The purpose of this page is to expand a student's knowledge about Robots and Robotics and link their new levels of knowledge to themes and units in the BC Science Curriculum.

BUILDING A FOUNDATION

A good foundation is always helpful. Robotics covers a wide range of ideas and skills. These links are meant to help you build your foundation:

• The history and workings of robots - thetech.org
• Introduction to robotics - Canadian Space Agency
• The history of robots - 5 page pdf - Canadian Space Agency
• How robots work - howstuffworks.com
• Robot timeline - from the CBC
• Starter bots - from the CBC
• Robots - from about.com
• Introduction to robots - 49 page pdf by Vikram Kapila Polytechnic Institute of NY University
• 20 things you didn't know about robots - from Discover magazine April 2007
• The Canadarm - Canadian Space Agency
  

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

The things you do in a classroom, as part of a curriculum - or pathway, can introduce you to new ideas and skills. Check out these links:

• Classroom activities - The Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose, Calif.
• Build it yourself - robots and more
• Middle School curriculum - Carnegie Mellon University
• Robotics online - 4H Series - Carnegie Mellon University
• Botball curriculum - KISS Institute for Practical Robotics
  
• Activities - Robotics - Canadian Space Agency
• Activity: seeing without eyes - Canadian Space Agency
• Robotic glossary - KC Robotics

PROGRAMMING ROBOTS

Once you've built a robot, you'll what to program it. Here are a couple of links. Once you've gone through these links, check out the Software links (on the left side of the page).

• LEGO NXT building instructions - Carnegie Mellon University
• LEGO Mindstorms - basic building instructions
• 60 plus projects with building instructions
• Other robots and creatures

FUN ACTIVITIES

Have some fun. It can be a great way to really learn something. Try these links, but, when you find something you like, send it to us.

• Robot geek quiz - CBC
• Inspiring invention - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Command your own robot - thetech.org
• Robot constructor - Channel4, UK

VIDEO LINKS

We've found a few video links. More would be nice to have. Your suggestions would be welcome.

• LEGO creation - YouTube
• NASA Robots
• Robotics movies - Futures Channel

This set of web pages is meant as a starting point. Feel free to send us your suggestions.

Thanks.

Stewart Savard (eLibrarian) and Randy Grey (Career Coordinator)

Updated October 1, 2009