Unleash your child's inner engineer! This engaging online course teaches kids to Design, build, and program robots in a virtual world! Students will learn to program robot movements, utilize virtual sensors, solve challenging mazes, and automate tasks, fostering essential STEM skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills without needing any physical robots.
Course Overview: Unleash Your Inner Engineer with Virtual Robots!
Ever dreamed of building and programming your own robot? Our "Virtual Robotics for Kids" course makes that dream a reality, right from your computer! Designed for young innovators (Grades 4-8), this engaging course dives into the exciting world of robotics for kids using VEXcode VR – a free, online simulation platform.
What You'll Do:
- Design & Code: Learn to drag-and-drop code blocks (and even introductory Python!) to control virtual VEX robots.
- Navigate Challenges: Conquer mazes, build virtual structures, and solve complex missions in a fun, digital environment.
- Explore Sensors: Understand how robots "see" and "feel" their world using virtual bumper sensors, distance sensors, color sensors, and more.
- Problem-Solve Like a Pro: Develop critical computational thinking and problem-solving skills as you debug your code and refine robot behaviors.
Why This Course?
- No Physical Robot Needed! Learn robot programming without the need for expensive hardware. All you need is a computer and internet access.
- Beginner-Friendly: Perfect for kids with no prior coding experience. Start with intuitive block coding and gradually transition to text-based Python.
- Future-Ready Skills: Build foundational STEM for kids knowledge, preparing them for advanced coding, robotics, and engineering concepts.
- Engaging & Interactive: A dynamic, hands-on learning experience that keeps kids excited about technology.
Learning Outcomes: What You'll Achieve
Upon completing this "Virtual Robotics for Kids" course, students will be able to:
1. Master VEXcode VR Interface & Setup:* Navigate the VEXcode VR online environment effectively. * Understand the layout of the coding workspace, robot playground, and dashboard.
2. Develop Core Robot Control Skills:* Program a virtual robot to move forward, backward, turn, and stop using precise commands. * Utilize a robot's virtual motors and drivetrain for accurate navigation.
3. Apply Fundamental Programming Concepts:* Write sequential code to execute a series of robot actions. * Implement loops (e.g., for
loops, while
loops) for repetitive tasks. * Use conditional statements (if/else
) to make robots respond to sensor data. * Create and call functions to organize and reuse code.
4. Integrate Sensor Data for Smart Robotics:* Read and interpret data from virtual bumper sensors, distance sensors, and color sensors. * Program robots to react intelligently to their environment based on sensor feedback.
5. Enhance Problem-Solving & Algorithmic Thinking:* Break down complex robotic challenges into smaller, manageable steps. * Debug code effectively to identify and fix errors in robot behavior. * Apply computational thinking principles to plan and execute robotic missions.
6. Build a Foundation for Advanced Robotics & Coding:* Gain confidence in block coding and be introduced to basic Python for robotics. * Understand the relationship between code and physical (virtual) robot behavior. * Be prepared to explore more complex robotics platforms and programming languages.
Course Curriculum
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- Week 1.1: Welcome to Virtual Robotics! Unlimited
- Week 1.2: My First Robot Moves! Unlimited
- Week 2.1: Efficient Movement with Loops (I) Unlimited
- Week 2.2: Speed and Time: Adjusting Robot Behavior Unlimited
- Week 3.1: Robot Art: Using the Virtual Pen! Unlimited
- Week 3.2: Colorful Creations: Changing Pen Colors Unlimited
- Week 4.1: Challenge: Pattern Drawing Unlimited
- Week 4.2: Debugging Basics: Finding Simple Errors Unlimited
- Week 5.1: How Robots “Feel”: Introduction to Sensors Unlimited
- Week 5.2: Bumper Bot! Making Decisions with Touch Unlimited
- Week 6.1: Distance Detective: Using the Distance Sensor Unlimited
- Week 6.2: Obstacle Avoider Unlimited
- Week 7.1: Color Me Curious: Introduction to the Color Sensor Unlimited
- Week 7.2: Stop on Color! Unlimited
- Week 8.1: Challenge: Color Block Navigator Unlimited
- Week 8.2: Debugging Sensor Code Unlimited
- Week 9.1: Decisions, Decisions: if/else Statements Unlimited
- Week 9.2: Simple Line Following (I) Unlimited
- Week 10.1: while Loops: Repeating Until a Condition Unlimited
- Week 10.2: Maze Runner I: Basic Maze Navigation Unlimited
- Week 11.1: Timers and Counts: Keeping Track of Time & Actions Unlimited
- Week 11.2: Race Against Time Unlimited
- Week 12.1: Level 1 Project Brainstorm & Plan Unlimited
- Week 12.2: Level 1 Project Work & Showcase Unlimited
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- Week 13.1: Gyro Sensor: Understanding Robot Orientation Unlimited
- Week 13.2: Perfect Turns with Gyro Unlimited
- Week 14.1: Location, Location: X, Y Coordinates Unlimited
- Week 14.2: Go To Spot: Programming to Coordinates Unlimited
- Week 15.1: Dynamic Obstacle Avoidance Unlimited
- Week 15.2: Maze Runner II: Advanced Maze Strategies Unlimited
- Week 16.1: Challenge: Precision Navigation Course Unlimited
- Week 16.2: Debugging Advanced Logic Unlimited
- Week 17.1: Functions (My Blocks): Making Code Neater Unlimited
- Week 17.2: Custom Robot Commands Unlimited
- Week 18.1: Variables: Storing Information for Your Robot Unlimited
- Week 18.2: Dynamic Robot Behavior Unlimited
- Week 19.1: Broadcast & Receive (Conceptual) Unlimited
- Week 19.2: Collaborative Robots (Conceptual) Unlimited
- Week 20.1: Game On! Robot Challenges with Scoring Unlimited
- Week 20.2: Debugging Functions and Variables Unlimited
- Week 21.1: Advanced Line Following Unlimited
- Week 21.2: Maze Runner III: Complex Mazes & Optimization Unlimited
- Week 22.1: Capstone Project Planning: My Intelligent Machine Unlimited
- Week 22.2: Capstone Project Work I: Initial Building Unlimited
- Week 23.1: Capstone Project Work II: Debugging & Refining Unlimited
- Week 23.2: Capstone Project Work III: Final Polish Unlimited
- Week 24.1: Capstone Project Showcase & Celebration Unlimited
- Week 24.2: Beyond VEXcode VR: Real-World Robotics & Future Unlimited