Description: If you’ve ever used Scratch before, this basic badge uses Scratch to program a RasbPi! How cool is that! You’re going to need a few things to make this happen. You’re going to create a paper robot using Scratch and Raspberry Pi!
Part 1: Get Making!
Go ahead and redirect yourself over to Rasperry Pi’s tutorial on this creation. It’s very detailed, and lays out all that you will need.
Final Step! Create a quick demo video of your final creation. Take pictures and add that to your badge!
Estimated Time: One to two class periods.
Some tips along the way: Take video of your final project, and get an instructor to visually check out your project, if you can. Always create a “demo video” of all of your projects. Why? They can be used as evidence of completion. One demo video can be enough evidence to receive numerous badges. Only needs to be about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Earn Your Badges: When you’re done, earn your badge!
Description: If you’ve ever used Scratch- you’re in luck. With App Inventor 2, you can create and publish your very own Android App! Quest has its own store in the Google Play store. For this first time, you can get your feet wet, by running a few of the App Inventor tutorials, and testing your app on a real phone.
For this app, let’s not publish it in the Google Play store, but upload the APK file to Google Drive. To do this, you’ll need to download the .APK File. Go to Build—> Save .APK to my computer.
In Drive, click on the file, and choose the share icon on the top choices.
Make sure that “Anyone with the Link” can open the file, then COPY that link. You’ll use that link as evidence for your badge!
Final Step! Create a quick demo video. Use the Google Drive link and the video as evidence of completion! Now you’ll have 2 pieces of evidence!
Estimated Time: One to two class periods.
Some tips along the way: Take video of your final project, and get an instructor to visually check out your project, if you can. Always create a “demo video” of all of your projects. Why? They can be used as evidence of completion. One demo video can be enough evidence to receive numerous badges. Only needs to be about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Earn Your Badges: When you’re done, earn your badge!
Description: For this badge, you’re going to get the LilyPad Arduino up and running. We recommend that you get your Arduino Basic badge FIRST. Go here and get that now. It will really help you grasp what you’re doing with the LilyPad. Basically, you’re going to do do two things here. Upload and run the Blink Sketch on the LilyPad, then you’re going to power the LilyPad independently with a Coin Cell battery. Now let’s get started!
Part 1: Watch this overview, which will take you through this process:
Part 2: Get yourself over to a PC or Mac to use your Arduino IDE. Things you’ll need:
You’ll also need a standard mini USB cable and an FTDI board.
The FTDI Board looks like this:
You can use Codebender.cc or the Arduino Software, but you must use a PC or Mac, because the LilyPad requires a special driver for the FTD1 Driver. Once you open either the Arduino software or the Codebender environment, make sure it’s set for LilyPad Arduino w/ ATMega328and whatever port you’re using on your computer.
On Codebender.cc:
For PCs, you’ll most likely see COM3 or COM5 as a port. Macs are a bit different.
On Arduino software:
Part 3: Attach an LED to LilyPad Arduino like this.
Upload your code to the LilyPad. Copy the code below, and paste it into your code environment. Upload. If the LilyPad LED blinks, it works!
/*
* LilyPad sample code, blink an LED attached to pin 5
*/
int LED1 = 5; // LED is connected to digital pin 5
void setup()
{
pinMode(LED1, HIGH);
}
void loop() // run over and over again
{
digitalWrite(LED1, HIGH); // set the LED on
delay(1000); // delay for 1 second
digitalWrite(LED1, LOW); // set the LED off
delay(1000); // delay for 1 second
}
Part 4: Adding a Power Supply!
You can add a power supply with a AA battery box. Watch this video below to see how to unplug from the computer and run your Arduino to make it independent:
Final Step! Create your video, and now you have 2 pieces of evidence for your Arduino Basic badge!
Estimated Time: One to two class periods.
Some tips along the way: Take video of your final project, and get an instructor to visually check out your project, if you can. Always create a “demo video” of all of your projects. Why? They can be used as evidence of completion. One demo video can be enough evidence to receive numerous badges. Only needs to be about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Earn Your Badges: When you’re done, earn your badge!
