Robotics Training for Ages 15-18 in St Kitts and Nevis
Robotics Training for Ages 15-18 in St Kitts and Nevis
“Welcome to our robotics course for ages 15-18! In this online curriculum, you will learn the fundamentals of robotics and gain programming skills using languages such as Python, C++, and Java. You will also use software development tools like IDEs and version control. Our hands-on approach will have you building and programming your own robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS, starting with basic movements and control flow and progressing to more complex behaviors and control systems. In the second term, you’ll have the chance to work on robotics projects and prepare for a competition. In the final term, you’ll present your projects, participate in the competition, and reflect on your learning. By the end of this course, you’ll be inspired and equipped to pursue further study or a career in the exciting field of robotics.”
The AIM (aims) of the curriculum is:
- To provide a comprehensive introduction to robotics and programming, including the definition, history, and types of robotics, as well as basic principles and safety considerations
- To give students hands-on experience with different types of robots and how they work, as well as the opportunity to write simple programs to solve problems
- To introduce students to LEGO MINDSTORMS and the EV3 programming environment, and teach them how to build and program basic robots
- To teach students about basic robot movements and simple control flow using if-else statements
- To introduce students to advanced building techniques with LEGO MINDSTORMS and using sensors to control robot behavior
- To teach students about programming more complex behaviors and advanced control flow using loops and nested if-else statements
- To provide hands-on experience building and programming a robot to navigate through an obstacle course using sensors.
Time Table Allocation
Here is the suggested time-table allocation for the provided curriculum, presented in a table format with terms and total time allocation:
| Term | Week | Topic | Time (hours) | Total Time (hours) |
| 1 | 1 | Introduction to robotics and basic concepts | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Programming basics | 1 | 3 | |
| 3 | Building robots with LEGO MINDSTORMS | 1 | 3 | |
| 4 | Intermediate robot building and programming | 1 | 3 | |
| 2 | 5 | Mobile robots and autonomous navigation | 1 | 3 |
| 6 | Robot vision and machine learning | 1 | 3 | |
| 7 | Advanced programming and control systems | 1 | 3 | |
| 8 | Robotics projects and competition preparation | 1 | 3 | |
| 3 | 9 | Robotics projects and competition preparation (continued) | 1 | 3 |
| 10 | Robotics project presentations and competition | 1 | 3 | |
| 11 | Review and wrap-up | 1 | 3 |
This time-table allocates 3 hours per week to the course, with one hour dedicated to each of the main topics outlined in the curriculum. This allows for a balanced and comprehensive coverage of the material, while also allowing for some flexibility in case some topics take longer or shorter than expected.
It is important to note that this is just a suggested time-table and may need to be adjusted based on the specific needs and goals of the course, as well as the age and abilities of the students. Additionally, it may be helpful to incorporate some time for hands-on activities and practice, as well as time for review and reinforcement of key concepts.
Materials List
Here is the table showing the materials needed for the curriculum, grouped by term:
Term 1:
| Week | Materials Needed |
| 1 | History of robotics resources (textbook, online articles, etc.) Examples of different types of robots Safety gear (gloves, goggles, etc.) – Tour of different types of robots |
| 2 | Introduction to programming languages resources (textbook, online articles, etc.) Programming exercises and examples – IDEs and version control tools |
| 3 | LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 kit EV3 programming environment – Examples of basic robot movements and control flow |
| 4 | LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 kit EV3 programming environment Examples of advanced building techniques and sensor usage – Obstacle course setup |
Term 2:
| Week | Materials Needed |
| 5 | Mobile robots and autonomous navigation resources (textbook, online articles, etc.) Mobile robots and sensors – Robot localization and mapping resources |
| 6 | Computer vision resources (textbook, online articles, etc.) Image processing exercises and examples Machine learning resources (textbook, online articles, etc.) Machine learning libraries (e.g. TensorFlow) – Images for object classification activity |
| 7 | Advanced programming resources (textbook, online articles, etc.) – Control systems resources (textbook, online articles, etc.) Programming exercises and examples for control systems – Equipment for implementing control systems (e.g. sensors, motors, etc.) |
| 8 | Robotics project resources (textbook, online articles, etc.) – Equipment and materials for robotics projects (e.g. sensors, motors, materials for building, etc.) |
Term 3:
| Week | Materials Needed |
| 9 | Robotics competition resources (textbook, online articles, etc.) Competition rules and guidelines – Equipment and materials for competition (e.g. sensors, motors, materials for building, etc.) |
| 10 | Robotics project presentation resources (textbook, online articles, etc.) Equipment for project presentations (e.g. projector, screen, etc.) – Materials for creating project posters or presentations |
| 11 | Career resources for robotics (textbook, online articles, etc.) Resume and cover letter writing resources – Interview preparation resources |
| 12 | Robotics project presentations – Career fair or job shadowing opportunities |
Note to Students
Dear students,
Welcome to the robotics training curriculum for ages 15-18! In this course, you will have the opportunity to learn about the basics of robotics and its applications, programming and software development tools, and advanced building and programming techniques. You will also learn about mobile robots and autonomous navigation, computer vision and machine learning, and advanced programming and control systems.
Throughout the course, you will have the chance to engage in hands-on activities to practice what you have learned and apply your knowledge to solve real-world problems. You will also have the opportunity to tour different types of robots and understand how they work, build and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS, and program mobile robots to navigate a course using sensors and control systems.
