Pupils looking at wheels
Thurso Newton Room

Robotics and Mathematics (Primary)

10-12 years

4h + pre- and post-work

1108

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In this module the students will explore strategies to calculate the circumference of circles and the perimeter of other two-dimensional shapes. The practical work is done using Lego Mindstorms® EV3 robots. The pupils will become well acquainted with the term perimeter during this day. They must plan and carry out measurements and are encouraged to present and discuss their own choices of mathematical strategies. The module is suitable for pupils at Second-level. The maximum number of pupils per session is 32.

Robots and Perimeter is a mathematics module with emphasis on mathematical discussions and exploration of strategies to calculate the perimeter of two-dimensional shapes. The students work in pairs throughout the day. 

The module lasts 4 hours and consists of 3 activities : 

  • Activity 1: Circumference of the wheel. Working in pairs, pupils calculate and test how far a robot will travel when programmed to rotate its wheels a certain number of times. They are asked to present their strategies to the other pupils.
  • Activity 2: LEGO-figure challenge. The pupils must decide what mathematical information they need in order to programme their robot to travel as close as possible to a LEGO-figure. They will be allowed 2 attempts at this challenge but may practice/test their programme at their workspace before each attempt. 
  • Activity 3: Travel the shape. Pupils will create a shape on the floor using tape and then calculate it’s perimeter. They will then use this information to programme their robot to drive along the sides of the shape before demonstrating it to the rest of the class.
     

Robotics and Mathematics should challenge pupils to discuss, give reasons for their own choices and let the pupils develop and test different solution strategies in the activities. The Newton teacher helps the students assess which strategies are the most effective and uses the summary sessions to focus on the methods that the pupil's have used, not on the ‘correct answer’.

Pupils work in pairs the whole day. The module demands lots of floor space to work on and makes great use of the Lego Mindstorms EV3 Robots.

 

Curriculum for Excellence links for this module can be found here.