Boonslick Building Club

Trading Cards - round 1

2011-01-26T10:14:00.001-06:00

Programmers got a first look at their new trading cards in our January meeting. Here's a sample:

I used sprites from the Scratch programs for the card icons. Programmers got to choose the background they wanted. Their "type" was based on the kind of program they created. Their Level and 'powers' were based on the skills they used in their programs.

The Programmers were pretty eager to either continue work on their existing programs or to start fresh. I saw some mad skills being used and a lot of learning and experimentation taking place in the 1 1/2 hours of our meeting! They also took some time to choose sprites and backgrounds for their next set of cards. I'm eager to see what they will look like and how many Programmers will move up to the next level. Great work, everyone!

Programming Trading Cards

2010-12-21T18:54:00.000-06:00

Scratch trading cards! As the Programmers learn new Scratch skills and put them into practice, we will keep track of what they are learning to do. They will get points based on how difficult the skill is. The points will determine what "level" their card will be. They will choose between four different "types" of programming types, the background image and sprite, and other information to show on the card. I am basing the card layout loosely on the Pokemon trading cards.

Here are the 55 skills I started with:

Change a sprite's direction by dragging it on the stage (5)
Change a sprite's direction in a script (5)
Choose a sprite (5)
Create a script that switches between costumes (5)
Edit a sprite (5)
Open a program (5)
Save a program (5)
Save a program as a different name (5)
Snap blocks together (5)
Tell about your program in the project notes (5)
Use 8 different blocks in your program (5)
After changing to way a sprite looks, change it back to the original look in a script (10)
Bring the sprite to the middle of the screen by shift-clicking on its thumbnail (10)
Change a sprite's color in the program (10)
Change a sprite's look (besides color) in the program (10)
Change an option in a block (number or drop-down) (10)
Change sprite's name (10)
Change the background (10)
Duplicate a script (10)
Export a screenshot of the scripts area by right-clicking and selecting "Save Picture" (10)
Import a sprite (10)
Make a script that asks a question (10)
Make a sprite say something (10)
Repeat a script forever (10)
Repeat a script the number of times you choose (10)
Send a sprite to an exact spot on the stage (10)
Troubleshoot a script using single-stepping (in the Edit menu) (10)
Make a sprite respond when different keys are pressed (10)
Use the Bounce command to turn a sprite when it touches the edge of the stage (10)
Use the same control to run scripts for different sprites (10)
Ask a question and save the answer (25)
Change the way the pen looks (color, shade, or width) (25)
Create a variable and use it (for example, to keep score) (25)
Export a sprite for someone else to use (25)
Hide a sprite (25)
Make a sprite draw (25)
Revise your program to make it easier to use or to run faster (25)
Show a hidden sprite (25)
Use a random number (25)
Use a Sensing block (25)
Use an "If" block (25)
Use math (Operators) in a block (25)
Use the "If/Else" block to make a choice (25)
Use the "Repeat Until" block (25)
Use the "Wait Until" block (25)
Change a sprite's rotation style (50)
Change an effect based on where you move your mouse (50)
Change an option by using a variable (50)
Make a variable to use in a script (50)
Use the "And" Operator block (50)
Use the "Broadcast" and "Receive" blocks to make one script cause another script to change or run (50)
Use the Timer (50)
Write a script for the stage (50)
Make a list to use in a script (100)
Use a slider (100)

Choose from these TYPES

Artist
Gamemaker
Storyteller
Teacher

To be at this LEVEL, you need this many POINTS
1   - 75
2   - 200
3   -   400
4   - 750
5   - 1000

Some of the background choices:

December 21 (Programmers)

2010-12-21T18:53:00.000-06:00

At our meeting this week, I proposed a new idea for Programmers - Scratch trading cards! Check the next blog post for more details.

I also showed the Programmers the Scratch cards developed by the Scratch team. These are handy flashcards for trying new blocks. There also are some short video tutorials on the website, too. The best way to learn something new, though, is to just try it. Here are some samples of what the Programmers worked on:

Hayden decided to make a game based on Lord of the Rings and is going to use a counter to keep track of how much power is left to his sprites.

