Monday, June 3, 2019

Organizing Your VEX Kits


To Organize your VEX Kits:

Step 1) Disassemble anything and everything (EXCEPT THE 2 CLAWS)


DO NOT TAKE APART THE CLAWS 

Step 2) Carefully empty the contents of one of your storage bins onto your desk 

Step 3) Place the empty storage bin slightly beneath your desk and place only the parts that belong in that storage bin, back into the storage bin.

Step 4) Carefully empty the contents of your second storage bins onto your desk 

Step 5) Place that empty storage bin slightly beneath your desk and place only the parts that belong in that storage bin, back into the storage bin

Step 6) Give your teacher your 2 battery packs, any controllers and VEX net keys

Step 7) Go through each compartment in your gray tray making sure that only the parts that are supposed to be there are there.

Step 8) Double check to make sure that the parts are where they belong and have your teacher sign off on your completion.
                               

Kit 1 - the metal parts and the gray tray


If this video does not load, watch it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/rn9J7-2P9Rw


If this video does not load, watch it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/kitrjGAvhNs

Kit 2 - the plastic parts and the electronics


If this video does not load, watch it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ulLF9GxAaUc

Monday, May 6, 2019

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is Sunday May 12th in the U.S. and Monday May 13th in Latin American countries.  If you finish up all other work for my class and would like to do something nice for your mom, moms, or mothering people in your life, please try the following project: 

YOUR REGULAR CLASSWORK MUST BE FINISHED FIRST

Step 1) Open Inventor and create a new part
Step 2) While that is opening, go online and find an image of a “Coloring Book Heart” use the snipping tool to save it somewhere that you will remember for use in a few steps.
Step 3) Once your part opens, create a 2d Sketch in the XY plane.
a) Use the Text tool to type your mother’s name.You will want to use a script font 1” high - Script MT Bold is one of the favorites.
b) If the first letter is not attached create two separate images, one with the the first letter, one with the rest of the name.
c) Act like you are going to draw a rectangle around your mom’s name, but just to get the length of the name, then hit Escape.
d) Finish that sketch
Step 4) Extrude each part of your mom’s name the length you found in Step 3c.
Step 5) Inside the Browser, click the little plus sign to the left of Origin to open up your planes.  Create a work plane inside the XZ plane offset by -1”.
Step 6)  Right click on the words Work Plane and select New Sketch
a) Using the Rectangle tool, draw a square around the entire work plane
b) Using the Image tool, bring in the heart shape you saved in Step 2
c) Resize the heart shape and get it positioned so that it covers all your mom’s name, but stays inside the square you drew in Step 6a.
d) Using Arc and Line tools, trace around the outside of the heart making sure all connecting points are green dots before you move on to the next one.  Any glitches here will prevent your extrusion in the next step and will lead to a lot more work on your part.
e) Make a triangle shape at the bottom to form a base / stand for the heart.
f) Finish the sketch
Step 7) Use Extrude “Cut” to remove all of the material outside of the heart shape.
At this point if the extrusion does not work cleanly, you will need to go back into the sketch from step 6 and edit the sketch so that it will cut correctly.

Step 8) Optional - Create a Work Plane on the side of the shape and give it a teardrop shape

Step 9) Export > CAD Format > change the .DWG to be .STL and save it into your documents

Step 10) Drag that blank white .STL file to a flash drive and eject the flash drive before giving it to your teacher.





If the video above fails to load, try watching it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/94Ymj6p1YGI 

Monday, April 29, 2019

2.3.4 Martian Automation Projects

For the lesson over the next weeks, you are going to use your VEX kits to build and RobotC to program robots


Step 1) Open the worksheet for 2.3.4MartianAutomation@.  Read it all of the way through and make a copy into your GTT Turn in Folder to be turned in at the end of this project.  

Step 2) Watch the video below for an overview of what you will be doing then decide which robot your team is going to build first. 

Step 3) Using your VEX kits and working with your partner, you will build a solution to each of 10 tasks in any order you would like.  Each time you think you have finished, test to make sure it meets all requirements, then call your teacher over for final approval.  The Mechanical Engineer will record an image of the robot, The Computer Engineer will record an image of the program and the Electrical Engineer will explain everything your group did to your teacher. 


