ICT

EXPLORING THE WORLD OF YEAR 9 ROBOTICS WITH VEX IQ ROBOTS

In the Year 9 Robotics course at McKinnon Secondary College, students embark on a thrilling journey into the world of robotics through programming VEX IQ robots. In this newsletter article, we will provide you with insights into the course, its objectives, and the incredible progress our students have made. 

INTRODUCTION TO VEX IQ ROBOTICS

At the heart of this course is the VEX Robotics platform, a versatile and powerful tool designed to introduce students to the principles of robotics, engineering, and programming. VEX robots provide an excellent hands-on experience that helps students develop essential skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Our Year 9 Robotics course has several core objectives:

Programming Proficiency

Students learn to program VEX IQ robots using industry-standard programming languages like VEXcode and Python. They start with basic commands and gradually progress to more complex algorithms.

Engineering Design

Through a series of projects, students gain insight into the engineering design process. They plan, build, test, and iterate on their robot designs, fostering creativity and innovation.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Robotics is a team effort. Students work together in groups of two, fostering effective communication and cooperation as they tackle challenges and complete projects.

Critical Thinking

Troubleshooting is a significant part of robotics. Students learn to analyze problems, identify solutions, and adapt their code and designs accordingly.

Hands-On Learning

The course is designed to be highly interactive and hands-on. Students get to work directly with VEX robotics kits, which include various sensors, motors, and structural elements. This practical experience allows them to apply theoretical concepts learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios.

Project Highlights

Throughout the course, students engage in a series of exciting projects that showcase their growing robotics skills. 

Some of the project highlights include:

Autonomous Navigation: Students program their robots to navigate a maze autonomously, emphasising precision and sensor utilisation.

Robot Challenges: They participate in robot challenges that test their coding and problem-solving abilities, such as completing specific tasks and reacting to changes in the environment.

Sumo Robot Battle: Students build robots designed to compete in a sumo-style ring, demonstrating not only technical prowess but also strategic thinking.

3D printing: Students get to explore the world of 3D printing and expand their creative horizon. They use Tinkercad to design and create 3D models, tackle real-world design challenges, and bring their ideas to life on our 3D printers.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

The robotics course doesn't just end in Year 9; it serves as a foundation for further exploration. Students who develop a passion for robotics can participate in robotics clubs and competitions, where they can showcase their skills on a broader stage and even consider STEM-related career paths.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

We encourage parents to engage with their children regarding their robotics adventures. Discuss their projects, ask questions, and provide encouragement. Robotics can be an excellent way to spark an interest in technology and innovation, which could shape their future aspirations.

We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm and dedication our Year 9 students have shown in their robotics course. This journey into the world of VEX IQ robots is just the beginning, and we look forward to witnessing their continued growth and success in the field of robotics.

STUDENTS FEEDBACK

Throughout the term, I have thoroughly enjoyed my robotics class. There was a constant welcoming and energetic atmosphere full of passion toward every lesson. Everyone was determined to succeed, especially with the support of Mr Dang. From the first introductory lessons that established the basics of robotics to the latest learning task where we had to direct the robot to follow a track via a sensor, each lesson remained engaging and challenging in their own right. 

With the presence of such a great teacher, Mr Dang effortlessly boosted our morale and inspired us to work hard every day. The VEX IQ robots were easy to get the hang of and allowed us to explore creative solutions for achieving our goals with ease. I highly recommend this class for any future students who are passionate hard workers or slightly interested in robots or coding. Your time will be worthwhile.

Aidan Tran 9B

Throughout this robotic class, I felt very engaged and excited to learn, as it provided a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of robotics, hands-on experience with VEX robot, and the opportunity to collaborate with my teammate, which made the learning experience very enjoyable.

Spencer Wu 9F 

My time doing robotics has been an enjoyable experience and I have learnt many things using VexCode IQ. During this semester we learned to make a robot create a figure 8 shape using separate motors on each side of the robot for a circle effect, we also learned to make a robot follow any line no matter the shape. 

You work with a group of your choice for these learning tasks, so even if you don't enjoy the coding aspect you can have fun working together with friends, I personally enjoy working with code and I would recommend anyone with an interest in computers and programming to take up this class.

Landon Willis 90

There's just something awesome about creating smart machines that can do many things and interact with their surroundings. It blows my mind how we can make robots that do all sorts of cool stuff. Whenever there's a new robot breakthrough, I'm like, "Whoa, that's amazing!" Building robots is like an epic adventure in robotics class. You start with a difficult task which is to be completed with your partner. And make the robots do cool stuff with a computer by programming it. It's like solving a difficult puzzle, but when your robot finally does its thing, it's the best feeling ever.

Shiv Vyas 9J

Robotics in Grade 9 is a hands-on experience that is very interactive. Throughout the unit, you work with a partner which helps your teamwork skills. You make your robot out of Lego-like pieces at the start of the unit and must make it do many different activities. The first learning task we did was you start your robot in a square and it had to make a figure eight shape and then end back inside of the white box. Robotics is a very enjoyable subject to do with others in your class.

Ryan Fowler 9L

Throughout this course we had to build a robot and program it to do the following task, coding it to draw out a figure 8 shape, and following the line using the sensors. This course was very fun even though there were difficulties building and coding the robot, one of my favourite parts was that we got to work in pairs.

Jerry Lu 9F

Hieu Dang

Robotics Teacher