Junior Bots

This is a high level overview of our level one Junior Bot camp where students learn the basics of LEGO robotics.

Day 1: Introduction to Motors, Blocks, and Basic Programming

Objective: Introduce participants to the basics of building and programming a robot using LEGO Technic parts and the EV3 system.

• Morning: Introduction to Parts & Assembly

  • Parts Overview: Beams, axles, pegs, and bricks.

  • EV3 Brick and Programming Setup: Introduction to the EV3 Brick (programmable brain and power station for the robot).

  • Building a Simple Starter Bot: Guide the campers through assembly using LEGO Technic parts (small motor, large motor).

• Afternoon: Programming Fundamentals

  • EV3 Software: Drag and drop blocks to create programs.

  • Flow and Action Blocks: Learn basic movement and speed control (forward, backward, turning).

  • Motor and Wait Blocks: Introduction to controlling motor movement and timing.

  • Driving Forward Activity: Program the robot to drive forward from the start line to the finish line.

  • Stretch Goal: Add functionality to turn around at the finish line and come back.

• Evening Activity: Maze Challenge: Program the robot to navigate a maze by controlling movement with the EV3 software.

---

Day 2: Introduction to Sensors (Color & Touch)

Objective: Learn to use sensors to enhance robot behavior (color sensor and touch sensor).

• Morning: Color Sensor

  • Understanding the Color Sensor: Measure light values (reflected and ambient light).

  • Simple Color Sensor Bot: Build a robot that uses the color sensor to react to different colors or light.

  • Programming Challenge: Program the robot to follow a colored line or detect ambient light.

• Afternoon: Touch Sensor

  • Touch Sensor Basics: React to being bumped, pressed, or released.

  • Simple Touch Sensor Bot: Program a basic bot to react to touch.

  • Roomba Challenge: Program a robot to navigate a maze using the touch sensor.

• Evening Activity: Line Follower Challenge: Program the robot to follow a black line using the color sensor.

---

Day 3: Ultrasonic Sensors and Gears

Objective: Learn how to use ultrasonic sensors and gears to add precision and functionality to the robot.

• Morning: Ultrasonic Sensor

  • Understanding Ultrasonic Sensors: Learn how the ultrasonic sensor detects distance by bouncing sound waves off objects.

  • Conga Line Challenge: Use ultrasonic sensors to create a conga line with multiple robots, avoiding collisions.

  • Parallel Parking Challenge: Program a robot to park in a tight space using the ultrasonic sensor.

• Afternoon: Gears and Gear Mechanisms

  • How Gears Work: Learn how gears affect the speed and direction of rotation.

  • Robot Racing Challenge: Use gears to create a robot that moves faster.

  • Catch & Release Challenge: Use a medium motor and gears to catch and release a cuboid.

• Evening Activity: Robot Racing: Set up a racing competition, with robots using gears to adjust speed.

---

Day 4: Putting Everything to the Test

Objective: Apply the skills learned over the camp in a competitive setting.

• Morning: Sumo Challenge Preparation

  • Rules: Push your opponent out of the ring, disable your opponent, stay within the ring, and use only two drive motors, two sensors, and no more than four wheels.

  • Design & Build: Create your Sumo bot with offensive attachments (flipper/claw).

• Afternoon: Sumo Challenge

  • Competition: Teams compete in a sumo-style battle where the goal is to push the opposing robot out of the ring or disable it.

• Evening Activity: Closing Ceremony & Awards

  • Reflection on skills learned.

  • Prizes or certificates for achievements (Best Robot Design, Best Program, Best Teamwork, etc.).

---

Materials Needed:

• LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Kits (with motors, sensors, beams, axles, and bricks).

• Computers with EV3 software installed.

• Color and touch sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and gears.

• Tables for building and workspace.