Workshop Descriptions

“Masters of Mobility” is a 3-Day Workshop, designed to expose teachers and students to the Connected & Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) Technology that is a fundamental to today’s Mobility Industry.

The session provides an introduction to Micro:bit microcontroller hardware and programming through the “lens” of Autonomous Vehicle Technology.  The instruction begins from “Square One”, assuming that participants have no previous programming experience.  By the end of the first session, teachers are able to program robotic vehicles to read a variety of on-board sensors, make decisions, and function autonomously.

Participants also delve into AI technology, using AI Cameras to collect data that's then used to inform decision making by their robotic vehicles.

Masters of Mobility Participants leave the workshop with hardware packages for classroom use, and are prepared to share this exciting and emerging technology with their students.

This established Square One challenge will be woven into the Modeling in HS Physical Science framework to deploy a wave model utilizing Micro:bit microcontrollers, robotic vehicles, and sensor technology in an engaging classroom challenge with a connected and autonomous vehicle theme.

What’s included?

• A detailed instructional module using Modeling pedagogy that will equip teachers with technical explanations, classroom activities and instructions on how to conduct a classroom challenge.

• Hardware and materials for student use

• An understanding of the societal issues implied by the “mobility” revolution, the crossroads of automotive and information technology!

• Facilitated instruction in Micro:bit coding and constructing a robotic vehicle system.

• A real-world deployment of wave phenomena especially as it relates to digital communication.

• New connections to STEM professionals who are contributing to the mobility revolution in Michigan.

Educators for 3-12 grade youth, with an interest in hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines as they apply to the marine environment are invited to attend this exciting 2-day workshop that provides a truly unique educational opportunity.

Participants will receive an instruction manual, materials and support to design, engineer and build a fully functional underwater remotely operated vehicle or ROV.   STEM skills and activities presented in this workshop support standards and benchmarks in science, engineering, math and technology. Each team will receive lessons, design and build a fully functional ROV complete with control box, power source, and optical system valued at over $800.

Square One’s intent is to provide a resource for teachers who wish to integrate a higher degree of technology and sophistication into their ROV program. Embracing the digital world requires a different thought process. Once the digital foundation is laid, a whole new avenue of motor control, communication and data collection is available for the ROV builder.

These workshops should be taken sequentially.

Target Participants: 3rd –12th grade educators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics or any other discipline that has interest in a great degree of technology in the ROV design and building process.

Topics

Analog vs. Digital

Prototyping

Motor controller interface

Introduction to Arduino

Proportional Motor Control

Adding a Human Interface (joystick)

Controlling a robotic claw

Sensor theory

Passive sensors

Serial Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

Arduino micro-controller technology provides the ability to fully customize science demonstration and data collection tools in a very affordable way.

In the workshop, participants will….

• learn about microcontrollers and programming fundamentals

• be introduced to Arduino and sensor hardware

• be introduced to Arduino programming language

• build a fully functioning data logger

• discuss applications for a variety of classroom contexts

• be empowered with this basic understanding to launch further investigations & projects with their students

The workshop is specifically designed for complete beginners, no experience necessary. Our learning will be particularly useful for teachers in Biology, Physics, Programming / Computers, Technology, Electronics and “STEM” content areas, among others. This work will also provide a very good foundation for teachers involved in the Square One Innovative Vehicle Design Challenges.

Participants will receive:

• Lunch

• SCECHs (we’ll cover the cost)

• Data-logger hardware, hard copy resources, and access to digital resources valued over $100

Participants must bring a windows or mac laptop with the Arduino IDE installed. 

Full Scale IVD Student Engineers design and build go-kart size electric vehicles to travel the furthest possible distance in timed heats.  Students most focus on minimizing losses and maximizing efficiency, while learning about aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, vehicle dynamics, and more.  This introductory workshop provides a wonderful starting point for new coaches, or can be a great "refresher" for veteran coaches.  

Visit the IVD Program Page for more information. 

Mini IVD Student Engineers re-engineer high performance 1/10th scale electric RC vehicles.  Students strive to maximize vehicle performance by designing and implementing a rigorous iterative test regimen.  Students explore the impact had on overall vehicle performance by characteristics such as tire type & size, gear ratios, shock fluid densities, and more.    This introductory workshop provides a wonderful starting point for new coaches, or can be a great "refresher" for veteran coaches.  

Visit the IVD Program Page for more information. 

Autonomous IVD Student Engineers re-engineer a toddler PowerWheels Jeep to function as an autonomous vehicle, capable of parallel parking, lane following, collision avoidance, platooning, and more.  Students install hardware and program AIVD vehicles to mimic the functionality of Connected & Autonomous Vehicles in today’s marketplace.  This introductory workshop provides a wonderful starting point for new coaches, or can be a great "refresher" for veteran coaches.  

Visit the IVD Program Page for more information.