Description: For this badge, you’re going to dip your toes into programming the Arduino UNO. You’ll start by simulating programming an Arduino microcontroller. How do you do that? Before you even pick up any hardware you’re going to use 123d.circuits.io and use this free, online tool to create and publishyour first Arduino program!
Part 1: Go to 123d.Circuits.io, and Log in with an AutoDesk account.
This could be your own Autodesk account (or the class Tinkercad Account will work). Log in, then watch this 5 minute walk through.
Part 2: Publish Your Arduino Simulation!
To earn this badge, you will need to share your Arduino Simulation. Once you are done creating the simulation, name it:
Once you’ve named it, go back to your library, and click on your new published circuit. Copy the URL and SAVE that link. You’ll need that link for evidence of your badge.
Part 3: Now do it for REAL
Now that you’ve created your Arduino circuit, snag an Arduino Kit, and run the software on the device. Your kit should have:
Upload your software using Codebender. Plug the Arduino Uno into your Chromebook, and then open Codebender and “Let’s Go.” You’ll may notice the Blink code is pre-loaded! The challenge with Codebender is the make sure that you choose the correct port on your Chromebook for connectivity. Use this graphic to connect your LED and transistor? (Question: on the LED which one is the positive and which is negative?)
Final Step! Create your video, and now you have 2 pieces of evidence for your Arduino Basic badge!
Estimated Time: One to two class periods.
Some tips along the way: Take video of your final project, and get an instructor to visually check out your project, if you can. Always create a “demo video” of all of your projects. Why? They can be used as evidence of completion. One demo video can be enough evidence to receive numerous badges. Only needs to be about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Earn Your Badges: When you’re done, earn your badge!
Description: Level 1 & 2 barely scratch the surface on what is possible with Minecraft. In level 3 you will explore Minecraft Computer Science capabilities using the ComputerCraftEdu Mod.
Background Info: ComputerCraftEdu expands on ComputerCraft adding a Beginner’s Turtle which is simpler to use.
Installing the Mod:
What are Turtles: Check out the trailer below for an introduction to these little robots. Think of them as Spheros for Minecraft!
Programming the Turtles: Click here to view a tutorial series on Beginner Turtles.
NOTE: On video 5 “Taking It Further”, the video mentions the coding editor. This is a preferred method for the more advanced coders as it can be faster to type commands than drag and drop. If it sparks your interest and you want to experience what “real” coding is, you can find a reference of commands available (API – application program interface) by clicking here.
What’s it going to be?
Your job is to brainstorm and find innovative ways to solve a problem using Turtles. As a starting point, think of how we use robots in the real world to solve problems. Then share it! Create a YouTube Screencast of your demo, using Screencastify for Chrome.
Ideas: Think outside the box. Who is your audience? Has anyone done this before? If so, how is your idea different? Could this be a service learning project or idea?
Some tips along the way: Take pictures of your final project, and get an instructor to visually check out your project, if you can. Create a video “demo video” of all of your projects. Why? They can be used as evidence of completion. One demo video can be enough evidence to receive numerous badges. Only needs to be about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Earn Your Badges: When you’re done, earn your badge!
Students who participated in the SIT Conference can claim a badge for their work!
Students who present at the SIT Conference put in a lot of extra work outside of class. They exemplify the engineer spirit, and must be persistent to complete projects and share those with other students.
Often those projects are not part of a particular Makerpath, and come directly from the student’s passion. To share one’s knowledge is one of the most important things engineers and scientists can do. Claim your badge below!
Description: Now- big deal here. You’re going to create a 3 dimensional room using Blender, which is available for PC or Mac. Blender is animation program that allows you to create Hollywood-style special effects with 3D. Now- with Google Cardboard- we can export those experiences, upload them to YouTube for viewing in Google Cardboard.
How awesome is that?
