Element 1 : Learning the Basics

Module Objectives: I can…

…build a basic robot using Lego Mindstorms EV3
…program a robot to drive forward, backward, turn, and use the ultrasonic sensor.

Challenge 1
___Challenge 1: Build you Robot
Use your building guide (instruction book). Build the Robot on Pg 4-38,
54-68, and 41-46.
When you are done, have your robot checked by Mr. L.

___Challenge 2: Make a Square

Challenge: Make your robot drive in a square, returning to your starting point after making four
turns.

Now you will begin using the iPads to program your robots. One partner should go get an iPad
from the cart. REMEMBER YOUR NUMBER/COLOR. Use the same iPad every day.

-) Open “Lego Mindstorms Education” App on your iPad

-) Start a new program.
-) On the side you will see different colored menus. Each Color has a different purpose,
and these four are the important ones for us:
Pink blocks control movement and wheels.
Dark Blue blocks control the Tankbot Arm.
Yellow blocks control “Logic” and is called Events (If … happens, do this).
Light Blue blocks control sensors. Sometimes they also get attached to other
bricks.

-) When you add a motion brick to make it move straight, it may look like this:
This block makes your robot move forever or until a sensor is triggered.

This block allows you to control how long your robot moves.

This block stops movement.

-) To make your robot turn, you use this brick. The larger the turn number, to quicker
and sharper that the robot will turn.
 Challenge 2
-) To make a program, you simply link the blocks together in the order you
want the robot to do them, from top to bottom.

-) Try making your perfect square. HINT: you will need four movement
blocks and four turn blocks.

___Challenge 3: Adding a sensor

Challenge: Make your robot drive FORWARD until it is 30 centimeters from the wall. Then make it
drive backwards for 2 seconds.

-) For this challenge, you will need to use the ULTRASONIC SENSOR and its controls,
which use light blue Scratch blocks. You will specifically need to use an
ULTRASONIC SENSOR block.

This tell you what This tells use where This part controls if we want This tells the robot
sensor is being that sensor should to get close to (less than) of what distance to
used. be plugged in. far from (greater than) the look for.
object.
-) Remember that when you program the robot, you must tell it every step that it must
do. It only does what you say, so if it needs to STOP doing something, you must program
that in as well. So, think about it step-by-step:
1) Go forward Challenge 3
2) Wait until you are 15 cm
3) Go backwards for 2 seconds
4) Stop

-) Finally, bring your robot to the testing zone. Have Mr. L test your robot. Remember
Challenge 2 needs your robot to also reverse for exactly 2 seconds. When you pass your
challenge, you will get my initial.

___Challenge 4: Capture the Box

-) For this challenge, you will also add in the DARK BLUE programming brick that moves the small
motor. Make sure to test it. My hint to you is that the grabbing arm only needs to move for 0.3
seconds to be completely lowered.

-) Here is what the block will look like for your program.

NOTE: Counterclockwise = Down

Clockwise = Up
-) Remember to think about this step-by-step:
1) Go forward
2) Wait until you are really close to the block (~5cm)
3) Stop moving
4) Lower Arm
5) Drive backwards for two seconds.

-) When you are ready, bring your robot to Mr. L in the test zone to check off this challenge.

Element 1 COMPLETED