Build your robot
We are an educational project born from a unique fablab in the South of Portugal (www.buinho.pt). We have been actively promoting the growth of digital literacy in our region since 2015, and have become one of the main references in our field of action. Buinho currently coordinates an Erasmus consortium (PT01-KA121-SCH-000010598) dedicated to the mission of increasing the digital proficiency in all public schools of the neighbouring municipalities, mostly in the fields of coding and robotics.
The main motivations for designing this course were to share some of our extensive experience in the teaching of robotics in public schools, explore creative practices that also incentivize the learning of coding, and provide support to teachers in starting innovative practices in their schools even if having a limited budget.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
By taking this course you will learn how to teach robotics and introduce coding in your classroom.
All the tools will be provided, we just ask the participants to bring a laptop as it will be needed for the software training. We will also provide free and lifetime access to our online tutorials in a dedicated eLearning platform to help you implement the learning activities. This course is meant for teachers from different teaching years (3rd to 12th-grade teachers), with limited or no previous experience in robotics and visual coding, and that aim to become proficient and autonomous in digital skills. In Portugal, Buinho has been successfully teaching robotics to children from elementary to secondary school years, and we want to share some of our experiences with you.
We have vast experience in teaching and capacitating teachers from different school years and with zero experience in these subjects. At the end of this course the participant will be able to be proficient in two of the most popular microcontrollers for education (Micro:bit and Arduino), master, not one but two important visual programming languages (Makecode and Makeblock), be able to assemble and create its educational robots and develop activities in the classroom for their students, and implement STEAM and digital active learning methodologies in the classroom with their students. And more importantly, we will teach you how to create your own low-cost Otto Robot, an open source robot that is helping to democratize the access of robotics to all the school’s communities in Europe
All our courses are made in a fablab/makerspace environment, which means that the participants will be granted free access to other digital prototyping equipment like laser cutters or vinyl cutters, which can be helpful for the customization of the machines – Inside a fablab, the only limit is your imagination!
Finally, the course also includes a cultural program free for the participant, providing the opportunity to visit Portuguese landmarks and experience a bit of our Culture.
Target Groups – Elementary, Middle and Secondary School teachers
Duration of the course – Five days
Total Cost of the Course – 400€
Note: Each class will have a maximum of 12 participants to provide higher quality standards and more individualized support.
Timetable
Day 1
9:00 – 11:00
Welcome session and introduction
We will receive the participants in the working space, making a short introduction to Buinho’s experience in the educational field. We will also dedicate some time to getting to know the participants but also their sending schools.
11:00 – 12:00
Introduction to Robotics in Education
In this presentation we will cover some of the main topics regarding the teaching of Robotics in the classroom. We will present the different solutions and establish a comparison. We will also point out strategies and identify methodologies for the teaching of robotics to different age groups of students
13:00 – 15:00
Introduction to Virtual Robotics
In the afternoon, we will present some of the most interesting robotic simulators for Education. You will learn how to use the free platform VEX to program and operate a Robot in a virtual environment. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and make a small group project.
Day 2
8:30 – 9:00
Gathering
Every morning we will gather at the makerspace and serve some morning coffee to the participants
9:00 – 12:00
Introduction to Makeblock and Mbot
In this session, we will distribute Mbot robots for each participant and spend the whole morning developing practical activities and exercises with these robots. You will learn on how to use the Mbot, but also on how to program it using the Makeblock platform. We will teach about sensors and motion control, how to create games and experiments, and how to teach Math, Geometry, Engineering, among other subjects by the use of exercises and projects with the Mbot.
13:00 – 15:00
Introduction to Microbit and Makecode
In the afternoon, a set of challenges and tasks will be given to the participants, which in groups will have the opportunity to practice what they have learned. We will help you to establish goals and set dynamics with your students in the classroom, and make good use of the Mbot for the teaching of Robotics and Coding, but also STEAM.
Day 3
9:00 – 18:00
Cultural Day
We are presenting the opportunity for a group visit to Sintra as part of our cultural offering. Sintra is a charming Portuguese town situated within the cooling hills of the Serra de Sintra. Hidden among its majestic pine forest, you will discover whimsical palaces, extravagant villas and the ruins of a 10th-century Moorish castle. We will visit this UNESCO Heritage town, including its Museum and some of the most famous pastry shops. In the afternoon, we will continue with sightseeing and provide plenty of shopping opportunities. At the end of the day, we will return to our accommodation for dinner.
Day 4
8:30 – 9:00
Gathering and breakfast
Every morning we will offer morning breakfast to the participants in the working space.
9:00 – 12:00
STEAM education with low cost robotics – Micro:bit and the Otto BotOtto bot is one of the most friendly and funny to have a DIY robot that exists. A highly popular open-source robot that you can make, program, and design together with your students. For this version, we substituted the Arduino for the micro:bit as the microcontroller to make its use easier and more accessible.
Micro:bit is possibly the most popular microcontroller in schools today. Its main advantages are ease of use, low price, and powerful capabilities which make it a very complete and attractive solution to introduce robotics in classrooms today.
In this session you will not only be able enrich your experience with the use of the Otto bot but you will be introduced to Micro:bits for external devices in an easy and fun way!
13:00 – 15:00
Group projects with the Otto Bot
In the afternoon participants will give continuation to practical learning started in the morning session, and working in pairs will propose and code fun activities to present to the other participants.
Day 5
10:00 – 12:00
Brunch in Carcavelos Beach
Enjoying the best ocean view, and on the largest beach of the Lisbon Metropolitan area, Buinho organized a final morning brunch to commemorate the end of the training. It will also be an opportunity to further discuss, and in an informal environment, the next steps when returning to the school.
Since all of our students will have access to our free online content (which include video tutorials, explanations, activities, and useful work documents), we will also provide the basic information on how to use after this course.
Finally, we will have an opportunity to present other Erasmus courses offered by Buinho, deliver the final certificates to all participants, and take a group photo.