Robotics Enrichment Program

Middle School “Robot + Game = ?” Majors Schedule

What happens when robots and games collide? In Robot + Game = ?, you’ll step into the role of a robotics engineer and game developer, using a game engine to bring intelligent machines to life in virtual worlds. Design and simulate autonomous robots - like drones that navigate through dynamic environments, avoiding obstacles in real time. Through hands-on projects, you’ll integrate LiDAR-based sensing and learning algorithms to develop robotic behavior.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Ability to use a game engine-based simulation to create and test robotic systems.
  • Problem-solving and teamwork through iterative development and testing.

Session 5

Goal: Create animated web experiences using block-based coding with Delightex.

Getting Started with Delightex

  1. Access Delightex

    • Go to delightex.com/edu
    • Click on “Try it live” button
    • No account needed - start coding immediately!

  2. Explore the Interface

    • Left side: Click on the list icon and explore various elements (click on three dots -> Code -> Check Use in CoBlocks)
    • Center: Canvas where your game appears
    • Right side: Click on Code on top right -> CoBlocks
    • Bottom: Add elements from the library

  3. Create Animations

    • Drag a code block from the command palette to the canvas
    • Try various code blocks
    • Click Run to see your animation!

Session 4

Goal: Experiment with underwater robots using manual control and understand robot movements in aquatic environments.

Underwater Robot Exploration

  1. Introduction to Underwater Robotics

    • Learn about ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles)
    • Understand how underwater robots differ from land robots
    • Discuss buoyancy, water resistance, and thruster systems

  2. Manual Control Practice

    • Connect to the underwater robot system
    • Practice basic movements: forward, backward, up, down, rotate
    • Experiment with thruster control and navigation

  3. Movement Challenges

    • Navigate through underwater obstacles
    • Practice maintaining depth and orientation
    • Test different movement patterns and speeds
    • Figure out optimal control strategies

  4. Observations and Discussion

    • Compare underwater robot control to land robots
    • Discuss challenges faced during manual control
    • Share strategies that worked well

Session 3

Goal: Program and control physical GoPiGo robots to perform autonomous movements.

Getting Started with GoPiGo

  1. Connect to Your Robot

    • Turn on the GoPiGo robot
    • On your computer, connect to the robot’s WiFi network
    • Open a web browser and navigate to 10.10.10.10
    • You should see the Bloxter programming interface

  2. Explore the Bloxter Interface

    • Familiarize yourself with the block categories
    • Look at Movement, Sensors, and Control blocks
    • Try the example programs provided

  3. Basic Movement Programming

    • Make your robot drive forward for 2 seconds
    • Add a turn (left or right)
    • Create a simple path (square or triangle)
    • Test and debug your code

  4. Add Sensor Input

    • Use the distance sensor to detect obstacles
    • Program the robot to stop when it senses a wall
    • Make it turn and continue exploring

  5. Challenge: Maze Navigation

    • Set up a simple maze with obstacles
    • Program your robot to navigate through it
    • Use sensors to avoid collisions
    • Test and improve your solution

Tips:

  • Save your programs frequently
  • Start simple and add complexity gradually
  • If something doesn’t work, check your block connections
  • Test small sections of code before combining them

Session 2

Goal: Create a simple robot game where a robot character navigates a world, senses obstacles, collects goals, and has sound + music.

1. Create Your Robot Character

  1. Go to MakeCode Arcade.
  2. Click New Project, name it.
  3. From the Sprites category, drag out set mySprite to sprite of kind Player.
  4. Click on the sprite image to draw your own robot character.
  5. Run the game to see your robot appear.

2. Build a Scene

  1. From Scene, drag out a set tilemap to block.
  2. Create a map with walls (e.g., maze or obstacle area).
  3. Add a starting area and some open space for the robot to move.

3. Add Autonomous Movement

  1. From Sprites, drag set mySprite vx to and set mySprite vy to.
  2. Give your robot an automatic velocity (e.g., vx = 50, vy = 0).
  3. Run the game — your robot should move on its own.

4. Simulate Sensing (Bumpers)

  1. From Sprites, use on sprite of kind Player hits wall.
  2. Inside, change the velocity so the robot turns (e.g., vx = 0, vy = 50).
  3. Test it — your robot should bounce or turn when it “senses” a wall.

5. Add a Goal

  1. Create another sprite (goal, treasure, or object).
  2. Place it on a random tile: use Scene → place sprite on top of random tile.
  3. Add an overlap event: on sprite of kind Player overlaps Goal.
  4. Inside, increase score by 1 and move the goal to a new random spot.

6. Add Music and Sound

  1. From Music, add play melody at the start of the game for background music.
  2. Add a play sound effect inside the overlap event (when robot gets a goal).
  3. Test - you should hear music and effects.

7. Make It a Game

  1. From Info, add a timer (e.g., 30 seconds).
  2. Challenge: How many goals can your robot collect before time runs out?
  3. Optional: Add hazards (enemies) that reduce score when touched.

Session 1

  • Introduction to Robotics
  • Virtual Robot Movements
    1. File -> Open Examples, select Drivetrain Moves and Turns
    2. Study the code blocks, run the example
    3. SELECT PLAYGROUND -> Wall Maze
    4. Modify the code to make it to the finish
    5. Save (Ctrl + S) your program
  • Object Sensing
    1. Open a new project
    2. File -> Open Examples -> Coral Reef Cleanup 3
    3. Test the example code
    4. Improve it
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