Sunday, April 21, 2019

2.2.4 Pull Toy Construction

Step 1) Make a copy of 2.2.4 Pull Toy Construction into your GTT Turn in Folder. 

Step 2) This week, you and your partner will need to build a mechanism that takes the rotation of the wheels and converts that mechanical energy into another form to make an entertaining pull toy.  Step by step instructions will not be given, you are to work as a team to create an original design and will be graded using the Pull Toy Construction Rubric

Step 3) Each team member is required to do 3 rough sketches of what they would like the pull toy to look like.  You will then describe your ideas to your team and as a group, evaluate each idea based on the criteria your class comes up with.

Step 4) Once you decide upon the "best" design, you will then build and test your design as a team.  The color printer is available for any decorations that may be needed for your final product.

Introduction to the Pull Toy Project
Sorry - Layla is now a year old but in the video I say that she has not yet been born - I have not yet had a chance to redo this video correctly.  
 

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

2.2.2 Mechanical Gears

Step 1) Make a copy of 2.2.2 Mechanical Gears into your GTT Turn in Folder. 

Step 2) For each set of questions, you will need to build a mechanism similar to the one shown in the picture.  Step by step instructions for each build will not be given, so do the best you can based on the image provided. 

Step 3) Experiment with each build and answer the questions for that build before taking it apart 

Step 4) The videos below show you how basic VEX parts work together and how to build the base platform but will not give you step by step build instructions for the mechanisms you are exploring.

VEX screw sizes and how they are used


VEX metal parts and how they are used


Building the Base Plate




Monday, April 8, 2019

2.2.1 Observing Mechanisms

Step 1) Make a copy of 2.2.1 Observing Mechanisms into your GTT Turn in Folder. 

Step 2) You will need to read the worksheet to answer the questions, the video below just shows you examples of mechanisms that I found.

Step 3) Watch the video below or look up "mechanisms videos" using a search engine like YouTube to see videos of mechanisms similar to those in the conclusion questions of your worksheet.

Step 4) Answer the conclusion questions and turn in your worksheet online using Canvas.





Sunday, April 7, 2019

6.1.7 Electricity - Review

Before we move on to the next section, we must first make sure that you understand the basics of electricity - 

To do this I need you to watch a video called 
"Electricity - The Invisible River of Energy"  - now, it says the copyright for this was from 1999, but some of the images shown were definitely from way before then. While watching and listening for the answers to the worksheet for today, see if you can find any references to really old technologies. 

Step 1 - Open 6.1.7 Electricity DVD and make a copy into your GTT Turn in Folder to be turned in before the end of class on Friday

Step 2 - Go to  http://mrjsroom.blogspot.com/p/electricity.html and you will find the DVD broken up into little pieces that should make it easier to find the answers you need. 

Step 3 - Fill in the answers as you watch and listen to the video - double check that all of your answers are correct before submitting the worksheet for grading.

Monday, April 1, 2019

6.2.6 Soldering

Yay! no paperwork for this one - just a printed circuit board which you get to take home with you when you are done.  Please be careful not to lose any pieces - they are small and tend to disappear when they hit the carpet.

Please watch the following video on soldering basics and safety - glasses on at all times

For the lesson today, you are going to strip and solder the ends of two wire, flip it around and help your partner strip and solder the other side.

Step 1) Strip 7-10 mm of insulation to expose the bare metal wire underneath. 

Step 2) Twist the ends together and secure the wires using needle nose pliers or carefully with the diagonal cutters.

Step 3) Use the soldering iron to heat the wires, then apply the solder.  It should be the wires melting the solder, not the soldering iron.

Now it's time to pick your project.


Please watch the following video on soldering printed circuit boards - glasses on at all times

Monday, March 18, 2019

6.1.6 VEX Generators

For the lesson today, you are going to use VEX parts to design and test a hand crank generator

Step1) Open the worksheet for 6.1.6 Generators.  Read it all of the way through and make a copy into your GTT Turn in Folder to be turned in before Friday.  

