Teaching behavior based robotics through advanced robocamps

Abstract

Through Colorado School of Mines robocamps program, teaching materials presenting behavior based robot concepts were developed and taught to middle and high school aged students. The weeklong workshop goal has been to introduce the difference between traditional, or sequential, programming styles for mobile robots. The topics of what, how, why, and when appropriate situations to implement either control paradigm is covered through hands-on activities. To create reactive agents, students use Brainstem microcontrollers, C language, various sensors, and LEGO materials. Instructional activities lead the students to develop robots that avoid objects, seek a particular goal, and to wander autonomously while allowing particular behaviors to subsume and delegate appropriate robot reactions. Each student's progress is measured through individual journals, qualitative (short answer questions) and quantitative (multiple choice questions) assessments, and oral presentations to parents. Assessment evaluation for this workshop has demonstrated that if presented properly, more advanced concepts in mobile robotics can be learned by students in this age group. A pretest and posttest on fundamental concepts showed significant increase in knowledge of behavioral robotics. In addition, evaluation of answers to essay questions demonstrated a stronger depth of understanding of these topics. It has also been observed that the success of this camp could in part be a result of the high level of motivation and enthusiasm of the students. Future camps will attempt to verify and support the pedagogical developments with a fresh group of students, which are new to the advanced robocamps program.