We encourage you to ask questions, participate actively in class, and collaborate with your peers to make the most of this learning experience. We are excited to guide you on this journey and see what you will create and achieve with your newfound skills.
Best regards,
Dr. Ricardo R. Neil DSc ITM
Chairman
St. Kitts and Nevis Robotics Association (SKNRA)
Note to Parents
Dear parents,
We are excited to offer a robotics training curriculum for your child, aged 15-18. In this course, your child will have the opportunity to learn about the basics of robotics and its applications, programming and software development tools, and advanced building and programming techniques. They will also learn about mobile robots and autonomous navigation, computer vision and machine learning, and advanced programming and control systems.
Throughout the course, your child will have the chance to engage in hands-on activities to practice what they have learned and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems. They will also have the opportunity to tour different types of robots and understand how they work, build and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS, and program mobile robots to navigate a course using sensors and control systems.
We encourage you to encourage your child to ask questions, participate actively in class, and collaborate with their peers to make the most of this learning experience. We believe that this course has the potential to provide your child with valuable skills and knowledge that they can use in their future studies and careers.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
Dr. Ricardo R. Neil DSc ITM
Chairman
St. Kitts and Nevis Robotics Association (SKNRA)
Notes to Teachers
Dear teacher,
Thank you for offering the robotics training curriculum for students aged 15-18. We appreciate the time and effort that you are putting into preparing and delivering the lessons for this course.
As you know, robotics is a rapidly growing field that has numerous applications and the potential to shape the future of many industries. By teaching students the basics of robotics and its applications, programming and software development tools, and advanced building and programming techniques, you are providing them with valuable skills and knowledge that they can use in their future studies and careers.
We encourage you to continue to engage and challenge your students through hands-on activities and real-world problem solving, as well as encourage their creativity and collaboration. We are confident that with your guidance and expertise, our students will gain a deep understanding of robotics and its potential.
Thank you again for your dedication to providing a high-quality education for our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
Dr. Ricardo R. Neil DSc ITM
Chairman
St. Kitts and Nevis Robotics Association (SKNRA)
Lessons
Term 1:
- 1. Define and describe the history of robotics
- 2. Identify and classify different types of robots based on their applications
- 3. Understand basic principles of robotics, including sensors, actuators, and control systems
- 4. Understand safety considerations when working with robots, including handling electronics and tools
- 5. Hands-on activity: Tour different types of robots and understand how they work
- 6. Introduce programming languages and their applications (Python, C++, Java, etc.)
- 7. Understand programming concepts such as variables, loops, and functions
- 8. Practice basic programming exercises, including debugging simple programs
- 9. Introduce software development tools such as IDEs and version control
- 10. Hands-on activity: Write a simple program to solve a problem (e.g. calculating the average of a list of numbers)
- 11. Introduce LEGO MINDSTORMS and the EV3 programming environment
- 12. Practice building and programming basic robots
- 13. Understand basic robot movements such as forward, backward, and turning
- 14. Introduce simple control flow using if-else statements
- 15. Hands-on activity: Build and program a robot to follow a straight line using touch sensors
- 16. Practice advanced building techniques with LEGO MINDSTORMS, including gears and levers
- 17. Understand how to use sensors to control robot behavior, including touch, light, and ultrasonic sensors
- 18. Program more complex behaviors such as following a line and avoiding obstacles
- 19. Introduce more advanced control flow using loops and nested if-else statements
- 20. Hands-on activity: Build and program a robot to navigate through an obstacle course using sensors
Term 2:
- 21. Introduce mobile robots and their applications, including delivery, inspection, and mapping
- 22. Understand autonomous navigation techniques such as dead reckoning and sensors
- 23. Practice programming mobile robots to navigate a course using sensors and control systems
- 24. Introduce robot localization and mapping
- 25. Hands-on activity: Program a mobile robot to navigate a predetermined course using sensors and control systems
- 26. Introduce computer vision, including image acquisition, processing, and analysis
- 27. Practice basic image processing techniques such as filtering, edge detection, and segmentation
- 28. Introduce machine learning and its applications in robotics, including classification, prediction, and control
- 29. Hands-on exercises with machine learning libraries (e.g. TensorFlow)
- 30. Hands-on activity: Use machine learning to classify objects in an image
- 31. Understand advanced programming concepts such as data structures and algorithms
- 32. Introduce control systems and PID control
- 33. Practice programming control systems for robot behavior, including following a line and maintaining a setpoint
- 34. Hands-on exercises with control systems
- 35. Hands-on activity: Implement a PID control system to maintain a setpoint on a mobile robot
- 36. Understand the process of planning and executing a robotics project, including defining a problem, prototyping solutions, and testing
- 37. Learn about preparing for a robotics competition, including rules, strategy, debugging, and testing
- 38. Practice competition-specific tasks such as line following and object manipulation
- 39. Hands-on activity: Work in teams to plan and prototype a robotics project
Term 3:
- 46. Review key concepts and techniques learned throughout the course
- 47. Discuss future directions in robotics, including emerging technologies and potential applications
- 48. Reflect on the experience of completing the course and participating in a robotics competition
- 49. Hands-on activity: Participate in a group discussion about the future of robotics
- 51. Understand the key concepts and techniques related to the topic
- 50. Introduce the chosen topic and its relevance in robotics
- 52. Explore real-world applications and current research in the field
- 53. Hands-on activity: Apply what has been learned to a related problem or task
- 54. Participate in a group discussion or presentation about the topic and its implications in robotics