Your prototype will be graded based on this rubric - please read it all of the way through before starting your build. Design Brief for you to fill in, but it does not need to be turned in.

Step 2) Watch the video below for some building tips that may be useful in your build today.

Step 3) Using the VEX parts from your Basic Kit, and working with your group mates, design and build a prototype for a hand crank generator that will provide a near constant power supply to light your LED.


If the video above fails to load, try watching it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/7Zg2C6FoAa0 

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

VEX Gear Exploration

If you are done with programming your Testbed, it is important that you understand the way gears work inside of your VEX kit.  The best way for you to figure this out is through experimentation.  Try different combinations of 2 and 3 gear, simple gear trains to see what you can find out.

Gears inside a VEX kit
If the video above fails to load, try watching it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/9MAn56AHx3w

Adding Gears to your Testbed

If the video above fails to load, try watching it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/n8Kjaf1tdJc

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

GTT Testbed Programming Instructions

If you are from outside our district, requesting access does not work.  All of my files are set to "shared" with anyone whom has the link, the videos are being blocked at the district level on both sides.  If you have your teacher email me at cjohnson10@sandi.net, I will gladly share all of my files. PLEASE do not "request access" it does not do any good.

RobotC Intro - Part 1 - Getting Started

To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/yVuhOIvt6o4

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
    Set up RobotC to use the VEX 2.0 Cortex using Natural Language PLTW
    Set the Compiler Target and Download the Firmware to your VEX Cortex


RobotC Intro - Part 2 - Motor and Sensor Setup

To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/cbQIB2w1UBs

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
    Open a PLTW Template and save it as VEX Tested Practice XX
    Use pseudocode to annotate your programs
    Set up the GTT Testbed Configuration and apply the motor and sensors 


RobotC Intro - Part 3 - Programming Motors

To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/PPpqXp4fQ-8

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
    Set up a motor with a start function, wait function and stop function for it to work

On your own, you are challenged to:
     Figure out how to turn on the right motor, left motor and claw motor (forward and reverse)


RobotC Intro - Part 4 - Naming Motors and Turns

To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/bEUmfTC_VCA

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
    Rename code in a program so you use the proper name instead of the port number
    Make your robot do a point turn and how to fix your robot from turning 

On your own, you are challenged to:
     Use the untilBump function to start your program
     also not mentioned in the video, use the untilBump function to stop your program


RobotC Intro - Part 5 - Potentiometer and Limit Switch (for summer camps we will skip the potentiometer - but the Limit Switch is very useful)

To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/EHToqO9_oNE

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
    The potentiometer works

On your own, you are challenged to:
    Use the untilPotentiometerLessThan function to turn left
    Use the untilPotentiometerGreaterThan function to turn right
    Use the untilTouch function along with the limit switch to make the robot go in reverse


RobotC Intro - Part 6 - Solution to Potentiometer (Again - for summer camps we will skip the potentiometer - but the Limit Switch is very useful)

To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/_RJRtavYHuo

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
    What the solution to the potentiometer looks like

On your own, you are challenged to turn on an LED after the limit switch is touched


RobotC Intro - Part 7 - Line Tracker (for summer camps we will skip the line tracker - this is left here as a resource to others out there working with VEX and RobotC)

To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/xdB6MYIAt7k

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
    That it is important to always compile the program and download it to the Cortex 
    That unless you tell the LED to turn off, it will stay on until the battery goes dead

On your own, you are challenged to add a line sensor to shut down the program


RobotC Intro - Part 8 - Last

To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Z8rrWEZW7Wg


Yearbook Survey

https://goo.gl/forms/J2TKhkQmpHAjwtWu1 

Sunday, March 3, 2019

GTT Testbed Build Instructions

If you are from outside our district, requesting access does not work.  All of my files are set to "shared" with anyone whom has the link, the videos are being blocked at the district level on both sides.  If you have your teacher email me at cjohnson10@sandi.net, I will gladly share all of my files. PLEASE do not "request access" it does not do any good.

