I used Chat GPT to write a blog post so I thought I’d play around with it some more and try it out to help me lesson plan. I asked Chat GPT some questions about the unit we’re working on in my STEM classes to see what it knew. It surprised me because I didn’t think it would know much about the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robots! I recently learned that it works from its database and does NOT search the internet. I was shocked because I could be so much better if it could search the Internet. Of course, that would be scary considering that it could search anything. It’s actually comforting to know that it doesn’t search the Internet and even though it does not, I found the responses quite helpful actually and was familiar with what was offered so I know they are valid. Below, my questions are in italics and the AI responses are in bolded text.
What is a good activity for 5th and 6th grade students using the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot?
Here are a few ideas for activities using the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot that are suitable for 5th and 6th grade students:
- “Line Following”: This activity involves programming the robot to follow a straight or curved line using its sensors. Students can experiment with different sensor settings and programming techniques to optimize the robot’s performance.
- “Maze Solving”: This activity involves programming the robot to navigate through a maze using its sensors. Students can design and build their own mazes and program the robot to find the most efficient path through the maze.
- “Sumo Wrestling”: This activity involves programming the robot to compete in a mini sumo wrestling tournament. Students can design their own robots and program them to push their opponents out of the ring using sensors and advanced programming techniques.
- “Musical Robots”: This activity involves programming the robot to play a simple melody or beat using its motors and sensors. Students can experiment with different sound and rhythm patterns and program the robot to play along with a pre-recorded song.
- “Humanoid Robots”: This activity involves programming the robot to perform simple actions, such as waving or giving a high five, using its motors and sensors. Students can design their own robot and program it to perform a series of actions in a specific sequence.
Remember to follow all safety guidelines and procedures when using the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot with students.
What are labs 5th and 6th graders can do with Lego Mindstorms EV3 robots?
Here are a few ideas for labs using the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot that are suitable for 5th and 6th grade students:
- “Line Following”: This lab involves programming the robot to follow a straight or curved line using its sensors. Students can experiment with different sensor settings and programming techniques to optimize the robot’s performance.
- “Maze Solving”: This lab involves programming the robot to navigate through a maze using its sensors. Students can design and build their own mazes and program the robot to find the most efficient path through the maze.
- “Sumo Wrestling”: This lab involves programming the robot to compete in a mini sumo wrestling tournament. Students can design their own robots and program them to push their opponents out of the ring using sensors and advanced programming techniques.
- “Musical Robots”: This lab involves programming the robot to play a simple melody or beat using its motors and sensors. Students can experiment with different sound and rhythm patterns and program the robot to play along with a pre-recorded song.
- “Humanoid Robots”: This lab involves programming the robot to perform simple actions, such as waving or giving a high five, using its motors and sensors. Students can design their own robot and program it to perform a series of actions in a specific sequence.
Remember to follow all safety guidelines and procedures when using the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot with students.
So you consider those EV3 activities to be science labs?
Yes, the activities I suggested involving the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot can be considered science labs. Science is the study of the natural world and the ways in which it can be explained through observation, experimentation, and analysis. The activities I suggested involve using the robot to observe and measure various phenomena, such as the robot’s ability to follow a line or solve a maze, and then using scientific methods, such as experimentation and analysis, to draw conclusions about these phenomena.
In addition, these activities also incorporate elements of engineering and technology, as students must design and build the robot and use programming techniques to control its actions. By combining science, engineering, and technology, these activities provide students with a hands-on, interactive way to learn and explore these subjects.
That’s awesome and I totally agree.
I’m glad you found the information helpful! Using hands-on activities and experiments, such as those involving the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot, can be a fun and engaging way for students to learn about science, engineering, and technology. These types of activities allow students to apply what they have learned in a real-world context, and can help to foster a sense of curiosity and excitement about these subjects.
This is me writing again: I did enjoy the exchange and how it not only considered the activities as labs but also defended its position quite well! It made me feel better about telling my students just that, that by trying new strategies and codes to get their robot to complete the challenges they were indeed doing Science labs and experiments. I got confirmation from an AI chatbot. Who knew?
I even had a nice conversation with Chat GPT about Star Trek! Its responses are way more thorough than I expected. I remember the early days of chatbots when their responses were short and limited. I did find some missing knowledge and I helped Chat GPT learn something new! I feel so accomplished! When I asked Chat GPT to list all the Star Trek movie and show USS Enterprise Captains it left out Captain Jonathan Archer of the Enterprise TV show! Chat GPT thanked me for informing it of that and added it to its updated response! That was cool.