Part 1: Get Your Idea ON! Fill Out a Challenge Proposal
So- you need to create a simulated room- what’s it going to be? And how is it going to solve a problem? How does Virtual Reality solve problems? That’s going to be your question to help you as you create your Challenge proposals.
You’ll need a PC or a Mac, and a GREAT idea! Now that your idea is good, start digging in on the Blender Tutorial. You don’t have to go through the whole thing, if you think you’re getting the hang of it. YouTube also has some great getting started tutorials, if you want to find one of your own.
There are many tutorials for Blender, and some are going to be way more complicated than others. Here’s a couple of links that will get you started, but keep in mind- they move FAST. Don’t forget to pause, rewind, and ASK question when to have them.
Create a Never Ending Room in Blender (subway). This one moves quite fast, but if you pause, you should still be able to follow along. It’s a little more advanced, but the instructor does explain everything very well.
Part 4: Add some basic animation to your room.
This tutorial shows you how to create a basic moving ball. You can certainly get more creative, but this should give you the knowledge to get moving on an animation of your own. What will it be?
Part 5: Export Your 3D Animation to for YouTube:
Part 6: Upload to the Quest STEAM Channel- and test it out!
This is what a final Blender Animation looks like in 3D video:
When you have Google Cardboard, you’ll need to get the app:
Some tips along the way: Take pictures of your final project, and get an instructor to visually check out your project, if you can. Always create a “demo video” of all of your projects. Why? They can be used as evidence of completion. One demo video can be enough evidence to receive numerous badges. Only needs to be about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Earn Your Badges: When you’re done, earn your badge!
Description: This is going to be so exciting! You get to make Google Cardboard. What is Google Cardboard? Google Cardboard is Google’s VR headset. Virtual Reality! We’re going to put all the components together to make one headset. This will take you through some basic laser cutting too (nice).
Small pre-requisite. You must go and get this badge first. You’ll have to create a simple object on the laser cutter first.
Before you create anything, fill out a Challenge Proposal. What problem would your cardboard solve? How can you distinguish yours from others?
Now, you’ve got to go back to a PC with Corel Draw and import these files for printing on the laser cutter. Remember that these are in millimeters. Here are your files. Download this Corel Draw file for use on an Epilog Laser Cutter.
Part 3: Get Ready to Cut
Set the Epilog for corrugated cardboard.
Part 4: Fold it.
This will be tricky.You may need to look at our sample. Gather your rubber band and magnets, and you’re almost ready. This video shows you how to fold it:
Part 5: What next?
When you have Google Cardboard, you’ll need to get the app:
Upload a demo video to the Quest Steam Channel, and talk about how you made this, and what you might use it for.
Discover some 360 degree video here
Some tips along the way: Take pictures of your final project, and get an instructor to visually check out your project, if you can. Always create a “demo video” of all of your projects. Why? They can be used as evidence of completion. One demo video can be enough evidence to receive numerous badges. Only needs to be about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Earn Your Badges: When you’re done, earn your badge!
Description: Now that you have experience programming a robot to complete a simple task using a couple of sensors, it is literally time to take it to the next level. Your project for level 3 is to create an autonomous navigating robot using and Arduino UNO and multiple sensors. You will complete this level in parts.
Part 1 – Arduino Basic Badge: To help you get familiar with Arduino, watch the tutorial below on how to get your Arduino Basic Badge.
Part 2 – The Coding Environment: In the tutorial below you will be taking a look at codebender.cc.
Part 3 – Arduino Tutorials: Check out these cool arduino tutorials by Jeremy Blum which will help you understand the arduino better.
Bump switch with wires soldered.
Part 4 – Building your Bot: Essentially you will be building a robot similar to the one shown in the video below, but with a couple of changes. The robot in the video uses only one sensor which helps it detect something that is in front. You will improve your robot by adding at least 3 bump switches to act as bump sensors so that your robot can “feel” if it is about to crash on its sides or on its back. As for the body, you will design it and have the option to 3D print it or laser cut it.
