Episode 50: Teaching Robotics With Python

This week, Sean & Kelly discuss how they are using Python to teach robotics in middle school, including the hardware and software it takes to get students thinking about how robots sense, process, and move in the world. With coronavirus precautions in place, our traditional approaches to robotics competitions through organizations like FIRST Lego League have been put aside. We're using this as an opportunity to get back to basics and teach students about sensors, servos, Python code, and more.

Support Teaching Python

Links:

• Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express with Bluetooth LE ID: 4500 - $39.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits — Do you feel like you just don't have a CLUE? Well, we can help with that - get a CLUE here at Adafruit by picking up this sensor-packed development board. We wanted to build some projects that have a small screen and a lot of sensors. To make it compatible with existing projects, we made it the same shape and size as the BBC micro:bit and with the same edge-connector on the bottom with 5 big pads so it will fit into your existing robot kit or 'bit add-on.
• Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express ID: 3093 - $29.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits — We designed Crickit - That's our Creative Robotics & Interactive Construction Kit. It's an add-on to our popular Circuit Playground Express that lets you #MakeRobotFriend using CircuitPython, MakeCode, or Arduino.

  Bolt on your Circuit Playground using the included stand-off bolts and start controlling motors, servos, solenoids. You also get signal pins, capacitive touch sensors, a NeoPixel driver and amplified speaker output. It complements & extends the Circuit Playground so you can still use all the goodies on the CPX, but now you have a robotics playground as well.

• Adafruit CRICKIT for micro:bit ID: 3928 - $29.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits — Plug your :bit into the 40 pin edge connector and start controlling motors, servos, solenoids. You also get signal pins, capacitive touch sensors, a NeoPixel driver and amplified speaker output. It complements & extends micro:bit so you can still use all the goodies on the :bit, but now you have a robotics playground as well.
• Amazon.com: DFROBOT Maqueen Micro:bit Robot Platform - Graphical Programming Educational Robotic Car for Kids - STEM Learning DIY Mini Robot Kit for Maker Education (Without Micro:bit Board): Toys & Games — Hello, my name is Maqueen, is a graphical programming robot for STEM education, which inherits playability and simple operation of micro:bit. The Mini-body, interesting features and plug-and-play allow children to quickly learn graphic programming in entertaining, nurturing children's interest in science and logical thinking.
• Amazon.com: Yahboom BBC Micro:bit Coding Robot STEM Education Kit for Kids to Programmable DIY Toy Car with Tutorial for 10+ (Without Micro:bit): Toys & Games — Robot toy car is a collection of BBC micro:bit board, learning kits, and expansion boards, allowing you to learn micro:bit from simplest to more complex,turn ideas into reality and let more children become maker. The vehicle model is small and cute. Most of the parts are connected with screw and a few parts are designed with anti reverse socket, which makes installation simple and safe.
• Amazon.com: Adeept BBC Micro:bit Sensor Starter Kit | Microbit Programmable Starter Kit for Micro:bit with 35 Projects PDF Tutorial Book | Micro:bit and Expansion Board Included: Toys & Games — Micro:bit Starter Kit for BBC, micro:bit is a tiny programmable computer, designed to make learning and teaching easy and fun!
  BBC Micro:bit Development Board is included.
  Provided with: Blocks and Python code.
  Compatible with micro bit.
  Includes common sensor modules such as: buzzers, LEDs, push buttons, sound sensors, soil moisture sensor, Ultrasonic module etc, allow you make a lot of interesting projects like Traffic Light, Magnetic Check, Temperature Test, Joystick Test, Ultrasonic control DC motor, Ultrasonic control RGB bar, Changes of the Soil Moisture, Temperature Alarm, Neopixel etc.
  Easy to assemble, encourages learning: Perfect DIY inventor project for micro:bit experiment and programming beginners.
• Adeept BBC Micro:Bit Expansion Board v3.0
• Gikfun 1V-6V DC Hobby Motor Type 130 Micro Motor Toy Motor DC Motor for Arduino (Pack of 5PCS) EK1894 - - Amazon.com — DC1V-6V
  Cable Length:about 70mm
  Used to connect spindle gears and propellers, model cars, aircraft, etc.
• Amazon.com: Miuzei 10 pcs SG90 9G Servo Motor Kit for RC Robot Arm Helicopter Airplane Remote Control: Toys & Games — Application Fields: remote control helicopters, micro robot, robot arm and boats. ALL kind of R/C Toys and Arduino experiments
  Interface Type: compatible with JR & Futaba interface. No Load Running Speed: 0.09±0.01 sec/60° at 4.8V Rotary Angle: 120°
• Amazon.com: [4-Pack] MG996R 55g Metal Gear Torque Digital Servo Motor for Futaba JR RC Helicopter Car Boat Robot: Toys & Games — This MG996R Servo motor which updated from SG90 and MG90S micro servo motor. (the Speed, Tension and Accuracy all increase)
  The MG996R model compliant with most standard receiver connector,for Futaba, Hitec, Sanwa, GWS etc.
• uxcell 5 Pcs 10K OHM Linear Taper Rotary Potentiometer 10KB B10K Pot Zinc Plating with 13mm Shaft: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific — Features: 10K ohm, 3 terminals, single linear (Type b), suits most standard knobs. Top adjustment Type and knurled shaft for easy operate in daily use time. Main used to control electrical devices such as volume controls O