Angles and Patterns

1. Prepare

• Read through the pupil material in the EV3 Classroom App.
• Collect information about how the Gyro Sensor works.
• It’s recommended that the pupils have completed the other lessons in this unit before beginning this challenge.
• In order to complete this lesson, the pupils will have to have built the Driving Base model, which will take about 30 minutes to complete.

2. Engage (5 Min.)

• Use the ideas in the ‘Ignite a Discussion’ section below to engage your pupils in a discussion relating to this lesson.
• Divide your class into teams of two pupils.

3. Explore (20 Min.)

• Have each team build the Gyro Sensor extension for their Driving Base.
• Allow them time to use the provided programming stacks to explore how the Gyro Sensor can be used to detect changes in orientation and how My Blocks can be used to organise programs.

4. Explain (5 Min.)

• Facilitate a discussion about how My Blocks can be used to organise and reuse code.

5. Elaborate (15 Min.)

• Challenge your pupils to use the Gyro Sensor and My Blocks to program their Driving Bases to drive in a square three times and then drive in a triangle.
• Don’t forget to leave some time for tidying up.

6. Evaluate

• Give feedback on each pupil’s performance.
• To simplify the process, you can use the assessment rubrics that have been provided.

Gyro Sensors measure changes in rotation to help determine orientation. Wheeled robots can use such sensors to navigate, make precise turns and keep track of their position.

Use these questions to engage your pupils in a discussion about the ways in which robots can use Gyro Sensors:

• In which situations is it useful to detect changes in orientation so that a robot can navigate?
• Can you name some devices that use a Gyro Sensor?
• How does a Gyro Sensor work?

Building Instructions

• Driving Base
• Gyro Sensor – Driving Base

Keep the Driving Base assembled after use, rather than taking it apart.

Using the Gyro Sensor
The Gyro Sensor must be completely motionless while it’s being plugged into the EV3 Brick and during the start-up of the EV3 Brick. If the Gyro Sensor’s angle readings change while the Driving Base is standing still, unplug the sensor and plug it back in.

Main Program

Possible Solution

Simplify this lesson by:

• Spending additional time explaining how to use the Gyro Sensor
• Explaining how to create and use My Blocks

Take this lesson to the next level by:

• Challenging your pupils to create a program that will make their Driving Base trace out the letter ‘Z’
• Creating a maze and challenging your pupils to see how quickly they can create a program to navigate through it

Teacher Observation Checklist
Establish a scale that suits your needs, for example:

1. Partially accomplished
2. Fully accomplished
3. Overachieved

Use the following success criteria to evaluate your pupils’ progress:

• The pupils are able to program their Driving Bases to drive in patterns using the Gyro Sensor’s angle readings.
• The pupils are able to construct a My Blocks program.
• The pupils are able to understand how My Blocks can be used to tidy up their programs and make them easier to manage.

Self-Assessment
Have each pupil choose the level that they feel best represents their performance.

• Bronze: I’ve made the Driving Base turn 45 degrees based on the Gyro Sensor’s angle readings.
• Silver: I’ve used a My Block to make the Driving Base drive in a triangle based on the Gyro Sensor’s angle readings.
• Gold: I’ve created a My Block to make the Driving Base drive in a square based on the Gyro Sensor’s angle readings.
• Platinum: I’ve created and used a My Block to organise my program, which makes the Driving Base repeatedly drive in a square based on Gyro Sensor’s angle readings.

To incorporate the development of language arts skills:

• Have your pupils prepare and deliver a presentation about how they’ve programmed their Advanced Driving Base and how they've used My Blocks to help manage and simplify their programs.

Note: This will require additional time.

The pupils who enjoyed this lesson might be interested in exploring these career pathways:

• Information Technology (Computer Programming)
• Information Technology (Game Programming)
• Information Technology (IT Applications)