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ECTechtastic
Get Into Robotics
A virtual library spanning from computational thinking to programming robots. This page provides a scaffolded model of resources that build off of your child's current exposure and helps them to reach the next level of coding and robotics. Choose from the categories below to get started!
Logic: To build computational thinking skills start here
These products help to build computational thinking skills through game play. They will devlop logic and sequence skills and an understanding of how to give a program basic orders (right, left, forward). Once mastery of a game of this format the child will have a solid ground work to beging with basic programming.
Digital Dream Labs
Bring tactical learning experinces to the digital world.
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Robot Turtles
Learn to code through tech-less gameplay.
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Scratch Junior
Drag and drop code with out reading a thing.
Computational Thinking
Intro Code
Intro to Code:For an introduction to coding start here
If there is a strong understanding of critical thinking then you are ready to begin to code. These sites will introduce you to coding through learning modules and activities. Through these sites you will gain the skill set required to work with block coding languages.
"As kids build games and projects, they learn valuable computational thinking and programming skills."
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"Programs, links, and knowledge are a click away. Engage and inspire
with downloads and projects."
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"Code.org® is a non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science."
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Block Coding: To write your own block codes start here
Once comfortable with block coding you are now ready to write your own code. These sites will have you create games and interactive activities. You will gain a mastery of block coding which will provide you with the skill set to work with introductory robotics tools.
Scratch
"With Scratch, you can program your own interactive stories, games, and animations — and share your creations with others in the online community."
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Snap!
"Is an extension of Scratch that allows you to Build Your Own Blocks."
Hopscotch
(Ipad App Only)
"Programming made easy. No typing. No syntax errors. Just drag and drop blocks."
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Block Code
Beginner Robotics
Intro to Robots: For an introduction to robots start here
Once you have fully devloped your skills at block coding you can easily transition into building robots on these platforms. Now things start to get REALLY fun! Using tools like these beginner robots you can use your block coding skills to make these robots operate.
MakeyMakey
"Turn everyday objects into touchpads and combine them with the internet."
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Modular Robotics
"With Cubelets Studio you can connect to a robot and reprogram any or all of your Cubelets wirelessly."
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Humming Bird Kits
"Hummingbird is designed to enable engineering and robotics activities built out of a combination of kit parts and crafting materials."
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Intro to Robots:For Arduino programming start here
Once you have fully devloped your skills at block coding and have worked with some robotics, Arduino is a very easylanguage to learn and use. They even have a Ardublock option where you can view the code in block forma. It is a great way to learn the basics of programming .
Hummingbird Duo + Ardublock
"Ardublock is a blocks-based graphical environment for creating Arduino programs. As Ardublock allows users to see the Arduino code behind the blocks, and as it allows downloading of the program to the Hummingbird Duo, it is a great next step for those who are familiar with Scratch or Snap! programming."
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Arduino
"Arduino can be used to develop interactive objects. Arduino projects can be stand-alone, or they can communicate with software running on your computer."
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Intro to Robots: For Raspberry Pi Start here
If you have coding and robotics experinece you are ready to work on different platforms. The Raspberry Pi is acredit-card sized computer, capable of doing everything you’d expect a desktop computer to do. You can use laungues like Scratch and Arduino to code this device.
Raspberry Pi
"Raspberry Pi has the ability to interact with the outside world, and has been used in a wide array of digital maker projects, from music machines and parent detectors to weather stations and tweeting birdhouses with infra-red cameras."
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VEX: To code VEX robots start here
If you have a solid foundation of block coding, familiarity with robots and are ready to learn Robot-C, a more advanced programing language, I suggest starting with the beginner option then working up to advanced.
CS2N
Virtual Programmer for VEX Robots (PC only)
Robot Virtual Worlds is a virtual simulator for the popular ROBOTC language. You do not need a robot to use this software and practice with Robot-C
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Robot- C
(PC only)
"ROBOTC is a cross-robotics-platform programming language for popular educational robotics systems."
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Graphical
(PC only)
"This mode will allow you to drag and drop blocks of code from the "Graphical Functions"" menu into your program."
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Robot-C
FIRST: To learn Lego Mindstorm for FIRST Robotics start here
If you have a solid foundation of block coding and have experince programming robots you are ready to get introduced to FIRST Robotics with Lego Mindstorm.
Lego Mindstorm EV3
"Introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks,"
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Lego Mindstorm NXT
"The programmable NXT controls the motors and servos that make FTC robots come to life."
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FIRST: To learn Java for FIRST Robotics start here
If you have a solid foundation of block coding, have experince programming robots and are ready to learn Java, a more advanced programing language, I suggest starting with the beginner option then working up to advanced.
Code Combat
Learn the basic vocabulary of the Java language through gameplay
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Cave of Programming
Java for complete Beginners (Free)
I recommend using a site like this one, that provides online learning videos and modules, to teach you the basics of Java.
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Java for FIRST robotics
This site provides a step-by-step tutorial on setting up and getting started with Netbeans workflow and using Java to program your FIRST Robots.
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Java
© 2015 by Erin Cawley.. Proudly created for TeamRobotiX.com
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