Robotics Academy Certified Training for the Arduino (Parallax Shieldbot, Online)
FREE Parallax Shield-Bot (courtesy of Parallax) when you register for this training! See details below**. THERE are NO REFUNDS ONCE THE SHIELDbOT HAS BEEN SHIPPED
To follow along with this course, you will need access to the Parallax Shieldbot hardware, the Arduino IDE and a Pixy2 camera (Instructions below). Tuition includes online access to CS2N and Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Training Materials.
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This training course is designed for educators who wish to teach robotics and STEM concepts using the Arduino microcontroller. The course offers a range of benefits, including hands-on learning with practical and problem-solving exercises that align with robotics technicians' knowledge, skills, and attitudes. This course is endorsed by the ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacutring) Institute, and allows certified educators to offer SMART Robotics Technician Certifications for Robotics Integration and Software Foundations to their students.
The course is particularly well-suited for teachers and coaches who are new to programming, robotics, and embedded systems and wish to learn these fundamentals as well as the pedagogy associated with STEM concepts. Experienced teachers with programming and robotics backgrounds will also benefit from the course, especially with its focus on the Arduino microcontroller, hands-on practice in troubleshooting student errors, and integration of STEM concepts.
Educators will learn how to leverage our research-based curricula including Robotics Integration with Shieldbot (Arduino), as well as Software Foundations with Shieldbot (Arduino) in their own classrooms. Teachers and coaches may also complete the included certification exam, and in doing so, become an official Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Certified Educator, authorizing them to offer similar rigorous and evidence-based certifications to their students.
Supporting Makerspaces
The course offers significant value to makerspaces looking to expand their offerings. By incorporating the course, makerspaces can provide their members with the opportunity to learn about robotics and STEM concepts in a hands-on, interactive environment. Educators who complete the course can then serve as valuable resources within the makerspace, helping to develop and lead robotics and STEM-related workshops, classes, and projects.
By taking this course, educators can customize their learning to suit their own teaching style and goals. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to connect and network with other educators in the field of robotics and STEM education, share ideas and best practices, and build a supportive community. Ultimately, the course empowers educators to effectively teach robotics and STEM concepts, helping their students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that are essential for success in the 21st-century workforce. By taking this course, educators can make a difference in the lives of their students and prepare them for a bright future.
Session 1: Technology Testbed
- Arduino Platform
- Software
- Simple Arduino Sketches
- Shieldbot & Parallax Board of Education Shield
Session 2: Shieldbot & Open-loop Navigation
- Assembly diagrams
- Subsystems
- Open-loop (timed) movements
- Modifying programs
- Modifying mechanisms
Session 3: Robotic Navigation
- Sensor module: Pixycam
- Sensing vs. Perception
- 2D coordinate systems
- Pseudocoding: Planning programs
- Writing programs
- Self-parking
Session 4/5: Sensors and Signals
- Electricity and signals
- Digital vs. Analog Inputs
- Whisker switches
- Electricity, conductivity, and sensing
- Phototransistor
- Light: Intensity
- Analog signals
- IR detector
- Light: Frequency
- Digital signals
- Checking for interference
- Multi-sensor navigation
The following items are required in order to take this course:
- Parallax Shieldbot with Arduino: https://www.parallax.com/product/32335
** To receive your free Parallax Shieldbot, complete Parallax's Free Robot Claim Form after you register for the training. Please allow at least one week for Parallax to ship your Shieldbot in time for training. International registrants will need to pay for shipping fees. - Pixy2 (CMUcam5): https://www.parallax.com/product/30028 or https://pixycam.com/buy/
- Five 1.5 V AA batteries, not included.
Computer System Requirements
– Windows 7, 8 or 10 / Mac® OSX 10.8 or later– Internet Explorer 9.0 or later / Mozilla Firefox® 18.0 or later / Safari 6 or later
– Adobe Reader 7 or later (Adobe Reader 9 included for PC)
– Two available USB ports for robot and optional headset
– Broadband internet connection
Additional Materials
– Hard, flat, blank surface approximately 4′ x 4′ in size.– Yard, Meter stick, or Tape measure
– Hardcover books (or other objects to act as obstacles)
– Plastic drink container ( or other containers)
– Colored items (to use with pixy2 camera)
Tuition Cost - $599
Use the links to the top/right to register or checkout instantly.Upon Completion
– ACT 48 credits / 36 hours per class (for Pennsylvania teachers only)
– Certificate of Completion of course ‘graduates’ – may be used to apply for Continuing Education hours
Policies
Privacy
We will only use personal information (such as name, mailing address or e-mail address) contained in your registration or correspondence to respond to your questions or provide Robotics Academy updates. If you enter a chat area or post messages, remember that other users may have access to your email address and user name. The Robotics Academy will not share any personal information provided by you with any unauthorized person or company except where the disclosure is required by law or is necessary to comply with legal process.
Certificate of Completion Requirements
To earn the Certification, class attendees must complete all homework assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor and pass the certification exam.
Class Eligibility
Classes at the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy are available to individuals who are at least 18 years of age. The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy reserves the right to restrict, suspend or terminate any student for violation of these policies. In consideration of your involvement with the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy you agree to provide true, accurate and current information about yourself when you register. If you provide any information that is inaccurate or if the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy has reasonable grounds to suspect the information is inaccurate, the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy has the right to terminate your account.
Payment
Purchasing a seat to online classes gives access to one participant only. Resources distributed as part of the class are for use of the participant only. Purchase Orders are also acceptable. Please contact the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy at cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu for information about registering for the course, payment for the course, or if the course will be held. Please email if you have questions about the content of the course.
Internet Access / Bandwidth Fees
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy is not responsible for any internet access or bandwidth fees you incur while taking this class.
International Export Controls
International enrollment is subject to applicable United States export controls and laws.
Refunds
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy will offer partial refunds for tuition expenses only if class registrants contact us prior to the beginning of the first class.
Copyrighted Class Material
All course documents are owned by the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy. These materials may not be reprinted in any form except those specified for instructional purposes. The course documents and presentations may be displayed and printed for personal, non-commercial use only. Only students registered for this course may access this material. The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy makes every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date content. However, we have no liability for the accuracy, content, or accessibility of the hyperlinks included with class material.
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy will host materials including live session recordings and presentations for up to one year from the completion of the course. Participants are expected to download these materials for their long-term reference.
Use of Student Material
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy reserves the right to use coursework done by students for the purpose of advancing the educational mission of the Academy. When this occurs, students will be given the option to have their name credited to the material. This includes, but is not limited to, text, graphics, multimedia and other material created as part of the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy online course assignments.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy harmless from any and all losses, actions, controversies, suits, demands, claims, liabilities or any causes of action whatsoever. You expressly agree that the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy is not responsible or liable for any infringement of another’s rights, including intellectual property rights.
Note: Policies are subjected to occasional revisions.