Computer Science 24
Studica Robot Build
The high school computer science team is diving into an exciting hands-on project, utilizing the Studica Robotics Classroom Kit to build and program a robot from the ground up. This kit includes a variety of components such as a Raspberry Pi board, motor controllers, motors, sensors, and an array of gear systems—giving students the opportunity to explore both hardware assembly and software development.
To bring their robot to life, students are using the Java programming language. They're writing their code in Visual Studio Code, a versatile programming environment commonly used by developers. By learning Java through real-world application, students are developing not only programming skills but also critical thinking and problem-solving abilities essential for robotics.
To master Java, the students are supplementing their project work with structured lessons from the Computer Science A curriculum on Code.org. This curriculum provides them with a solid foundation in object-oriented programming concepts, including variables, control flow, and data structures. As they work through these lessons, students gain the knowledge they need to apply Java to their robotics project, gradually progressing from basic programming tasks to more complex functions needed to operate their robot.
The project has started with a strong focus on hardware assembly, ensuring all components are properly connected and mounted. The team is currently resolving some technical challenges with mounting, but once the hardware is set, they will shift their focus to the software aspect of the project. The students are excited to soon begin programming the robot's movements and interactions, applying their newly acquired Java skills to make the robot functional and responsive.
This project not only helps students learn essential programming and robotics skills but also provides them with the experience of integrating software and hardware in a meaningful way. Through this initiative, the team is preparing for future challenges in technology and engineering, combining theory with hands-on practice to create a fully operational robot.
Robot Project Update:
Driving, Claw Installation, and New Challenges Ahead!
Robot Project Update: Driving, Claw Installation, and New Challenges Ahead!
Our high school computer science team has reached an exciting milestone—our robot is up and running! After many hours of hard work and troubleshooting, we successfully completed the initial build and programming, and it’s now driving smoothly. It’s been a thrilling experience to see our efforts come to life, and we’re having a blast driving the robot around.
Programming the robot in Visual Studio Code presented some challenges, but we persevered, and it’s rewarding to see how much we’ve learned in the process. Now that the basic functions are complete, we’re moving on to the next phase: attaching a claw to the top of the robot. This addition will take our project to the next level, allowing us to pick up and interact with objects.
Our next steps include programming the claw to work seamlessly with the rest of the robot, which means more coding in Java and fine-tuning the movements. We’re also diving into programming new autonomous routines, giving our robot the ability to perform tasks on its own.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance our robot's capabilities and push our programming skills even further!