For the PDF instructions - Please Click Here


VEX Testbed 01 Cortex


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/0xFXPNxHH1A

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Attach the Vex Cortex to your base plate using four 3/4" screws and KEPS nuts

VEX Testbed 02 Bumpswitch


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/N-vioX8O6_U

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Attach the bump switch to your base plate using two 1/2" screws and KEPS nuts
     Please keep all twist ties during your build to keep the wires from getting in the way

VEX Testbed 03 Limitswitch 


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/S1FjVZINoq4

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Attach the limit switch to your base plate using two 1/2" screws and KEPS nuts
     Tighten up the screws by hand just tight enough so they are still able to be slid back and forth.

VEX Testbed 04 Line Tracker (for summer camps we will skip the line tracker - I left these instructions here for others to use)


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/ecoT8h3MfRk

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Attach the line tracker to your base plate using one 1/2" screw and a KEPS nut

VEX Testbed 05 Potentiometer (for summer camps we will skip the potentiometer - I left these instructions here for others to use)


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/QRFJE2Wi53Q

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Attach the potentiometer to your base plate using two 3/4" screws and KEPS nuts

VEX Testbed 06 Potentiometer Gear and Axle (for summer camps we will skip the potentiometer - I left these instructions here for others to use)


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/9BwxKC1o7UI

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Attach a 2" axle, 36 -tooth gear and a drive collar to your potentiometer



VEX Testbed 07 Battery Strap 
(Please skip this step, it is not needed as your Testbed does not move)


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/lUngQW8ILqg

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Attach the battery strap to your base plate using two 1/2" screws and KEPS nuts

VEX Testbed 08 Rail


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/8g3pCIWJSsI

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Attach flat bearings to the slotted angle piece using two 3/4" screws and KEPS nuts each

VEX Testbed 09 Motor Assemblies


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/E1hcyZ4dzgY

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Attach two motors to the rail you just built using a 1/4" motor screw and a 1/2" motor screw, slide it into the correct position so that it fits under the rail and then tighten everything up with tools.
     *** This uses different screws than those shown in the pdf instructions ***

VEX Testbed 10 Wheels


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Ato9Z_78AH4

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Attach two wheels without using any drive collars 
     *** This is different from the pdf instructions ***

VEX Testbed 11 Clawmotor - (this should already be built for you - please do not disassemble your claw - if your claw has the angled gussets, please leave the angled pieces attached to the claw. We will use that one on the Clawbot later)


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/WC4GUBw69Co

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
     Add a motor to a claw and make your motor open and close.  
     You may need to wiggle open the claw to get the axle to slide into place.
   *** This is a different order of assembly from the pdf instructions ***

VEX Testbed 12 Stand offs


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/0e81QgsZi9Y

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
    Attach two 2" standoffs to the base plate using two 1/2" screws from underneath

VEX Testbed 13 Attach Rail


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/LVN2b4qyTaA

By the end of this video you should know how to:     
    Attach the rail to the two 2" standoffs you just added built using two 1/2" screws. 
    Then go back through the entire build to line up the components and tighten all screws

VEX Testbed 14 Electronics Hookups


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/QpioECHcEXc

By the end of this video you should know:     
    The difference between different components and how to hook up all of the electronics.

VEX Testbed 15 Powering Up


To watch this on YouTube - https://youtu.be/H-w9EQ3YCcU

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

6.1.5b DC Motor Modifications

If you are having trouble with your DC Motor, here are some modifications you might want to try to get it to work: 

1) Level the arms.  Take the 2 1/2 in. copper pieces and make sure they are at the same height
2) Straighten the ears.  Make sure the ears on your armature loop are directly opposite of each other, centered and straight.
3) Sand the ears.  To make the commutator, one ear of the armature loop needs to be sanded all of the way around, while the other is only sanded on one side.
4) Sand the arms.  Make sure the contact point inside the loop of the arm and where the alligator leads connect are sanded until you can see the copper underneath the insulation.

If those do not work, try spinning the armature the other direction, switch the sides the ears of the armature loop are facing, OR switch the positive and negative leads.


