Robotics: Smart Machines - Tracks & Treads

Robotics: Smart Machines - Tracks & TreadsHIGHLIGHTS: This kit gives kids a simple, fun, and customizable introduction to robotics. Build and program your own robots using the kits 197 building pieces. Kids code the programs using an easy, visual programming app on a tablet or smartphone. A 60 page, step by step illustrated manual helps kids assemble all of the models and teaches them about robotics. PRODUCT DETAILS: Robotics: Smart Machines Tracks & Treads The latest installment in the award

HIGHLIGHTS:

• This kit gives kids a simple, fun, and customizable introduction to robotics.



• Build and program your own robots using the kit’s 197 building pieces.



• Kids code the programs using an easy, visual programming app on a tablet or smartphone.



• A 60-page, step-by-step illustrated manual helps kids assemble all of the models and teaches them about robotics.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

Robotics: Smart Machines - Tracks & Treads

The latest installment in the award-winning Robotics: Smart Machines line, this version focuses on motorized machines that make use of continuous tracks, also known as tank treads, to move themselves and other objects around. Models are controlled by programs and an ultrasound sensor, so in addition to constructing the machines, you’ll also learn how to use the included visual programming app on your tablet or smartphone to code the programs yourself. Build a robot with two large continuous tracks that drives around and avoids obstacles in its path. The attentive tracker bot model detects your hand, moves toward it, and follows it around. Construct models of real-world smart machines, like a conveyor belt robot that carries small objects and an escalator model that carries objects up to another level. You can also assemble other fun robots including a dozer bot with a bulldozer attachment on its front end and a fire rescue robot that drives its ladder up close to other objects. Once you understand how the technology works, you can build your own robots using the kit’s 197 building pieces and create your own programs in the programming app, which is available on iOS and Android devices (tablet or smartphone required, not included).

Meet Sammy. This cute little peanut butter and jelly sandwich is actually a robot that teaches coding principles and skills to children in grades K-2. You don’t need a tablet, smartphone, or computer to program this robot; programs are created by simply laying down a sequence of physical code cards. As the robot drives over the code cards, an OID optical scanner on the bottom of the robot reads the code cards one by one and loads the program. Next, place the robot on a grid made of map cards, and the robot runs the program. You can program the robot to move in different directions, activate its output gear, light up its LED, play sounds, and respond to different function cards. The integrated output gear makes it possible to build simple robotic creations with arms or other moving parts that respond according to the program’s instructions.

This robot kit also teaches physical engineering and problem solving skills through a series of building and coding lessons. The 30 lessons are aligned with standards for computer science education developed by the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) and the International Society for Technology (ISTE) Education, as well as courses from Code.org. The lessons progress in complexity through the illustrated manual, allowing the kit to be appropriate for a child as young as four years with help from an adult and as old as eight years. The lessons cover these six key areas in coding: sequencing, loops, events, conditionals, functions, and variables.

In addition to Sammy, there are five other stories, each with a series of model-building and coding challenges and lessons related to it: a mouse moves through a maze to find cheese; a penguin wanders around a zoo; a soccer player moves a ball into the goal; a fire truck puts out a fire; and a factory robot performs tasks in a factory scene. A full-color illustrated manual guides users through the coding lessons and the assembly of the different models.

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