As a team they will create a Miniature Golf course using Lego's and Pico Cricket kits

1: Stuff you need BEFORE the lesson:

•      Maximum of 3 kits for the group (Minimum of 2 and one to three young people in each group.)
•      Make sure every computer has a the Pico Program running and working properly (Version 1.2 A; Released in 2008)

   

•      Double check the kits to make sure everything is in them
•      Sufficient amount of Lego's for the kids to be able to make the putter, goal area, and obstacles
•      Make sure each pico cricket has working batteries (be sure to have backup batteries)
•      Have a prepared example. 

2: Opening Concepts:

•      Explain what Pico is used for (refresh their memory)
•      Explain the project to the group
• Objective: To make a kicker, obstacle and goal using legos and pico blocks. Please customize the modules.
• Goal of the Day: To make a workable golf course.
• KICKER : A module that kicks a copper sphere.
• OBSTACLE : A module that may or may not prevent the user from making a goal with the copper sphere.
• GOAL : Notify user when he or she scores with the copper sphere.
•      Intro to Pico: go over what each part does   
• MOTOR OUTPUT: Can power the spinning mechanism.
• RESISTOR SENSOR : Can be use to sense the sphere.
• BUTTON SENSOR : Can be use to trigger any output variable.
• SOUND OUTPUT: The output that makes sounds.(speakers)
• MOTORBOARD OUTPUT: The board that directs the motor.
• PICOCRICKET: Use it to control your creation.
• DISPLAY:Displays numbers from variables and sensors
•      Understand motor (and motor board) function; and using sensors to control those motors. Also understanding resistors; and using resistors to control outputs.

3: Focus of the Lesson:

•      The focus of this lesson is for the group to be able to work in  separate teams, and in each team make a different section of a miniature golf course with the use of legos and sensors/programming from the Pico Cricket kits, and to then combine them all in order to make one miniature golf course. (TEAMWORK)

4: Teaching:

•      Divide the group into 3 teams:
• Within the 3 teams get them to brainstorm very briefly on ideas in making the putter, obstacles, and goal 

•  
• The Putter Team (Making the putter to hit the ball) (Primary: Motor, any sensor)-be creative
• The Obstacle Team (Making the obstacles...i.e windmill, etc. using sensors/motors of Pico)
• The Goal Team (Making the goal area where the ball is trying to get into) (Primary:Resistor, any output)
•      Let the students begin the building aspect of their designs (i.e either new designs or images like the one displayed on this lesson plan/activity sheet)
•      They are to then add the necessary sensors/motors to their designs and begin the programming/testing aspect
•      Once the teams are done they are to come together and test out their projects and as a team they will compete with one another ( will actually play the miniature golf / experiment with the module.)
•       If a team finishes early, ask them to develop a way to improve their module, or create a better module. 
• Example 1 : "How can you improve your module?"
• Example 2 : "How can you make your module run faster?"
• Example 3 : "How can you make the design more efficient?"

5: Clean Up:

•       Make sure everyone has cleaned up their area and all Pico pieces in the kits are accounted for *refer to inventory list on the top of the kits 

6: Circle Up:

•       If there is still time...then circle up and have them discuss what they learned 
•       Ask key questions *refer to Beginnings and Endings
•       Ask question specific to activity as they come up among the group during the activity

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28629285@N02/3810708471/sizes/o/

     ALWAYS get feedback. What can be improved?What they liked and didnt like?

miniature golf programming for goal and obstacle.docx

Miniature Golf Activity.doc   

sa1.docx