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Lego Spike Essential - 8 lesson program

 

Lesson 1: Introduction to Robotics and Spike Essential

Outcomes:

NSW: ST2-2DP-T, ST2-3DP-T, ST2-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP010, ACTDIP011

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​Objective: Students will be introduced to basic robotics concepts and explore how to build a simple robot using the Spike Essential kit.

  1. Introduction (10 minutes)

  • Discuss what robots are and their real-life applications.

  • Show examples of simple robots.

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  2. Main Activity (25 minutes)

  • Guide students through the process of assembling a simple robot using the Spike Essential kits.

  • Use step-by-step instructions from the kit manual.

  • Have students test their robots and observe how they move.

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  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Discuss forces involved in moving the robot and encourage predictions on how adjustments might affect performance.

 

Lesson 2: Programming Basics with Spike Essential

Outcomes:

NSW: ST2-2DP-T, ST2-3DP-T, ST2-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP010, ACTDIP011

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Objective: Students will learn the basics of programming by using Spike Essential’s drag-and-drop interface to program their robots to move in specific ways.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Introduce programming concepts like sequences, loops, and events.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Using Spike Essential’s drag-and-drop coding interface, guide students to program their robot to move forward, backward, and turn.

  • Allow students to test their code.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Ask them to adjust parameters and observe changes in robot behaviour.

 

Lesson 3: Robotics and Sensors

Outcomes:

NSW: ST2-2DP-T, ST2-3DP-T, ST2-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP010, ACTDIP011

​

Objective: Students will explore the use of sensors in robots and how they can interact with the environment.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Explain the role of sensors in robotics and how robots use them to detect changes in their surroundings.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Guide students in adding sensors (e.g., distance sensor) to their Spike Essential robot and program it to respond to different stimuli.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Have students observe their robot responding to changes and discuss how sensors enhance robot capabilities.

 

Lesson 4: Engineering a Task-Specific Robot

Outcomes:

NSW: ST2-2DP-T, ST2-3DP-T, ST2-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP010, ACTDIP011

​

Objective: Students will design a robot to complete a specific task, encouraging problem-solving and engineering skills.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Present a problem-solving scenario where students need to build a robot to complete a task (e.g., retrieve an object).

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students work in pairs to design and build their robot using the Spike Essential kits.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Have students test their robots and evaluate the effectiveness of their designs.

 

Lesson 5: Collaborative Problem-Solving with Robots

Outcomes:

NSW: ST2-2DP-T, ST2-4WS-S

Aus: ACTDEP017, ACSHE061

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Objective: Students will work collaboratively to solve a challenge using their robots, fostering teamwork and communication skills.

 1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Present a collaborative robotics challenge (e.g., create a maze for the robot to navigate).

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students work in groups to build and program robots to navigate the maze.

  • Encourage teamwork and role distribution.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Have each group share their process and how they solved problems along the way.

 

Lesson 6: Improving Robot Efficiency

Outcomes:

NSW: ST2-2DP-T, ST2-3DP-T, ST2-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP010, ACTDIP011

​

Objective: Students will learn how to make their robots more efficient by refining their designs and programming.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Discuss how engineers and scientists refine their designs to increase efficiency.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students analyse their robot’s design and programming, finding ways to improve speed, movement, or task completion.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Test improved designs and discuss how efficiency was increased.

 

Lesson 7: Introducing Variables in Programming

Outcomes:

NSW: ST2-2DP-T, ST2-3DP-T, ST2-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP010, ACTDIP011

​

Objective: Students will explore the use of variables in programming to create more dynamic and flexible robot behaviours.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Introduce the concept of variables and how they can change robot behaviours.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Guide students through a simple program that uses variables to control movement (e.g., speed or distance).

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Allow students to test and refine their programs, focusing on the impact of variable changes.

 

Lesson 8: End-of-Program Assessment and Showcase

Outcomes:

NSW: ST2-2DP-T, ST2-3DP-T, ST2-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP010, ACTDIP011

​

Objective: Students will apply all their skills from the program to design, build, and program a robot that completes a final task, demonstrating their understanding.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)​

  • Present the final challenge (e.g., a rescue robot that can pick up and move objects).

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students work individually or in pairs to complete the final task using all the skills they’ve learned.

  • Students demonstrate their robots and explain how they solved the challenge.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​​

  • Provide feedback and assess their understanding.

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