intuitively how to program what you need.
Even in the application itself, a lot of lesson plans are collected, as well as about 30 different instructions for assembling models.
First steps
After launching the application and choosing a language, three starting steps are immediately offered:
1) Program the hub so that a smiley is displayed on the screen;
2) Get acquainted with the operation of motors and sensors;
3) Assemble the Bloch model and program it for movement.
Acquaintance with SPIKE Prime begins with a description of the connectivity options (via microUSB or Bluetooth) and work with the pixel screen.
First you need to set a sequence of commands that should be executed after the program starts, and also select specific pixels that will light up on the hub screen.
The second step involves assembling and programming the response of motors to various signals from sensors. For example, you can program the motor to start rotating when you bring your hand or any object near the distance sensor.
To do this, we create a sequence of commands: if the object is closer than n centimeters to the sensor, then the motor starts to work.
The third and most interesting step is to assemble a flea robot and program it to jump on command. To do this, you first need to assemble the robot itself from parts and two motors.
Then we start programming. To do this, we set the following algorithm: when the program is turned on, the βfleaβ must jump forward twice, so two motors must make two full rotations at the same time. Set the rotation speed to 50% so that the robot does not jump too much.
At the output, we got a small robot that jumps forward when the program starts. Beauty!
The flea robot quickly rushed forward, found the first victim, but something went wrong.
After that, the training is over, you can proceed to more complex projects: in the application, there are more than 60 block diagrams for various parts of the set (motors, hub, sensors, etc.). At the same time, each block diagram can be slightly changed using the parameters . Also inside the software there is the possibility of creating variables and your own block diagrams.
For teachers
Attached to the set for teachers. They include curricula, tasks with ready-made solutions, and tasks where there is no answer and you need to be creative in solving. This allows you to quickly get started with the set and build training programs.
There are 4 courses in total on the site. The Inventor Squad is a course for technology lessons that reinforces students' understanding of the process of conducting project activities. Two courses are related to computer science. βLaunching a Businessβ provides basic programming and algorithmic skills, and βUseful Devicesβ introduces the principles of the Internet of Things. The fourth course - "Ready for competitions" - is designed to prepare for competitions and requires both a basic and a resource set.
Each course contains from 5 to 8 lessons, which includes a ready-made methodological solution that can be implemented in the educational process to consolidate STEAM competencies.
Compare with other sets
LEGO Education SPIKE Prime is part of the LEGO Education robotics line, which includes sets for children of different ages:
- Express "Young programmer" for preschool education.
- WeDo 2.0 for elementary school.
- LEGO Education SPIKE Prime for High School.
- LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 for high school and first year students.
SPIKE Prime features overlap with LEGO WeDo 2.0, which has Scratch support starting this year. But unlike WeD0 2.0, which allows you to simulate physical experiments, SPIKE Prime is more suitable for creating robots. It is designed to start learning robotics in grades 5-7.
With the help of this solution, schoolchildren in a playful way will be able to master the principles of algorithmization, develop problem-solving skills, and get acquainted with the basics of robotics. After SPIKE Prime, you can move on to LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3, which has the ability to work with MycroPython and is suitable for learning more complex concepts of robotics and programming.
PS When writing this article, not a single robot and not a single husky was harmed.
Source: habr.com