Robotics Class: Program a Virtual Robot (FLEX)
Use block-based coding to begin to understand programming while coding a virtual robot on your own schedule!
Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:(176)
What's included
Class Experience
In this 6-week class, students will learn how to program their robot in a virtual environment that they can practice in for days to come! Students will use VEX Code, a block based coding language that allows them to understand sequential programming, loops, decision making logic, functions, variables and some sensors. Students will practice problem-solving skills as they find solutions to weekly challenges. Students do not need a robot to participate in these lessons. All robotics programming will be done virtually. This programming class is for beginning programmers who are interested in learning a little bit about being a robotics programmer, and how programming and robotics work! Week 1: What is a robot? and beginning programming -Discussion about robots and programming -Create your first robot program Week 2: Programming structures -Introduction to what program structures are -Use loops to draw shapes Week 3: Functions -Introduction to functions/myBlocks -Using functions to make “mini programs” Week 4: Sensors -What are sensors and how do they work? -Use a touch sensor to program your robot to solve a maze -Use a distance sensor to make a “robot vacuum” Week 5: Sensors Part 2 -Use a color sensor to program your robot through a color maze Week 6: Variables -Introduction to variables and how to use them -Use variables to program your robot to make a unique design As this is a FLEX course, there are no required live meetings. The teacher will post new videos each week. These videos will include videos explaining the topics programming topics covered that week, introductions to the challenges of the week and a video with a solution of how to make a program that solves the challenge. Students will also be asked to post videos of their robot completing tasks in the classroom and also answer questions from the teacher about the programs either in the video or in a comment. Students will then watch the video submission of at least one other classmate and positively comment on it. Students will also compete in a weekly Kahoot! game that reviews the topics of the week. Students will be periodically asked to think of questions they think are important to know from that week to be included in the quiz. Students will also be making a project that explains how one of the sensors works and a use for it in real life.
Learning Goals
Students will learn the basics of programming including basic movement, loops, functions, variables, decisions and sensors. They will be able to program their robot to move around and solve challenges as well understand how sensors work and applications for them in the real world.
Other Details
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined May, 2020
4.7
176reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania is a unique organization consisting of 15 Clubhouses and our Career Works Center as well as our virtual classrooms in Outschool; seven of our Clubhouses are school-based sites and eight are stand-alone facilities. We are experts at running fun and engaging classes and summer camp programs. We also offer partner programs inside of 7 school-districts and other community centers across the Pittsburgh Metro and have expansion plans for surrounding counties. We serve several thousand youth ages 4-18, making us the largest comprehensive after school and summer youth provider in our region. Our goal is to provide every young person with the essential tools needed for a successful and bright future by doing whatever it takes to activate and advance their potential, especially during this time when face to face programming and camps will be limited.
For over 130 years the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania has been serving youth and influencing young people. One of our greatest accomplishments is that we have been able to adapt to the needs of our youth. Our staff are former and current teachers, AmeriCorps members and dedicated program directors.
Specific acknowledgements include:
Life’s Work Employer of the Year Award
Boys & Girls Clubs of America Founding Member Award
United Way of Allegheny County Outstanding Campaign Performance Award
Agency Leadership in Volunteerism H.J. Heinz II Volunteer Award
Boys & Girls Clubs of America Honor Award for Program of the Decade
Boys & Girls Clubs of America Military Outreach Award
Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice Commission Community Based Program of the Year
United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania Award for Excellence
Every day, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania strive to improve each young person’s life by growing self-esteem, academic abilities, professional skills, courage, and positive values through all of our programs; we have five core program areas. Several thousand youth come to our Clubhouses or participate in our programs every year to receive tutoring and homework help, technical training, sports, participate in the Pirates RBI Program, build healthy lifestyles, build their arts skills, engage in fun and enriching summer programming, get ready for life after high school, or just come to a safe place to be with friends. Our youth gain confidence by developing a sense of competence, usefulness, positive influence and belonging within safe spaces.Reviews
Live Group Class
$12
weekly or $70 for 6 weeks6 weeks
Completed by 2 learners
No live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
