Plan at the Beginning of the Project

Creating a new course can be relatively simple in some subject areas.  However...robotics does not seem to fit into the 'simple' category.  My plan in the beginning was

This basic plan is still the same.  However... 

Important Changes Since the Beginning of the Project

After beginning this project, I learned that my school (Corvallis High School) and 8 other schools in Oregon are expected to receive a grant from NASA to participate in the FIRST robotics competition for the 2002 season.  FIRST is an acronym meaning "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology".  FIRST competitions have been held annually since 1992, and now has over 500 teams competing each year.

As of December 7, 2001, none of the NASA grant money has been distributed to the schools.  We've been told that the FIRST entry fee of $5000 will be paid directly, but the fate of the remaining $5000 (?) is not clear.  Assuming that the remainder of the grant arrives and has no rigid requirements, it will complicate my project, but will also add real possibilities for helping to fund and promote a future robotics course. As I write this, the number of schools have been reduced to 8.  One school declined the offer and another school was selected to add.

Current Status of the Plan

Learning How to Propose a New Course

I spoke with the vice principal about this. I did not ask explicitly if the process was written as a policy, or in any form, but the impression I got was that there is no written policy on adding a class. There is, however, a less formal procedure that was explained, and a deadline for suggesting a new class.

The exact information necessary for the administrators to add a class to the schedule will vary with the type of class. For my proposed class in robotics, I need to supply the following information:

1.  Describe course like in course catalog. This is a few sentences that describe the class in general. Entries in the current course catalog are to be used as examples.

2.  Provide budget information. How much money will it take to set up the class, and how much will it take for operation. If the money required is beyond normal budget figures, what is the proposed or actual source of the money?

3.  Establish prerequisites for the class, if any. Explain the logic of the prerequisites suggested.

4.  Describe other constrains, such as classroom location restrictions, course specific equipment requirements, and scheduling restrictions.

5.  Will a fee be charged? If there is to be a fee, the students must be able to take home from the class something of value about equal in value to the fee amount. Describe the reason for the fee, and the product to ‘take home’.

The deadline for submitting a new course proposal is January 31, 2002. This date is necessary in order to have enough time to create the next year’s schedule and publish the information prior to student advising and preregistration.

Except for item 2 (budget info), I can furnish all information required. I was told that is it alright to propose a course with the budget information incomplete if there are pending grant applications or other uncertain money sources being pursued. If the money is not available, the course will not be scheduled, if it is soon learned that there’s no money, or cancelled if the money source is not firm in time for the next school year.

Funding Issues

A grant in the hand is worth how many in the bush?  

With the NASA grant that is expected, the possibility of funding a class for next year became more real.  But the conditions of the grant are still shrouded in mystery, and with the grant being handled through an intermediary (OSU Nuclear Engineering Dept), information has not been free flowing.

If I am allowed to purchase 'instructional materials', that will allow me to stock up with supplies that can be used in a class next school year.  If the money is earmarked for 'travel' or 'future event registration', then the grant is much less useful for setting up a future class.

I believe that all will be revealed in time, and that I should be patient and not try an end run on our intermediary.  So the results of this will need to await my final report.

I plan to submit an application for a Meyer Memorial Trust grant.  Two teachers in my department have successfully received grants from this source in the last 5 years.  Getting this grant would assure enough money to start the class.  The next deadline for an application is January 15, 2002.  

I'll also consult with the school district grant coordinator for other application ideas.

Targeting the Course

Progress in this area is limited to discussions I've have with the Corvallis HS vice principal and colleagues, plus some impressions received while doing Internet research on other schools that offer robotics courses.  Our vice principal indicated that the choice of prerequisites is up to me, but made some suggestions.  Having no prerequisites will lower the level of the class, but help to ensure adequate enrollment.  Having prerequisites raises the level, but reduces the probability of filling the class.

I believe that there will be enough interest to fill at least one section of the class, even with some prerequisites.  Opinions of colleagues I asked seem to agree.  My current inclination is that the class be one step up from unrestricted enrollment.  

