REMINDER: PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS ARE OCT 23 SO PLEASE TRY TO BOOK A TIME WITH ME ASAP.
I began the class today by letting the students know that I would be away tomorrow from all my classes for a SCL (Structured Collaborative Learning) meeting. I told the students that this is 1 out of the 5 days that I will be away for this purpose over the next few months.
I then told the students that I would be showing them a video on Friday related to 3D printers titled “Print the Legend”. This is a new documentary that just came out talking about how 3D printers are the next stage of technological revolution. I then showed the students a YouTube video trailer to give the students a glimpse of what is in the documentary:
After showing the students the trailer, I then showed the students the website of a company that sells 3D printers and is one of the companies mentioned in the documentary. Here is the link to the companies site:
I told the students I wanted them to see this video because it is something that is up and coming with technology and it is something they should know about especially if they plan on having a career in the technology sector.
After the video, I then divided the class back into their groups. The grade 12’s (TEJ4M) are to build a race car of their own design that will be timed in the hall for 30 tiles (the tiles equal to 30ft in length). I gave them 3 resources to help them better understand “Gear Ratios” which will help them design a robot that will be fast. I will post the 3 resources below. Also, students will not be working with their lego robots tomorrow while I am away, so they will be doing an in-class assignment along with the grade 11’s (TEJ3M).
The grade 11’s (TEJ3M) were to continue working with me on the electronics unit. I started off by showing them the resistance assignment from Oct 8. I was unable to give the students enough in class time to work on this assignment last week so I told the students I would give them more time today and tomorrow to work on it. This assignment is due by the end of class tomorrow. I then showed the students a video on YouTube about breadboards. The short video talked about what a breadboard was and how to make a simple circuit using a breadboard. Here is a link to the video:
There is one other YouTube video I had but I did not show the students in class because it was a little longer. Here is a link to this video which I recommend students watch on their own to further their understanding of breadboards:
After the video, I then used a software program called “Java Virtual Breadboard” which I have in the handout folder. Students can download the program for home use from this link:
http://www.cs.york.ac.uk/netpro/bboard/running.html
I showed to students a “Simple Circuit”, a “Series Circuit” and a “Parallel Circuit” on the digital projector using the software. I told the students that for now I just wanted them to see how to use the software, but I would give them an activity to do with it when I return on Thur Oct 16 to class.
Below you will find a copies of the handouts/worksheets that were distributed/assigned in today’s class.
Lego NXT robots using NXC tutorial – Part 1 (this is the coding examples for the “Bricx Command Centre” software – The TEJ4M students only)
Race Car Bot Times (examples) (these are examples of the race bots my students completed in previous years and the times they received for 30 tiles)
BuildingWithLEGOs (there is some good information about various gear types and ratios in this presentation)
http://myweb.cwpost.liu.edu/magot/classes/csc/RobotFundamentals/downloads/gears_drivetrain.htm (this is the second resource for gear ratios)
http://www.slideshare.net/asrctw/gears-26575001 (this is the third resource for gear ratios)
Oct 8 – Resistance Example (I showed the students this example on Oct 8 – TEJ3M students only)
Oct 8 – Resistance Assignment (this is due Wed Oct 15 by the end of class – TEJ3M students only)
Mr. Bawa's Semester 1 Classes at St. Mary's 