From manufacturing plants to medical institutions, robots are an essential part of the 21st century. By learning how to program robots using data from their sensors to automate solutions to problems, students will develop the computational thinking skills they need to succeed in today's technologically advanced workforce. In this workshop, students will explore robotics and block-based programming using the VEX VR educational robotics learning environment. Students will be introduced to computational thinking and computer science fundamentals by learning to code a virtual robot in VEX VRs block-based coding environment. By the end of the program, students will have developed enough comfort with block-based programming to be able to navigate other popular block-based programming environments from Scratch to Microsoft's Makecode.
Participants will learn by doing; they will be given instruction on computational thinking practices and demonstrations on the use of the VEX VR coding platform. They will then work to complete the activities on their computer with help from Shodor instructors.
This workshop introduces students to computational thinking and educational robotics for the purpose of creating block-based programs to control a virtual robot and solve robotics challenge activities. The primary goals for students will be to learn applications of computational thinking and fundamental computer science concepts.
All activities will take place at Shodor offices located at 1209 N Elizabeth St., in Durham, NC. Participants will be able to use a laptop computer with Internet access provided by Shodor. The VEX VR block-based programming environment is web-based and works in all major browsers, thus there is no software installed required for its use.
Participants should be rising 6th-8th graders interested in art, science, technology, and/or mathematics. No prior experience is needed.