*This will take you to Mr. Wees website: http://teacherwee.weebly.

com/

Robotics C
Mr. Michael David Wee Room P 2013-2014 mwee@mitacademy.org

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians, Welcome to MIT Academy! We hope that all of you have had a refreshing summer!

Welcome back robotics students to the robotics program. I am pleased to be able to continue as your guide through the endless possibilities and adventures of robotics. Robotics C is the third in a series of four classes designed to introduce students to programming with the eventual goal that students will complete AP Computer Science. Robotics C is not a traditional programming course. Through the building and programing of robots students will develop their skills and content knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)! Another exciting fact: we have new kits that are made of metal! Outlined below are the specific course expectations:

Course Goals
In order for students to be competitive in todays economy, students must be proficient in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Robotics is a highly cross-disciplinary course! Do not be surprised to find lessons and assignments that use math and science Ethics: Technology raises many ethical questions: Should robots have rights? Do you think the development of new technologies, and their implementation, is inevitable? What, if anything, should we as a society do for those people who lose their jobs? If you could have a robot that would do any task you like, a companion to do all the work that you prefer not to, would you? And if so, how do you think this might affect you as a person? Are there any kind of robots that shouldn't be created? Or that you wouldn't want to see created? Why? Collaboration: All groups will be assigned by the instructor. Groups will be designed to challenge students to work together and to rely on one another. Entrepreneurship/ Research skills: Students, in groups, will research, build a prototype and prepare a presentation for a robot. Students, individually, will prepare a research paper on a topic in robotics.

STEM:

Course Content
Please visit http://teacherwee.weebly.com/ for specific course content Basics of engineering and programming Your will relearn to engineer robots that move forward, turn and interact with the environment. However, now we will work with screws and nuts, red and black wires, metal that supports real weight and voltages that can sting.
In Robotics A and B we learned to program with simple block-based coding. You have now graduated to a C-based programming language. This is significantly more complicated but worth it: people with these skills typically make six-figure salaries. Plus you can do some pretty cool things.

Challenge projects: open-ended projects that require students to solve engineering and
programming problems Current events: We read approximately one article per week dealing with current events that pertain to robots.

Course Grade
Grading Policy Projects: 30% of the grade Tests and Quizzes: 20% of the grade Journal: 30% of the grade Participation: 20% of the grade A = 90% to 100%; B = 80% to 89%; C = 70% to 79%; F = 69% and below

Policies and Procedures

Homework, late work, and make up work Homework is due on the due date Late work will receive a deduction of up to fifty percent Extensions for all projects are available at the discretion of Mr. Wee Materials and supplies needed by students Three ring binder for engineering journal worksheets, project notes, lecture notes, current events and handouts. A section in a larger binder is acceptable but not desirable; bring this to every class! Classroom Rules Respect the robotics equipment Respect your classmates and especially your teammates! Respect Mr. Wee: Listen carefully and follow all instructions Please no food: we do not want anyone to accidentally eat a lego This robotics course is designed to introduce students to programming in a programming language with the same structural and logical components as the language used in AP Computer Science. Students will be expected to be very self-motivated and to work through the curriculum at their own pace; though I will help doddling groups to set goals. Please do not get frustrated when something does not work!!! Programming is a difficult discipline; even Mr. Wee struggled with his AP Computer Science in high school! Failure is an essential part of programming and engineering processes and, moreover, the journey of learning. This is going to be a very full year and our goal will be to make it fun and rewarding! Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for taking the time to be involved in your childs education. I am looking forward to a very exciting year. Sincerely, Michael Wee 707-552-6482 ext. 309 mwee@mitacademy.org Room P