SPIKE™ Prime Set

Training Camp 1: Driving Around

Build a Practice Driving Base and make precise and controlled movements.

30-45 min.
Beginner
Years 7-9 or Key Stage 3
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Lesson plan

1. Prepare

  • Read through the pupil material in the LEGO® Education SPIKE App.
  • If you feel that it's necessary, plan a lesson using the getting started material in the app. This will help to familiarise your pupils with LEGO® Education SPIKE Prime.

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.
  • Use the video to explain the lesson.

3. Explore (20 Min.)

  • Have your pupils work in pairs to build the Practice Driving Base model.
  • Allow them some time use the programming stacks that have been provided to explore the movement of the Driving Base.
  • Ask them to change the values and parameters of the blocks and to observe the effects.

4. Explain (5 Min.)

  • Facilitate a discussion about the importance of planning each step of their program.
  • Explain what pseudocode is and how it can help in their program planning.

5. Elaborate (15 Min.)

  • Have your pupils find a way to move their Driving Base in a square.
  • Set up a navigation challenge and encourage your pupils to test their skills.
  • Don't forget to leave some time for tidying up.

6. Evaluate

  • Give feedback on each pupil's performance.
  • In order to simplify the process, you can use the assessment rubrics that have been provided.

Ignite a Discussion

Successfully navigating through obstacles on robotics competition fields is a key to success. Engage your pupils in a discussion by asking them to:

  • Describe a field tactic associated with their favourite sport
  • List all of the movements that they think their Driving Base should be able to perform

Have your pupils watch this video to see what they're about to do.

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Building Tips

A Simple Driving Base
Use the simple Driving Base model without sensors. Remember to use the cable clips.

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Coding Tips

Main Program

SPIKE Competition Ready Training camp 1 Step03-Program - en-gb

Possible Solution

SPIKE Competition Ready Training camp 1 Teacher Solution - without gyro - en-gb

Other Programs

SPIKE Competition Ready Training camp 1 Teacher Solution - with gyro - en-gb

Differentiation

Simplify this lesson by:

  • Spending extra time explaining what is being controlled by each parameter of the programming blocks

Take this lesson to the next level by:

  • Asking your pupils to use the Gyro Sensor to program their Driving Base to drive in a square
  • Practising speed and precision on a larger surface, like a competition table

Assessment Opportunities

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 select appropriate blocks for making controlled movements.
  • The pupils are able to change the parameters of blocks in iterative ways.
  • The pupils are able to stack appropriate move blocks together to create programs.

Self-Assessment

Have each pupil choose the brick that they feel best represents their performance.

  • Blue: I've made the Driving Base move in different ways.
  • Yellow: I've created different programs in order to move the Driving Base move in a square.
  • Violet: I've combined different types of motor movements in order to successfully navigate around obstacles.

Peer-Assessment
Encourage your pupils to provide feedback to one another by:

  • Having one pupil use the coloured brick scale above to score another pupil’s performance
  • Asking them to present constructive feedback to one another so that they can improve their group’s performance during the next lesson
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Language Arts Extension

To incorporate the development of language arts skills:

  • Have your pupils look for the most precise way of travelling a distance of 2 metres by exploring these options:

    ▷ Move in seconds
    ▷ Move in degrees
    ▷ Move in rotations
    ▷ Move with sensor

  • Ask them to create a document explaining in which situation(s) they'd use each option and why.

Note: This will require additional time.

Maths Extension

To incorporate the development of maths skills:

When calculating distances with the Driving Base:

  • Drive forward for one second, one rotation or a certain number of degrees. Use this as the basis for estimating the total distance based on the distance that was travelled.
  • Calculate the circumference of the wheel and use this to measure the distance travelled (circumference = Pi x diameter or circumference = Pi x 2 x radius)

Note: This will require additional time.

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

  • Health Science (Medical and Health Careers)
  • Information Technology (Game Programming)

Teacher Support

The pupils will:

  • Learn how to execute controlled movements (e.g. straight move, point turn, curved move, turn with sensor, drive in a shape) using a Driving Base

LEGO Education SPIKE Prime Set

CAS Computing Progression Pathways

Algorithms:
Uses diagrams to express solutions. (AB)

Designs solutions by decomposing a problem and creates a sub-solution for each of these parts. (DE) (AL) (AB)

Programming and Development:
Uses post-tested loop e.g. ‘until’, and a sequence of selection statements in programs, including an if, then and else statement. (AL)

Data and Data Representation:
Knows that computers collect data from various input devices, including sensors and application software. (AB)

Information Technology:
Evaluates the appropriateness of digital devices, internet services and application software to achieve given goals. (EV)

Pupil Material

Student Worksheet

Download, view or share as an online HTML page or a printable PDF.