Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy

Use educational affordances of robotics to create CS-STEM opportunities for all learners

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Robotics Academy Certified Training for the Arduino (Parallax Shieldbot, On-site)

In this 5-day face-to-face teacher training, you will work with the world leaders in robotics education to learn how to teach using the Arduino with the Parallax Shieldbot. Tuition includes a free Shieldbot from Parallax and access to CS2N and Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Training Materials. 

Register with Credit Card > Register with Purchase Order >

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 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. Upon completion of the training, participants will receive a certificate of completion stating 36 professional development hours in areas including robotics and coding. 

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.

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Curtis provided very detailed and easy to understand instructions, everything was excellent.

Syllabus

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

All participants will be provided with a FREE take-home Parallax Shieldbot.

Robot Shield with Arduino
https://www.parallax.com/product/32335 

Pixy2 (CMUcam5)
https://pixycam.com/buy/

 

Tuition Cost - $1099

Tuition includes 5 days of on-site training and use of Robotic Academy’s computers, robot kits, curriculum, and programming software during the week. You do not need to purchase any hardware or software for this course. Lunch is provided as part of tuition Monday through Thursday.

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

Class Eligibility

Classes at the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy are available to individuals who are at least 18 years of age to enroll. 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 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 and payment for the course. Please email if you have questions about the content of the course.

Refunds

The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy will offer partial refunds for tuition expenses only if class registrants contact us prior to the class filling up. To be fair to the registrants in the sessions, we cannot give refunds once a class is full.

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.

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.