I'm not sure what Asa's story will end up being, but after seeing his edits to the sprite, I'm already scared!

Elli put the Scratch cards to good use and started working her way through them one at a time.

Gordon also started a game. He came up with a great script to make his sprite jump.

December 7 (Builders) Gears, Gears, Gears!

2010-12-07T17:57:00.000-06:00

Gears are very useful for building powered contraptions with Legos but it takes some practice trying to get the teeth to sit correctly. We started out with some simple gear trains and experimented from there.

Gordon's device used gears to turn a bucket that dropped "trash" into a dump-bed.

Josh made a crank-powered contraption (on a braced wall - go, Josh!) that turned a Lego monkey's tail.

Here are a couple of good books and links for building with Lego gears:
LEGO Technic Idea Book: Simple Machines
Building Lego Robots for First Lego League (pdf)

November 23, 2010 (Programmers)

2010-11-23T17:15:00.000-06:00

Our meeting this time focused on starting some Scratch programs. Programmers either began learning some of the basics of Scratch or worked independently on programs. Beginners experimented with assigning different scripts to various keys on the keyboard. They also learned they can assign multiple controls and scripts to different sprites. Scratch is a free download from MIT. You can find it at www.scratch.mit.edu.

Here are some examples of what the Programmers started with:

Emily wrote a program based on our peanut-butter-sandwich-making meeting.

Brayden experimented with changing the sizes of the sprites.

Evan made a game.

November 9, 2010 (Builders)

2010-11-09T21:39:00.060-06:00

Typically, when we are building structures with Legos, we have something specific we are building. That's particularly true in Building Club. I want Builders to learn different ways to use the pieces, so that they aren't stuck with stacking bricks. Ships (sailing and space) are fine (and these Builders have already come up with some incredible models), but what if you want to build a trebuchet? You need a little something more.

Shapes

So we are going to work up those skills and challenge the Builders to put pieces together in ways they normally wouldn't think of doing. At tonight's meeting, we started out easy, by building a frame or square, then increased the level of complexity and ingenuity required to make a variety of projects.

Swingsets


Braced Walls (and a hammer)

How many Technic bricks do you have to stack before you can get the holes in a beam to line up with the holes in the bricks?*

Folded

Extended

Once everyone had practiced making solid structures, we made a simple structure that is meant to move. Several builders put theirs to use by adding hooks and picking up Legos when it was to clean up. Great job, everyone!

* Six. If you want to make a shorter stack, you have to use plates, too.

October 26, 2010 (Programmers)

2010-10-26T21:30:00.001-05:00

What do you do when a program won't do what you expect it to?

This year's group of Programmer wanna-be's found out when they tried to program ME to make a peanut butter sandwich. Their objective was to tell me the exact steps I needed to take in order to make a sandwich. Sounds simple and I did exactly what they said. When they said "Open the bag of bread," I ripped a hole in the side of the bag. When they said "Flip the bread," I did...so the peanut butter was on the bottom.

The point of the activity was to demonstrate how much we take for granted when we try to describe how to do something. We understand what we mean when we give a command - whether to another person or to a computer - so it often takes us by surprise when things don't go as we expected. As I told the kids, computers are really very stupid. They don't know anything or understand anything other than what we tell them. Sometimes we need to explain the extra steps ("Take off the twist tie. Open the front of the bag."). Sometimes we need to be more explicit with our language (there is a difference between "flip" and "rotate"). The great news is that once we understand what our expectations are, it becomes easy to describe those intermediate steps.

The kids did a FANTASTIC job. Thinking back on it, I realize there were some times when I could have been more obtuse or contrary, but not many. They learned quickly from my "mistakes" and fixed their "program" with very few hints.

After they were done, everyone wanted a peanut butter sandwich to celebrate, although nobody wanted the first poor, mangled sandwich.

Everyone wanted to know, "why not peanut butter and JELLY?" I thought we did well enough with just one sticky substance to deal with.

A New Year - Plans for 2010-11

2010-09-09T21:15:00.000-05:00

Some things will change drastically for the coming year.

