Wed, 01 May 2024 17:54:14 -0700WeeblyMon, 31 Aug 2020 23:03:06 GMThttp://stemeducationcampmd.com/trevon-branch-blog/join-us-any-morning-for-coffeeSat, 23 Jun 2018 19:26:00 GMThttp://stemeducationcampmd.com/trevon-branch-blog/june-23rd-20182935785​This camp will introduce students to disciplines of engineering and help them keep pace with today’s burgeoning STEM revolution. Hands-on, task-based learning is the cornerstone of engineering. The young engineers will spend the majority of time designing and building a variety of structures, machines and vehicles. As they work collaboratively to answer questions they will learn to communicate and think critically. Just a few of the concepts students will encounter include, potential energy, kinetic energy, gravity, friction, current, voltage, resistance, tension and compression. The scientists will build several vehicles that utilize gears, motors, rubber bands, balloons and more. Each camper will build a number of additional machines including hovercrafts and propeller powered cars. They will construct catapults, bridges, and towers. Everyone will have the opportunity to decorate and personalize their individual or group constructed contraptions. They will then have the opportunity to partake in fun events that measure variables like speed, accuracy, efficiency, durability, and creativity. Materials will include: motors, copper wire, balsa wood, foam, rubber bands, batteries, battery snaps and holders, metal and plastic wheel axles, wood and plastic platforms, motor holders, propellers, battery clips, on/off electrical switches, straw, balloons, low heat glue guns, wire strippers, miniature bulbs and bulb holders. All materials will be safe to use under adult supervision.]]>Sat, 23 Jun 2018 19:23:37 GMThttp://stemeducationcampmd.com/trevon-branch-blog/june-23rd-2018​Engineer – somebody who uses tools and materials to make useful stuff in a
repeatable way.

Evaluate – to carefully look something over and decide which parts are important,
which are working, which need more work, which are not worth the trouble.

Events (interrupts) – Inventor Level 4. Very advanced, potentially confusing
programming tool (this per the kid who taught herself to use them in one long evening),
useful for such tasks as following a line until the touch sensor is pressed. The Task
Split Icon may also be of interest is this situation.
​
Experimentation - differs from playing around or brainstorming –
1) isolate changes – change only one thing at a time if you can
2) document - record changes/results
3) evaluate and analyze
4) Draw conclusions & go on to the next problem, task, or test.]]>Tue, 12 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMThttp://stemeducationcampmd.com/trevon-branch-blog/sumo-with-robotsMore about The Sumo challenges.

Sumo is a Japanese wrestling contest in which two participants challenge each other within a defined area to see who can be the last standing. Could You Be a Sumo Robot Wrestler? Robo-Sumo, like the Japanese wrestling contest, is the challenge in which two robots challenge each other within a fixed space ("Ring").
Important strategies for winning a match: Low stance in relation to how it affects center of gravity.
Students discuss ideas about what they need to do to modify their robots to be the best Sumo wrestler it can be (direct students to think about mass and center of gravity as discussed above) 
                1. Students will apply basic robotics skills in a friendly and fun environment
                2. Students will recognize the effect of center of gravity and mass distribution on the performance of their robot
                3. Students will discover the importance of combining programming and construction effectively


]]>Wed, 06 Jun 2018 23:26:06 GMThttp://stemeducationcampmd.com/trevon-branch-blog/constructing-and-programming​​Everybody constructs robots from an unlimited number possibilities.
Anybody can build their own favorite and exciting designs.
Students can seek to complete challenges and receive many certificates of accomplishment.
Campers will have lessons introducing students to the  types of robots. They have had instruction on programming their robot to complete certain tasks using the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 and TETRIX PRIME kits.  This will be followed by a series of challenge activities in which Campers will develop and implement a variety of tasks and skills.  The challenge activities will allow for creative design and critical reasoning. 
​]]>Tue, 05 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMThttp://stemeducationcampmd.com/trevon-branch-blog/spatial-awarenessWhy is spatial awareness important in robotics?
Why is mathematics necessary for programming robots?
How can problem-solving strategies be used to develop and produce technological and programming solutions?]]>