project-based learning creative robotics the challenge: the next generation of leaders and builders...

Project-based Learning Creative Robotics

The Challenge: The next generation of leaders and builders must use complex technology to solve some very tough problems.

The Mission: Inspire and guide kids to use technology constructively.

Inspire and guide kids to build

• Scratch computer game design

• Computer graphics

• 3D graphics

• Web site design

• Digital music

• Animated storylines

• Digital photography



• Robots that make music

• Robots that make money

• Robots that entertain

• Robots that dance



• Remote control contraptions.

• Made from craft materials and recycled toys.



What is a Build-It-Yourself robot?

Results that build confidence



Results that build teamwork



Results that drive kids to believe in themselves



Results that build character


StorylinesChallenges

ConstructionTips

Collaboration

The strategy that inspires and guides kids to build


Storylines and Challenges

• Build-It-Yourself has a library of 20 playful storylines that speak to a social issue.

• Kids are challenged to use technology to solve or better understand a social issue.

Challenges – Construction Tips - Collaboration


The Challenge …Imagine if you were a dragon and everyone was trying to slay you just because you looked like a dragon.



The Mission …Your mission is to figure out what a dragon must do

to win a friend. Then you must build and present that

dragon. You must program your dragon to offer a

friendly greeting when it detects another life form.



Would a friendly dragon

wave a sign?




play looney tunes?




dance?



Project Guidelines1) Do something useful2) Use materials creatively3) Look good



Build-It-Blocks is an online database of construction tips and functional building blocks that enable kids to build and edit complex, engaging solutions quickly with minimum supervision.



• Enjoy the fun of learning.

• Improve language and presentation skills

• Explore and build creatively.

• Share interests with friends around the world



Most of our teachers are graduate and undergraduate students from top universities in USA (Harvard, MIT, Cornell, Mass Art, Purdue)


• Hearson Zhang, Computer Science, Purdue University, 2012.

• Jacob Bredthauer, Math and Computer Science, MIT, 2011.

• Aditi Dugar, Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, 2011.

• Yuan Dong, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, 2010.

• Jamie Mckierman, Graphic Design Massachusetts College of Art, 2009.

• Tim Rades, Physics and Music, MIT, 2009.

• Naseem Makiya, Philosophy and Film, Harvard University 2008.


• Jonathan, 13. Harvard Westlake, CAHobbies: Building with LEGO'sHeroes: My dad and Achimedes. Quote: "Yar!”

• Jeronimo, 13. Colegio Las Hayas, Veracruz, MexicoHobbies: play computer games, walk, play volleyball, plantsHeroes: my dad. Quote: "Just do it."

• Carolyn, 12. School: Lucille Brown, VirginiaHobbies: Sailing, Lionel model trains, reading, history, science, cooking, skiing, Girl Scouts

• Benjamin, 13 Favorite Book: A Wrinkle in TimeHeroes: Socrates, Einstein, Thomas Edison, Leonardo daVinciQuote: "The unexamined life is not worth living." ~ Socrates

• Michael, 12 Genito, VAHobbies: Football, computers, businessMovie Fav: AvatarBand Fav: 3 Doors Down



John Galinato is the founder and project leader at Build-It-Yourself in Cambridge, MA. After receiving a Master's degree in electrical engineering from Cornell, John worked on engineering teams to develop a submarine detection system, the lunar landing module, telemetry for a Venus fly-by, the Patriot missile system, computer graphics software and Web applications for more than 25 years.

Huan Liu is the partner and project manager at Build-It-Yourself. He has a BS degree in Computer Science from MIT and is currently a graduate student at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab. His research is about robot manipulation planning under uncertainty. Before college, Huan was the president of the robotics club in Shanghai Southwest Weiyu Middle School and had won over 20 awards in competitions. He went to Research Science Institute at MIT in 2005 and was voted Rickoid of the Year.

project-based learning creative robotics the challenge: the next generation of leaders and builders...

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