Butbefore you create anything, fill out a Challenge Proposal. What spin can you put on this robot that solves a problem?
Some tips along the way: Document and take pictures of your progress. Also, not that you are dealing with several components it is key to trouble shoot each part thoroughly before going on to the next. For example, test your motors and and each sensor individually, before testing the sensors and the motors together.
Earn Your Badges: When you’re done, earn your badge!
Estimated time to completion: 15-20 classes (two months).
Description: If you’ve completed Level 1 and 2, you’ve gone through creating a basic zoetrope or flipbook, you’ve created an animation, using a handful of different kinds of animations programs. Now- it’s time to take storytelling to another level: The Cell Phone Movie. The device on our pockets can be a very powerful tool. I’d like you to take a moment (put on some headphones), and watch this film:
Now- keep in mind- this film did not use a spoken script. It did require a soundtrack. Did it need dialogue to convey a story? Part of the problem with cell phones, is that the audio is horrible for creating movies- so this filmmaker, instead, simply used music and text. It’s a strong message.
Where could you take this idea? Think about that.
As always fill out a challenge proposal. Remember that just like any problem, stories have solved LOTS of problems, so what problem will your story tackle?
Step 1: Write a story treatment / script. Create a Google Doc, and write a one-paragraph outline of your story. Stories follow dramatic structure. This is dramatic structure. If your movie is going to have dialogue- write a script. There’s a great ADD ON for Google Docs that helps you do this. Create a new Google. I wrote an example script using this tool. It’s fun- you’re a screenwriter now!
Step 2: Create a Storyboard. All great movies take some planning. You can create a storyboard a number of ways. I’ll outline two. Watch this video as I explain a basic storyboard.
A. Storyboard option #1. Use Showme on the iPad. Like what I did above, you can use the Showme app to create your storyboard. Use stick figures, that’s fine, but every storyboard will have:
Dialogue
Basic action or stage direction (what are the characters doing in this scene?)
Possible camera movement
Shot number (every shot of your movie)
B: Storyboard Option #2: Draw your storyboard using this template. Download this template, and print out a few sheets.
Just like above, you’ll need everything from 1-4 on the above list.
STEP 3: Film your video.
For any video that you’re filming, I suggest using Google Drive to back up your clips. That way you can clear your device and free up storage when you need to. Also- keep in mind- a telltale sign of amateurish video is handheld cameras. Handheld can work as an effect, when it’s necessary, but use a tripod whenever necessary.
That means whatever device you have, you should have the app for iPhone or for Android. Want to use an iPad? That’s okay- but keep in mind- the camera quality is better on the new smaller devices like iPhone or Android.
You’ll need actors!
Depending on your story, you’ll need people. You’ll want to ensure that those people are consistent in the story- so you’ll want to make sure that they wear the same outfits in the same scene. Little mistakes like this can ruin a movie. If you plan things right- perhaps you’ll only need the actor for one day- and this won’t be anything to worry about. The Mankind is No Island movie didn’t have to worry about this because it didn’t use actors in traditional scenes.
4. Assemble your film (edit). Using one of the Macbooks in the classroom, use iMovie to import your video and edit. If you saved it to Google Drive, you’ll have to download all of it. This should be a fine editing tool for this movie. Add Title Cards, credits at the end, and use text overlays where you see fit. Keep in mind- iMovie titles and text are very noticeable to the seasoned media person. If you can use title cards that were made from scratch- or from say Google Drawings- your movie will have a better quality. Also- don’t ever use the iMovie music. If you want music, you can find royalty free music on iTunes. Talk to your instructor.
Notes: Remember that you want this movie to speak to the largest audience possible. Gear your movie to a wide audience.
Some tips along the way: Upload your final video to a YouTube Channel (like this one). They can be used as evidence of completion. One demo video can be enough evidence to receive numerous badges. Length needs to be long enough to communicate your idea.
Earn Your Badges: When you’re done, earn your badge!
