Human Senses & Robot Sensors (CS35)

Learning Scenario Description
Title	“Human Senses & Robot Sensors”
Creator	Dimitra Dimitrakopoulou
Main Idea / Description	Students explore robotic sensors and understand that robot sensors are based on the functions of human sensory organs. They study how the sensors work through hands-on activities, such as constructing and programming their own robots equipped with touch and color sensors. Additionally, they identify when and why we use robotic sensors in real-life situations.
Target Group	Students aged 10-14 years old
Curriculum & Learning Subjects	Computer science
Competencies	Skills – problem identification – algorithms – abstraction – decomposition Students should learn: – that robots have sensors like humans have senses – what sensors robots have – when robot sensors are used – how color and touch sensors work in robots
Teachers’ Wellness Competencies	Emotional e-awareness: The teacher should be able to recognize students’ engagement levels and emotional states during the robot-building and programming activities. Social e-competency:The teacher should promote positive interactions among students during group work and class discussions. Emotional leadership/ e-mediacy: The teacher, as an emotional leader, should guide students in managing their emotions, especially in problem-solving situations. The teacher guides students in problem-solving, encourages questions, and facilitates discussions to resolve challenges.
Learning Scenario Framework
Pedagogical Method	Problem-based learning PI1: Emphasizing strengths (Lean on your strengths and have a positive mindset):Students should identify their strengths in understanding and applying concepts related to human senses and robot sensors. A positive mindset promotes problem-solving and creative thinking. PI2: Emotional Management (Learn to understand your emotions): Students should acknowledge and manage frustration or excitement during the robot-building process.  PI3: Enforcing attention and awareness (Be attentive and aware): Students should pay attention to details in building the robots and programming them. PI4: Relationships support (Support and work well with others): Τeamwork and effective communication among group members during the robot-building activity should be promoted at this learning scenario. PI6: Encouraging engagement (Engage students in self-directed and dedicated learning): Students should be motivated to take an active role in exploring the functionalities of sensors. Foster engagement through hands-on activities like building and programming robots.
Software & Materials	Lego Mindstorms Ev3, Lego Mindstorms Ev3 core set
Evaluation Tools	– Worksheets: Teachers should assess students through the completion of worksheets – Robots :Τeachers evaluate students by observing their Lego creations and the code students create to program their robots.
Learning Scenario Implementation
Learning Activities	Description Discussion: Part A) Students discuss about human senses and their functions (Sense of sight, sense of touch, sense of smell, sense of taste, and sense of hearing). They should be encouraged to discuss how we can link our senses to robot senses The focus is on exploring the connections between human senses and robotic senses, (References to Lego Mindstorms Ev3 sensors should be made).  Part B): The discussion shifts to the practical applications of sensors, such as gyro, color, ultrasonic, and touch sensors, in everyday life. Examples include their use in lighting systems, automatic doors, parking sensors, and other relevant contexts. Part C) Students present in groups their robots in class and a discussion takes place. They ask questions and they find solutions to every difficult part of their activities.  Part D) Students are motivated to think of situations in real life in which robots should “replace” humans. Afterward, they should try to identify which robotic sensors are used in these situations. (space exploration, entering dangerous areas, mowing lawns, etc.).                                                                  The teacher has to demonstrate how the touch and the color sensors work.  Students should work in groups and build a car and add a touch and a color sensor to their robots. They should program their robots to stop by using these sensors.                                                      Worksheets                   1. Create a car by using Lego Mindstorms Ev3. Add a touch sensor and a color sensor to your robot. 2. Program your car to move until it hits an obstacle. When it hits the obstacle, the car has to stop. 3 3. Program your car to move until it detects a black line. When it detects the black line,     the car has to stop.