If the video above fails to load, try to watch it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/cj6--ZO5Ngo 

Monday, February 25, 2019

Citizenship Self Assessment

Today in class, everyone will be filling out a Citizenship Self Assessment.  We will be going over the instructions as a group but each student will fill out the Google Sheet as an individual.  

While you are waiting for everyone else to get logged in, please make a copy of this Citizenship Rubric into your Google Drive.  It does not have to be put into your GTT Turn in Folder as you will not be turning it in.  It is simply a reference for you to use so that you can keep improving your citizenship grade in this class. 

Sunday, February 24, 2019

6.1.5 DC Motor Construction

For today's lesson:
Step 1) Watch the video below about the lab we are going to do today
Step 2) Open up the worksheet - 6.1.5 DC Motor Construction and make a copy into your GTT Turn in folder.
Step 3) Follow the directions written in the worksheet and answer the questions as you go.
Step 4) Submit your completed worksheet into Canvas for grading before the end of class Friday.
Every student makes one of these to take home.

if the video above fails to launch, try to watch it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/vwrdqDmnSwQ 

Step by step instruction video


If the video above fails to load, try watching it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/8DXNPM5b_AA

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

6.1.4 Electricity and Magnetism

For today's lesson:
Step 1) Watch the video below about the lab we are going to do today
Step 2) Open up the worksheet - 6.1.4 Electricity and Magnetism and make a copy into your GTT Turn in folder.
Step 3) Follow the directions written in the worksheet and answer the questions as you go.
Step 4) Submit your completed worksheet into Canvas for grading before the end of class Friday
If that video fails to load, watch it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/pMEmuBmcZl0

Step by step instruction video

If that video fails to load, watch it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/PABZIyFTIVY

Monday, February 11, 2019

6.1.3 Static vs. Current Electricity

For today's lesson:
Step 1) Watch the video below about the lab we are going to do today
Step 2) Open up the worksheet - 6.1.3 Static and Current Electricity and make a copy into your GTT Turn in folder.
Step 3) Follow the directions written in the worksheet and answer the questions as you go.
Step 4) Submit your completed worksheet into Canvas for grading before the end of class Friday
 If that video does not play, try watching it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/GYeoddxGXYU

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

6.1.2 Conductivity

For today's lesson:
Step 1) Watch the video below on 
how to use a multi-meter.
Step 2) Open up the worksheet -  6.1.2 Conductivity and make a copy into your GTT Turn in folder.
Step 3) Use one of the two methods shown in the video to measure continuity of different materials to determine if they conduct or not, as described in the worksheet.
Step 4) Submit your completed worksheet into Canvas for grading



If that video does not play, try watching it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/YAjiVHLAK7I 

Monday, February 4, 2019

6.1.1 Atomic Structure and Electricity

For today's lesson:
Step 1) Watch the video below and take notes on atomic structure and electricity.  These notes may be used throughout this section to help with daily assignments
Step 2) Open up the worksheet - 6.1.1 Atomic Structure and Electricity and make a copy into your GTT Turn in folder.
Step 3) For Question 1 when asked to Draw an Atom, put your cursor right after the question. You will then need to select "insert" from the tabs along the top and then "drawing" from the drop down menu. When done with your drawing, click on "save and close" and it will add the drawing to your worksheet.
Step 4) Continue to answer questions using your notes until you are done.
Step 5) Submit your completed worksheet into Canvas for grading

If that video does not play, try watching it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/jbL5vE3llWc 

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Garden Party Project

Garden Party Project - 
Individual Project - Research what already exists before creating a solution of your own for the following:
1) Create signs / sticks that will identify the plants that are growing.  That way when the garden looks just like a box of dirt, you can see what will be popping up in a few days.
2) Create 3d representations of helpful insects - the more cartoonish the better.  Real looking fake bugs might not be as welcoming as we would want.
3)Create signs that show the benefits of each plant that is growing, or the helpful insects that you might find in the garden.  
4) Research garden pests and create devices to scare them away.

You may build upon ideas that already exist or combine features from several to be your one solution, but the final solution must be your own original work not just a copy of work that already exists.

For information on how to use the machines in the room, please check out the links along the right hand side of the screen.