I hope that one of the things that will change will be the timeliness with which I update the blog! Since I'm actually writing this in November, I would say I haven't got off to a promising start.
I am splitting the meetings into focus groups. The first meeting of the month will be dedicated to Building with Legos and other construction toys. The second meeting of the month will be dedicated to Programming, primarily with Scratch. Members (and parents) can decide if they want to belong to one or both of the groups.
The cost of participating has also increased. Unfortunately, Legos are not cheap and most of the supplies that the group uses have been purchased by me. It will be $30 to participate in each focus group. If you do not belong to another 4H Club, there is an additional $15 for membership dues for 4H. There is a discount for more than 1 child. You can also pay as you go.
On the flip side, I am going to be loaning out the NXT kit and the Science and Engineering kit, along with resources for building different models. Members who have paid their dues in full will be able to check out a kit for a month at a time.
We have a Facebook page now. I'm going to use it as another way to communicate about the schedule, interesting links and resources, and other events.

What will remain the same is the fun. Every meeting will be something different and I hope exciting, even for kids who have been building with Legos for a long time.
Hope to see you!

Thara

January 12, 2010

2010-01-13T19:48:00.003-06:00

Continuing with Scratch

The older Builders continued working on their Scratch programs and got the chance to test and revise someone else's program.

Building Robots

The younger Builders began building the robot bodies we will use for the next several meetings.

December 1, 2009

2010-01-13T19:45:00.004-06:00

Introduction to Scratch

The older Builders got an introduction to Scratch and began working on their own programs

Building Challenge

The younger Builders had three design objectives:

Build a Bridge
Build Something We Saw on the Field Trip
Build a New Invention

Check out these bridges!

November 17, 2009 - College of Engineering

2010-01-13T19:40:00.015-06:00

The great folks at the MU College of Engineering gave us a great tour of 4 labs/teams:

The Rapid Prototyping lab (I need some of those machines)

The Concrete Canoe Team (who knew you could make concrete that floats?!)

The Formula 1 Team (they started with a wrecked motorcycle--I think Mason was heartbroken)

The Hydrogen Car Team (those panels are super-light but strong enough to stand on--but not by us)

November 3, 2009 - S.N.O.T. Building

2009-11-10T21:07:00.004-06:00

There was a lot of curiosity and excitement about the building challenge for this meeting: S.N.O.T. building!! S.N.O.T. stands for "Studs Not On Top." Some Builders had some difficulty getting started--it's hard to break old habits! A few of them tried to stay in the gray by building everything upside-down (technically the studs were NOT on top...until I turned the project upside-down). Once they got rolling, we had a lot of great examples of S.N.O.T. building.

October 20, 2009

2009-11-10T21:06:00.005-06:00

Building the Science and Engineering dog

Part of the Building group began work on the Lego Science and Engineering dog, which will wag its tail and move its mouth when completed.

Building chairs

Some of the Builders decided to take the challenge of designing chairs for a small stuffed animal. The chairs had to pass the drop test and fit the animal the Builder chose.

That's a lot of animals!

Finalizing the robot

The Robot Building group continued work on their robot and tested various programs to get the robot to accomplish their objective. When they were done, they demonstrated their invention: The Candy-Flinging Robot!

October 6, 2009

2009-11-05T19:19:00.007-06:00

Builders split into small groups and worked on models from the Lego Science and Engineering kit, with a focus on gears and stable structures.

The Robot Building group (Carson, Mason, Evan A., and Koy), revised plans for their robot, built a base for the motor and NXT brick, and devised a simple program to test the function of their design. After drafting a design and building a prototype, we realized that the objective was too complex to be built in the time frame we had available. Although they were disappointed that they had to start over, they quickly came up with a revised plan and built a base for the motor.

