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The “Ozo and Dash bot plans” activity is part of the FabConnectHer project, which helps young women learn skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and maths (STEAM).
In this lesson, students use Dash robots with iPads and tools like a catapult and xylophone to explore maths and robotics in a fun way.
Students practise steering and programming the robot, driving it through tracks, parking, scoring points, and even making music. They also solve sums based on the games they play. The activities build teamwork, creativity, and confidence while showing that technology can be learned step by step.
The lesson is suitable for elementary to high school students in small groups. By the end, they understand the basics of robotics, improve their maths, and see how robots can be useful in real life.
Materials:
This activity shows students that robotics and maths can be fun and creative. By working with the Dash robot, they learn how to steer, program, and complete different challenges, from parking to making music. The process encourages teamwork and problem-solving, while giving students the chance to practise maths in a playful way.
Students gain confidence as they see that technology can be learned step by step and that mistakes are part of the learning process. In the end, they not only improve their skills in maths and robotics but also see how robots can be useful in everyday life, from games and music to real jobs in areas like healthcare and services.
Students are grouped in small teams, connect their Dash robot to an iPad, and use the app to control it, aiming and shooting balls with the catapult to score points.
Depending on the amount of available Dash Bots group the participants together (3 to 4 persons recommended per Bot).
Turn on the Dash and connect to the iPad, there is a number on the Dash and that same number will appear on the I pad, if you click on it, it will connect to the Dash. Then you can go to the app ‘wonder for Dash and dot robots’, then you can control the Dash with the app so that it is properly positioned in front of the point paper. If it is in the right position, you can click left or right, if you click left, for example, it will shoot the ball that is on the left side of the catapult. You can specify how hard he shoots. And this way you can try to get as many points as possible by shooting the balls through the holes.
Students practise aiming and shooting the ball with the Dash robot, present their attempt to the instructor, and learn the basic principles to use in later sessions.
It can be quite difficult to get the robot to shoot the ball in the right direction. After the student has tried it then she presents it to the instructor.
This first step is a small assignment, in this lesson you have learned the principles and you could always expand on that. In the next lessons, you will be able to use everything you have learned in this lesson to use the Dash better and faster.
Students build a street and parking space with blocks, then drive the Dash robot from start to finish and park it in reverse, followed by a discussion about parking sensors and trying the task from memory.
Use Kapla or other blocks to make a street on the floor. Also create a parking space (garage). Let the Dash drive from the start to the end point (garage). Please note: he must park in reverse!
Discussion: What would a parking sensor actually do?
Possibility of deepening/broadening the knowledge: Try to program the Dash to the garage by heart.
Students create a track with blocks, measure Dash’s movement, and program it to complete the circuit in one go, then test, present their results, and explore new track designs with added challenges like curves or bridges.
Create a circuit with the Kapla and then let the Dash complete it. You first have to measure how far the Dash travels with 1 time forward and then program it so that it can complete the circuit in 1 go.
Infer: What is the fastest way for the Dash to complete the track?
Present: Did it work? Show it to your teacher or classmates!
Broadening/deepening: You can completely change the track to your liking. You can make curves in it, bridges, roundabout, pit stop and a slope etc.
Students use the Xylo app to compose their own song and let the Dash robot play it on a xylophone, calibrating the robot if needed, and discover how simple notes can create music.
Have you always wanted to play an instrument with a robot? This is your chance? You can use the Xylo app to create your own song and then have it played by the Dash.
If the Dash misses the Xylophone, you need to calibrate the Dash. You can do this with a button at the top right of the iPad.
Execute Command: Have fun with your own song!
Infer: With just a few musical notes, you can create a beautiful piece of music. It can be quite difficult in the beginning, but it will work out in the long run.
Students clean up their workspace and reflect on how robots can be used in everyday life, such as in healthcare, hospitality, and service industries.
Clean up and talk about the possibilities of ro-boting in daily live, like healthcare, hospitality, service etc.
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