1. Practical Applications
Checkout Scanner
Julia Cheaves, Hannah Filling, Megan McCormick, Kenzie Winther
Introduction
Why?
Practical Applications
Problem Solving:
Even though basic instructions were given, creating a successful robot requires creativity and trouble shooting.
It is important to pay attention to details. For example, the scanner for our robot is a color scanner so we had to adjust the pieces we first made to make sure they would align with the scanner. Since the sensor is looking for a contrast in color we had to make sure to have different colors on the bottom of our items to scan.
Engages both genders:
Boys: This project creates an appealing hands on environment. They get to move around and work with technology which they tend to enjoy.
Girls: The check-out scanner incorporates an activity that girls are familiar with, making it more entertaining to work with robotics. To ensure that boys do not over power the girls in this activity, the groups will be divided by gender.
Deeper Understanding:
Technological functions
Programing
Intricate building
Economics
Meaning behind barcode
Lego Mindstorms is a tool that combines the fun of building and creativity with real life application of math and science.
ETES promotes STEM education at an elementary level. This class allows students to use the engineering process by following a plan to create a functioning model.
The checkout scanner allows students to practice important life skills through a deeper understanding of math and science.
Students will practice mental math
Math concepts are reiterated- mode, median, and mean.
Budgeting skills
Our robot scanner and the items to be scanned.
Reflection
This activity would be good for students in the upper grade levels of elementary school.
They would enjoy building the robot and would do well with the step by step instructional picture guide.
Before introducing the activity to the class; run through the process yourself to find out where the students might run into problems.
We ran into problems with ensuring that we used the right parts. We did not think that color mattered but we found out that if we did not use a specific color our robot would not work properly.
It would be smart to walk through the programing software so the students could see exactly what steps to take.
Overall, this is an engaging and eccentric activity.
Looking at the price of scanned items.
Objectives
Students will…
Demonstrate an understanding of the engineering process: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, and Improve.
Show skill in the programing process.
Be able to incorporate varying math concepts and abilities.
Be able to work well within group settings.
References
This graph shows the data collected when scanning the “tires” item on the scanner. When we scanned the item, the scanner retrieved this data and we were able plot it on a graph.