Loyola College in Maryland
Computer Science Component
Next Step: Introduction to the Natural Sciences
RPCS-Loyola Program
Summer 2009
Loyola College >
Department of Computer Science >
RPCS
Instructor: Dr. Dawn J. Lawrie
Office: Donnelly Science 125b
Work Phone: 410-617-2140
Office Hours: NA
e-mail: dlawrie at loyola dot edu
Course Information: via handout and online text book
Class Meeting: July 13-17, M-W-F 9 AM -3 PM
Class Room: DS 121
Prerequisites: Roland Park Country School program participants
Required Text: D. Kumar, Learning Computing with Robots, Institute for Personal Robots in Education 2007.
Reference Materials: Handouts provided
Reserved Materials: None
Other Requirements: Notebook (required for each class); access to Scribbler Robot and Myro Programming Environment.
Course Description
Introduction to programming with robots:
In this course you will learn about the myriad of robots that have been designed, including some that are commercially available. You will spend the week working with your own robot in a small group and using a computer to teach the robot how to accomplish simple tasks such as performing a dance routine and exhibiting simple behaviors associated with insects. While teaching the robot, you will learn about the fundamentals of programming a computer.
Specific Educational Objectives of the Course
At the completion of the course, the student will have demonstrated:
Learning objectives:
- Obtain a comprehensive overview of robotics and how it relates to the broader field of computer science
- Learn basic concepts of programming in a high level language
- Learn enough programming to create simple programs for the scribbler robot
Conduct of the Course
The course is presented over three days using a combination of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and laboratory exercises.
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend every day and participate in all classroom activities. Absences are viewed as a loss of experience in the laboratory setting of this class. If you must miss a class please contact the professor for make-up information.
Grading:
There is no grading of this class.
Schedule
Monday
| 9 -10 AM | Introductions of robotics [Lecture]
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| 10:00- 10:10 | Break/ Informal Q&A
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| 10:10-11 | Introduction to your robot [Lab]
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| 11-11:10 | Break/ Informal Q&A
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| 11:10-Noon | How can a robot dance? [Lecture Demonstration]
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| 12-1 | Luncheon
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| 1-2:45 | Writing a dance routine [Lab, Starter File]
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Wednesday
| 9-10:30 AM | Demonstration: The Robot Dancer
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| 10:30- 10:40 | Break/ Informal Q&A
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| 10:40-11:40 | Scribbler Sensors [Interactive lecture]
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| 11:45-1:45 | Hauber Luncheon and Seminar
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| 1:45-2:45 | Responding to the World [Interactive Lecture]
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Friday
| 9:00-9:30 | Computer Science as a Profession [Lecture]
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| 9:30-10:00 | Advanced Robots [Demonstration]
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| 10:00- 10:10 | Break/ Informal Q&A
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| 10:10-11 | Robots behaving like insects [Interactive Lecture]
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| 11-11:10 | Break/ Informal Q&A
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| 11:10-Noon | Experimenting with robot behaviors [Lab]
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| 12-1 | Luncheon
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| 1-2:20 | Complete the morning lab [Lab]
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| 2:20-2:45 | Wrap-up discussion
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