For prerequisites, I will probably require Electrical/Mechanical Systems (a current class of mine) OR Computer Programming (an intro level course) OR instructor approval.  I'm sure there will be a group of students with electrical or programming experience that is sufficient, but who will not have taken formal courses.

Course Outline & Setting Goals

I attended a workshop last summer (2001) in San Jose, California that covered techniques and sample lessons for incorporating LEGO-based instruction into robotics curriculum.  I plan to borrow from what I learned at the workshop in outlining my proposed course.  The workshop used modified 'Lego Mindstorm' kits to provide a convenient, quick assembly method for building robots.  The ideas is to not get bogged down in the construction of machines and to spend more time on the principles.  The kit includes a programmable controller that is programmed via PCs using a language called Not Quite C.  A second programmable controller (not a Lego product) was also available to add greater capabilities to robots using both controllers.

I've also located a few useful web sites that deal with high school robotics classes.

http://instruction.esuhsd.org/courses/courses/416.txt is a site with a document about establishing a robotics course, including justification, description of course, prerequisites, and objectives, plus a course outline.  This is an older document (~10-years old) but will be useful in giving me ideas.

Lowell HS in Massachusetts has a robotics course 'Management Plan' and a course description.

There are other sites, while not directly related to robotics courses, will provide useful ideas on what students can hope to get out of a robotics class.

Samples of Lesson Plans

I've not yet addressed this part of my plan except to accumulate information when I come upon it.  The previously mentioned workshop is an example.  While lesson plans are a good thing, they're not really necessary for getting the course going unless requested by our school's administration.

Promotion

"If you build it, they will come." - from the movie "Field of Dreams"

This may have worked in the fantasy movie, but in reality, if word does not get out that a robotics course is a desirable option, it's much less likely to be a successful course.

It seems deceitful to publicize a course that does not, and may not, exist yet.  When (if) the course is approved, promotion should be a natural course of action.  This can include notifying students, parents, and the community through announcements, emails, media, or whatever seems effective.

But before the course is approved, there is no harm in promoting robotics in general.  With the NASA grant and the development of a FIRST robotics teams, there is opportunity.  To promote the FIRST event, and in turn promote high school robotics, I am organizing a 'rally' for all of the Oregon schools that are receiving the NASA grant.  The event is scheduled for December 17, 2001.  More information can be found at my temporary web site Oregon FIRST Robotics Rally.  I did all of the work in setting up this site.

Robotics Competitions

Like lesson plans, the existence of robotics competitions is not a requirement for setting up a robotics course.  I do think that having competitions is a good way to keep students interested and to make the course desirable.

With the 8 high schools being involved in the 2002 FIRST competition, I see an opportunity to set up the ground work for future competitions.  FIRST is EXPENSIVE!  The $5000 entry fee is just the beginning.  Transportation and lodging are extra.  If you advance to the national competition, there is an additional $4000 entry fee.  Without some form of sponsorship, continued FIRST activity is not an option.

My guess is that all, or most, of the this year's grant recipients will not be able to compete in FIRST next year.  BUT!  There is no reason why we cannot compete in-state on a less grand scale.  A robotics conference or league can be set up that is not unlike that done by sports teams.  If the Oregon teams want to continue, this sort of arrangement may become our best option.  So a goal of hosting the Oregon FIRST Robotics Rally is to get the teams to know one another better and to have some bonding - not just see each other for the first and only time at the Seattle regional.

Coming Up?

During Winter Quarter I will be heavily involved with the Corvallis HS FIRST team, writing grant applications, and learning more about what works - and doesn't work - with students and robotics.  I'll also submit the required information to the CHS administration to have a robotics course added for 2002-2003, regardless of how the grant situation stands at the end of January 2002, the new course submission deadline.   Information and outcomes occurring during this time to be included in my final project to be completed during Spring term 2002.

The Road Map