Sept 22, 2009

2009-09-28T04:11:00.001-05:00

At this meeting, we split into groups based on age and experience. Three of the groups worked in teams to build models from the Lego Science and Engineering kits. These Builders worked on solid construction, choosing the right pieces, and correcting mistakes that may have occurred. The 4^th group started designing a robot using the Lego NXT kit. They will be constructing and programming a candy-delivering robot for Halloween. Before the end of the meeting, each group had a chance to demonstrate and talk about their model. You can see a video of all the groups:

Towards the end, you might hear me repeatedly calling Carson "Carter," while he and Carter correct me. I apologize to Carson! I seem to have this problem with his name--that I can look right at him, knowing what his name is, and the wrong one comes out of my mouth. He always politely corrects me.

First Meeting

2009-09-11T15:40:00.000-05:00

Wow! 21 Builders attended our first meeting of the year! It was a great turnout and very exciting for me to see all of the new faces.

We began with a Lego Scavenger hunt, to become familiar with the different pieces. Many of the new Builders hadn't used Technic pieces before and returning Builders didn't know standard names for everything, so it was a challenge for most of them. Most of them worked together to find the items on the list. For the ones that got really stuck, I had flashcards that they could look at.

Resources:

Scavenger Hunt List
Flash Cards

Next, the Builders built their names out of Legos:

Look at all of the creative ways of building letters and using pieces! I'm going to print the pictures I took of all the names. We'll use them for name tags and photo tags for models later on.

You can't stop Builders from building, especially when the table in front of them is full of Legos. Here are some of the creations they came up with during our meeting:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Evan and Gordon finished early and shot some video of the other builders. Here's a scan around the room of everyone building:

Head to Flickr to see what some of the group did with their creations.

And finally, a special THANK YOU to Evan B., who donated the money he received as an award this summer to the group!

The next meeting is on Sept. 22. We'll split into groups and start working on models.

Meeting Schedule for 2009-10

2009-08-27T14:33:00.000-05:00

Calling all Builders!

It's the start of a great new year! Our first meeting will be on Tues, Sept 8 at 6 pm in the New Franklin school Media Center/Library. We'll talk about the new club and free build while parents fill out paperwork.

Following meetings will be on:

Sept 22
Oct 6
Oct 20

Builders must be in Kindergarten through 5th grade and at least 6 years old by Dec, 2009.

Robotics Summer Camp

2009-07-22T17:09:00.000-05:00

This summer, we had two 1-week camps to build and program NXTs. Thanks to the kids who attended (and their parents!), we were able to purchase the NXT kit for next year's club. The best part was working with the NXT, especially when the kids came up with their own programs.

Tribot

We began by talking about the difference between machines and robots and why a program is so important. We started with Tribot to learn the basics of programming and the functions of the sensors. After several days of building and modifying, the first group built Spike (the robotic scorpion). The second group built RoboArm.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

(If you can't see the pictures, you can look at them and some additional videos on Flickr)

Carson built a program for Spike that let the robot walk around the table:

As a special treat, Tyler brought his fuel cell model car:

Links of Interest

2009-07-20T20:22:00.006-05:00

All of the following links will navigate you away from this blog.

Lego

LEGO
Building Instructions Download PDFs of models. Search by series, name, or model number.
Brickipedia A Lego wiki (online encyclopedia)
The Brothers Brick

Mindstorm NXT

The NXT Step Blog by multiple, multinational contributors.
Videos

NXT Sequencer by Damien Kee. A great example of a fun way to use the NXT (and I like the tune).

NXT Programs Fun programs for one NXT kit

Robotics Challenges

Moonbots, Summer 2010

Other Programming

Scratch

More Fun Stuff

Lego

BIONICLEsector01 A Bionicle wiki

Bricklink A "unofficial marketplace." This is a link to their reference page/catalog. You can find exhaustive information for sets and components, including part numbers and images.

Fractals

Nova Hunting the Hidden Dimension

Real Life

Programming

How Hard is it to Learn Programming? on Ask-Leo.com

Robots

Robots on the road to safer convoys on Tech Republic.com
Rescue Mission Robots from MU
NASA's 6-legged Robot on Computerworld.com

Building

Make Magazine

The New Franklin Lego League (2008-09)

2009-06-30T17:02:00.001-05:00

Pictures from last year's group: