I-SET
Equipping for visionary leaders and learners
Inspired towards Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET), the community engagement flagship project of the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET), aims to inspire and equip learners for the future through the fun activities of robotics.
On 14 March 2020, the I-SET Robotics equipping for educators and visionary leaders commenced. The purpose of the training was to introduce the programming and engineering of robots at different levels to a range of potential coaches and mentors of robotics teams. There were four parallel sessions presented concurrently from 11:30 to 14:30.
The I-SET Introduction to Programming used the WeDo programming environment to introduce programming to grades 1 to 3. This session renamed themselves the Uber class. After two hours, the class had created and programmed an Uber vehicle to collect passengers and a hospital with a programmed wind turbine (and isolation ward, just in case!).
The I-SET Mechatronics/Electronics used an Arduino kit to build and program the first I-SET designed robot. The class was small, but the interest was huge.
The I-SET Introduction to Programming and Engineering used the EV3 robotics kit and programming environment to introduce the basics of navigation, problem solving and passive attachments to grades 4 to 10. The three teams of eight learners were able to build and program a Riley Rover Robot within two hours. The teams all proceeded to score points on at least one challenge mission.
SUCH SESSIONS ALWAYS INSPIRE!
The I-SET Understanding the Virtual GEAR challenge class deliberated strategies needed to score maximum points in the challenge, an international LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 robotics challenge offered to learners aged 14 years old or younger. There are currently more than 90 South African teams competing in this competition against teams from Namibia, USA, Germany, and Costa Rica.
Once the robots got moving, it was a challenge to stop the excitement! By 15:00, all the robots were safely stowed away, resting before the next I-SET Equipping session. I-SET wishes to thank all the coaches, mentors, educators, parents, visionary leaders, and learners who graciously participated on Saturday. Such sessions always INSPIRE!
*By Patricia Gouws, Senior Lecturer, Department of Information Systems
Publish date: 2020-03-17 00:00:00.0
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