Getting Started Project - Part C: Milo’s Tilt Sensor

• For information regarding general preparation, please see the “Classroom Management” chapter.
• Read through this project so you have a good idea of what to do.
• Prepare to introduce this project to your pupils.
• Define your expectations and theirs.
• Determine the end result of this project: Everyone should have a chance to build, program, and document.
• Make sure that timing allows for expectations to be met.

Important
It is recommended that you complete the four Getting Started Projects in a single sequence. If not, it is recommended that you complete these before moving on to other projects. This will give the pupils ample time to explore the materials.
Approximate timing for the four Getting Started Projects is:
• Part A: Milo the Science Rover: 40 min.
• Part B: Milo’s Motion Sensor: 15 min.
• Part C: Milo’s Tilt Sensor: 15 min.
• Part D: Collaborate: 15 min.

When rovers locate what they are looking for, they send a message back to the base.

Questions for discussion
1. Why is communication between a rover and its base so important?
If a rover successfully completes a series of tasks, but fails to send back the results, the mission will be deemed a failure. A communication link between the remote rover and the base is essential.
2. How do we communicate with rovers?
Currently, satellites are used to transmit radio signals between the base and the rover.

Using the Tilt Sensor and the provided building instructions, your pupils will build a device that can send a message back to the base.

The program string will trigger two actions, depending on the angle detected by the Tilt Sensor:
• If tilted down, the red LED will light up.
• If tilted up, a text message will appear on the device.

Make sure that each pupil takes a screenshot of their final program. Ask them to practise documenting the program strings they used in their project.