In Lesson 4 students will continue learning about Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and the preparation for the New Horizon Voyage. Students will review the idea of Entrepreneurship and how we can relate entrepreneurial ideas to the field of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics by looking at specific problems the New Horizon voyage might face as well as problems that might exist within their own lives or communities. AI and Robotics innovations face ethical issues such as AI bias and students will gain an introduction to this concept.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.

Students will learn about Sustainability and its 3 pillars: Environmental Protection, Social Development and Economic Growth. "Plastic, Ahoy!" author Patricia Newman introduces herself and the book. If you have access to the "Plastic, Ahoy!" book, students should read Chapter 1 in this Lesson. Finally, students will complete a brainstorming/research and sketch of an Ocean Sustainability PSA which they will then transfer to Scratch programming in a guided Activity at the end of the Lesson.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.

For students interested in studying biomechanical engineering, especially in the field of surgery, this lesson serves as an anatomy and physiology primer of the abdominopelvic cavity. Students are introduced to the abdominopelvic cavity—a region of the body that is the focus of laparoscopic surgery—as well as the benefits and drawbacks of laparoscopic surgery. Understanding the abdominopelvic environment and laparoscopic surgery is critical for biomechanical engineers who design laparoscopic surgical tools.

Students learn about the concepts of accuracy and approximation as they pertain to robotics, gain insight into experimental accuracy, and learn how and when to estimate values that they measure. Students also explore sources of error stemming from the robot setup and rounding numbers.

This article describes covert and overt active engagement strategies for use with elementary students. Find the Question templates are included for use with informational text.

This activity first asks the students to study the patterns of bird flight and understand that four main forces affect the flight abilities of a bird. They will study the shape, feather structure, and resulting differences in the pattern of flight. They will then look at several articles that feature newly designed planes and the birds that they are modeled after. The final component of this activity is to watch the Nature documentary, "Raptor Force" which chronicles the flight patterns of birds, how researchers study these animals, and what interests our military and aeronautical engineers about these natural adaptations. This activity serves as an extension to the biomimetics lesson. Although students will not be using this information in the design process for their desert resort, it provides interesting information pertaining to the current use of biomimetics in the field of aviation. Students may extend their design process by using this information to create a means of transportation to and from the resort if they chose to.

In this lesson, students learn how to use the Micro:bit expansion board to wire and program smart circuits with wires, LED modules, and the expansion board. They will learn to use "digital write" and "pause" to program LEDs to turn on and off at certain times.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.

In this lesson, students learn how to wire and program the button modules for the Micro:bit expansion board in order to program a basketball possession arrow.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.

In this lesson, students learn how to program a special motor called a servo. They will use “If” statements and the light sensor to program a light-activated sunshade.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.

In this lesson, students learn how to wire and program advanced inputs and outputs like buzzers, color-changing lights, and touch sensors in order to wire and code an educational toy for VilBot's younger cousin, Lil Vil.

Estimated time required: 2-3 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Tablet.

This is an applied project where your students will identify a user from within their community, then use the design thinking process to create a project that solves their user’s problem. In Lesson 1, each student will learn about the project overview. Then, they will choose the end user they want to work with for the remaining lessons in the project!

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Robotics Kit, Tablet, Video Editing Software.

In this lesson, students will find a real person in their community to act as their “end-user.” Students will contact this person by phone or email to set up a time for an interview. Students will interview their end-user and record their responses. If possible, students can even observe their end-user in action! The interview responses will be used to create an empathy map and develop a problem statement for this project.

Estimated time required: 2-3 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Robotics Kit, Tablet, Video Editing Software.

In this lesson, students will ideate (brainstorm) ideas for their project, sketch their favorite ideas, and put together a rough budget for their project.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Robotics Kit, Tablet, Video Editing Software.

In this lesson, students will refer to their sketches and as they create prototypes for their RVR project. This lesson includes examples and tips for creating a prototype, but this is a great opportunity for students to be creative and dedicate a good amount of time making a RVR prototype that they are proud of.

Estimated time required: 4-5 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Robotics Kit, Tablet, Video Editing Software.

In this lesson, students will arrange a time to meet with their end-user (in person or virtually) to show them their prototype. The end-user will interact with the prototype, and the student will capture their feedback in the activity worksheet. Finally, students will take the feedback and use it to improve their prototype.

Estimated time required: 2-3 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Robotics Kit, Tablet, Video Editing Software.

In this lesson, students will finish their project, create a pitch video for their project, share their project with their peers, give/receive feedback on each other’s projects, export and submit their designs, and answer a series of reflection questions.

Estimated time required: 3-4 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Robotics Kit, Tablet, Video Editing Software.

In this lesson, students will learn how to create more advanced robotics by controlling the Sphero RVR with the micro:bit. Students will learn about sensors in robotics and explore the temperature sensor function of the micro:bit. They will learn how to add the RVR SDK extension to the micro:bit MakeCode programming environment.

Estimated time required: 2-3 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Robotics Kit, Tablet.

In this lesson, students will learn how to use the RVR + littleBits to build a robotic aquatic creature that moves and makes noise! First, you'll think about real life aquatic animals that the New Horizon might have encountered, then you'll plan, design, build and program a RVR with littleBits sensors and actuators to simulate this animal's sound, movement and behaviors.

Estimated time required: 2-3 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Robotics Kit, Tablet.

In “Plastic, Ahoy!” the New Horizon had to navigate the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Central Gyre. The gyre is filled with plastic, debris, and lots of sea creatures! In this lesson, students will learn how to use the RVR + littleBits + micro:bit to build a Gyre Navigator Bot that can detect and avoid obstacles!

Estimated time required: 2-3 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Robotics Kit, Tablet.

In this lesson, students will build on all the hardware and software they have used so far and take a deeper look at one specific component known as the servo motor. Students will build and test a Sample Label Bot using RVR, the littleBits servo and a micro:bit that can help the New Horizon researchers by labeling their water samples from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Estimated time required: 2-3 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Code Editor, Electronics Kit, Laptop/Desktop, Robotics Kit, Tablet.