Learning kitGrades 9-10

Computer science: robotics

Program a robot arm

Learn how robots sense, think and act, drive a six-joint robot arm through a pick-and-place job, take the arm apart to see how its systems work together, plan a familiar task as a flowchart someone acts out, then program the arm to sort two cubes, by recording its moves or writing the code. Ages 14 to 16 or grades 9 to 10.

Time
About 2 hours, in two sittings
Steps
5 steps, 3 of them in Robotic Arm Simulator
You need
A computer or Chromebook with a mouse or trackpad, and a partner for step 4. Building the cardboard arm in step 2 is optional: cardboard, two plastic syringes, tubing, water, glue and craft sticks. No account needed.
Unlock the kit, $5 I have a code

$5 for one learner: every step, the Robotic Arm Simulator activities that check the work, the printable lesson, and the certificate with a page of the learner's own work.

A six-joint robot arm sorting a red cube and a blue cube onto the zones of their colors.

The 5 steps

  1. 1Learn about robotsRead and quizA robot senses, thinks and acts on its own. Industrial robot arms are the most common robots on Earth: millions of them weld, paint, pack and assemble.
  2. 2Build a robot part: robot armIn Robotic Arm SimulatorTake the controls of a six-joint robot arm and do the job most factory arms do all day: pick something up and put it somewhere else.
  3. 3Learn how robot systems work togetherIn Robotic Arm SimulatorA robot is several systems working as one: structure, actuators, sensors, power and a controller. Take the arm apart in the Parts view to see how they fit.
  4. 4Learn about programmingWith othersA program is an algorithm a computer can run. Flowcharts show an algorithm's inputs, decisions and outputs before anyone writes code.
  5. 5Write a program for a robotIn Robotic Arm SimulatorProgram the arm to sort two cubes: the red cube to the red zone and the blue cube to the blue zone, with nobody touching the controls while it runs.

Work on a computer. The apps need a keyboard and a bigger screen than a phone: a laptop, desktop or Chromebook. You can pay here and open the emailed link on the computer.

One learner

Unlock the kit, $5

  • All 5 steps, worked on screen, with a lesson you can print if you like paper
  • Robotic Arm Simulator activities that check the work as it is done
  • A numbered certificate with a page of the learner's own work: your flowchart notes and your robot arm program

We email a link that opens the kit on any computer. No account needed. We keep the email only to send the kit and certificate links: privacy.

Have a discount code?
Co-ops and classes: unlock it for a group

One payment and one code. Each learner types the code to unlock the kit on their own computer, and gets their own certificate at the end. Your pack page shows who has started and finished.

See a sample certificate (PDF) · Already paid? Find your link

Questions

What does the learner do in Program a robot arm?

It has 5 steps: 1. Learn about robots; 2. Build a robot part: robot arm; 3. Learn how robot systems work together; 4. Learn about programming; 5. Write a program for a robot. Learn how robots sense, think and act, drive a six-joint robot arm through a pick-and-place job, take the arm apart to see how its systems work together, plan a familiar task as a flowchart someone acts out, then program the arm to sort two cubes, by recording its moves or writing the code. Ages 14 to 16 or grades 9 to 10.

What age is it for?

Grades 9-10. About 2 hours, in two sittings.

What is needed?

A computer or Chromebook with a mouse or trackpad, and a partner for step 4. Building the cardboard arm in step 2 is optional: cardboard, two plastic syringes, tubing, water, glue and craft sticks. No account needed.

Is there a certificate?

Yes. A numbered certificate with a page of the learner's own work, for your records or a portfolio. It is not course credit.

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