[Savannah-hackers] submission of Kids Robotics Class - savannah.gnu.org

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Reto Stamm <address@hidden> described the package as follows:
License: fdl
Other License: 
Package: Kids Robotics Class
System name: krc
Type: 2

Description:
I have volunteered to do a robotics class at the local school. 
I will write material for it, probably in latex or as info files, create dia 
diagrams, and have a makefile that compiles the Book, converts the diagrams, 
and does all the latex stuff. 

The Book will teach kids about electricity, how to use logo, how to control 
Hardware from a computer, how to take apart your toys and make them into remote 
controlled robots.

It will be targeted at (smart) Kid\'s from 9 to 11, and also provide loose 
sheets for the experiments (instructions etc).

This is a basic, preliminary outline of the plan.

Robotics: What to do?
=====================

LESSON 1: ELECTRICITY

Explain Electricity. Use Water equivalence. 

Points:

 - Electricity always goes around in a circle. If there is an
   interruption somewhere, it does not go past
 - Explain Switches and electric \"switching machines\" like relays and
   transistors 

 - Sources: Explain danger of AC. Explain Batteries (water balloon)
   example. Explain what not to do, to keep batteries from exploding. 
 - Loads: Motors, coils (for relay), lights, and LED\'s. Note that
   direction of current makes a difference for LED\'s and
   Motors. Explain when and why things blow up.

Lab:

 - Do simple tasks, create circuit with wires, batteries, switches and
   loads. Encounter practical problems. Repeat. 
   
   - \"Put a battery, a motor, a light bulb and 2 switches together so
     that you can turn everything off, or either the bulb or the motor
     on. \"
   - \"Use a switch to make the motor go backwards and forwards.\"



LESSON 2: PROGRAMMING

Lesson
 - Pick simple language (which one? Logo? Basic?)
 - Explain how computer does things (follow instructions).
 - Have 1 Child be computer and one instructor, move ball from a to b. 
 - Show debugger of hello world (step trough). 
 - Maybe introduce loops

Lab
 - Start Computers, write Hello World. 
 - Write small program that counts to 10 with loop
 - Use debugger (?)


LESSON 3: PUT IT TOGETHER

Lesson
 - Introduce new command that controls Hardware. 
 - Repeat lesson 1
 - Repeat lesson 2
 - Show example (debugger, lamp)

Lab
 - Make lights blink with program.
 - Make wheels turn with program. 


LESSON 4: VOLTAGE AND CURRENT

Lesson: 
 - What is a Voltage?
 - What is a Current?
 - What\'s analog/digital (on/off vs a little on or more on than off)
 - How to measure Voltages and Currents

Lab:
 - Read back signals (analog and digital) and measurements into
   computer. Show them on screen.
 - Measure Battery Voltages. Compare on screen. Add loads. !?!? 
 - Change outputs and read them back.


LESSON 5: RESISTORS AND OHM\'S LAW

Lesson:
 - Why does the Voltage go down when the Motor runs?
 - How to measure Resistance.
 - U/R=I and derivatives. 
 - Resistors and Potentiometers

Lab:
 - Measure Potentiometers. 
 - Maybe: Use Pot to change Angle of a Motor. (first real Robotics
   thing). 


LESSON 6: TAKE THINGS APART AND WIRE THEM UP

Lesson:
 - Review how to measure things, etc. 
 - How to cut cables without getting hurt. 
 - Measuring things that are not supposed to be measured. 

Lab: 
 - Take apart toy, measure internal voltages when it\'s working. 
 - Disconnect Wire and remote control from computer.




Other Software Required:
To run: Latex, Dia, gmake

To use: Logo (I will modify the free version, there may be a patch for that to 
control the HW.)

Other Comments: