Session 8: Motors in Action – Introduction and Exploration
Session Architect: Muhammad Bilal
Session Length: 40 - 50 minutes
Equipment Required:
- M3D Robotics kit (including M3D Go and Servo Motor attachments like dumper and forklift).
- Laptops with Scratch pre-installed.
- Objects for students to pick up and transport (e.g., small blocks or toys).
- Paper and pencils for planning and documenting robot movement sequences.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how motors are used to control movement in robots.
- Learn to control the robot’s motor manually and through Scratch code.
- Complete a simple pick-up and drop-off task using the Servo Motor and attachments (dumper/forklift).
- Apply movement logic and motor control to complete the task
Resources:
Scratch Code File:
Grade 2 Session 8.sb3 (3.4 MB)
1. Introduction to Motors (10 minutes)
Activity:
Introduce students to Motors and explain their use in everyday life, using relatable examples.
Teacher’s Role:
Start by explaining what motors do and how they are used, connecting the concept to the robot’s wheels and familiar objects.
Instructions:
You may start the session by starting a discussion about motors in our daily life. If the students already know what they are, you can ask them for examples they have seen. Otherwise, you may continue with a discussion with daily life examples such as
“Motors are what make fans spin and toy cars zoom around. In fact, the wheels on our robot move because of hidden motors! Today, we’re going to explore a special kind of motor called a Servo Motor, which helps move things up and down—like picking up and dropping off objects.”
2. Connecting and Controlling Motors (15 minutes)
Activity:
Guide students to connect the Servo Motor and control it first with manual buttons and then with code blocks.
Instructions:
- Demonstrate Connecting the Motor:
-
Show students how to connect the Servo Motor to the robot.
-
Assist the students if they cannot figure out the pinout of if they are facing difficulty while connecting the pins.
- Manual Control with Buttons:
- Start with simple keyboard controls by loading the provided session file in the resources. You may say:
""First, we’ll control the motor using buttons like ‘W/S’ or ‘Q/A’ to move it up and down. Let’s see how the motor moves!”
- Let students control the motor and see the effect of pressing buttons to move the motor as the motors moves and makes a noise. The students won’t be able to see much since there is nothing connected to it.
- Encourage students to attach the provided motor attachments:
- Using Code Blocks:
Once they know how to control the robot using keyboard keys, you may move to Block Code movement now. You can say:
“Now let’s use code! We’ll use ‘Move Motor Up’ and ‘Move Motor Down’ blocks in Scratch to control the motor. This way, we don’t need to press buttons—just run the code and watch it happen!”
- Guide students to drag and drop the motor control blocks into Scratch and test their robot.
Teacher’s Role:
Guide students step by step, starting with manual control and transitioning to using code blocks. Help them connect the motor correctly and troubleshoot any issues during the process.
3. Guided Activity: Robot’s First Pick-Up Mission (25 minutes)
Activity:
Students will use the dumper or forklift to complete a simple task: picking up and moving an object or dumping it at a specific location.
Instructions:
- Set Up the Challenge:
- You may give them a mission like “We’re going to use the motor to pick up an object or carry items and dump them at a specific spot.”
- Place an object for each group to pick up or items in the dumper for them to transport.
- Plan the Task:
Encourage the importance of planning and ask them to think about the steps the robot needs to take. You can say:
"Let’s plan! First, we’ll move the robot to the object, then use the Motor to lift or dump it.”
- Guide students to first create a sequence of actions in their mind and encourage them to write it on paper. It could be a simple sequence such as:
- Move Forward for 2 seconds (Move Forward + Wait 2 seconds).
- Stop.
- Turn Right
- Move Forward for 3 seconds.
- Stop.
- Motor Down.
- Move Forward for 1 second.
- Stop.
- Motor Up.
- Turn Left 2 Times (Turn left + Repeat 2 Times).
- Express “Smile”.
- Encourage students to use all the blocks they have learnt in the previous sessions
- Test and Adjust:
- Students will program their robot and adjust the code accordingly
- Encourage students to test their code, make adjustments, and complete the task.
[The teacher may plan a joint activity where one team has to place an object while the other team picks it up and dumps it at a specified destination]
Or students may use “Move_Steps” block to make it simpler:
Teacher’s Role:
Guide students through the challenge, offering support in planning the sequence of actions and troubleshooting issues. Encourage creativity and experimentation.
4. Reflection and Conclusion (5-10 minutes)
Activity:
End with a reflection, encouraging students to share their thoughts about using the Motor.
Reflection Questions:
- “What was the most fun part of using the Motor?”
- “Was it easy or hard to control the motor to move or dump objects?”
- “What would you like to try next with the motor?”
Teacher’s Role:
Facilitate the discussion, encouraging students to reflect on what they learned and how they can improve for the next session.
Learning Outcome:
By the end of the session, students will understand how to use the Motor with manual buttons and code blocks, and they will have completed a simple task using the dumper or forklift attachment.