Software Foundations with Arduino (Shieldbot) is an introduction to programming concepts, aligned to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities of a Robotics Technician. Students who complete this curriculum demonstrate an understanding of the software engineering process through repeated planning, testing, and iteration throughout the units. Students also learn basic robot movement, how to use feedback from different kinds of sensors, and how to create complex programs using loops and decision-making logic.
About the Curriculum
Software Foundations is broken down into 5 units:
- Testbed with Arduino
- Open-Loop Navigation with Arduino
- Sensing with Arduino
- Camera Navigation with Arduino
- Camera Programming with Arduino
Each unit of the curriculum is strategically scaffolded with videos, animations, and step-by-step lessons designed to help learners understand the fundamentals of software engineering with the Arduino and C++ programming software.
Software Foundations is one of the key components of the SMART Robotics Technician Program. The SMART Robotics Technician Program consists of micro-certifications and courses that were designed to foreground industry-aligned knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of Robotics Technicians in the industry. The SMART Robotics Technician Program is formally endorsed by the ARM Institute.
The ARM Institute is the nation’s leading collaborative in robotics and workforce innovation, working at the confluence of industry, government, and academia. The institute and its diverse membership base includes start-ups, research universities, community colleges, manufacturers of all sizes, government agencies, workforce development organizations, and more. The ARM Endorsement Program is a thorough process used to identify the best of the best – organizations that offer education that meets or exceeds advanced manufacturing job requirements. The program is unique in that it was conceptualized and created through its 300-member national consortium, giving equal voice to manufacturer, education providers and government needs. The Program draws upon a competency and skills framework that supports a manufacturing robotics career pathway, exclusively developed and validated by the ARM Institute national consortium.
Robot Platform Options
In addition to the Arduino, Software Foundations may also be completed using the VEX V5 or VEX EXP.
Teacher Training and Certification
Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy offers both Onsite Teacher Training for Arduino Shieldbot and Online Teacher Training for Arduino Shieldbot for formal and informal educators. Educators who have been trained and certified are able to offer Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy certifications in their own classrooms.
The course is particularly well-suited for teachers and coaches who are new to programming, robotics, and embedded systems and wish to learn these fundamentals as well as the pedagogy associated with STEM concepts. Experienced teachers with programming and robotics backgrounds will also benefit from the course, especially with its focus on the Arduino microcontroller, hands-on practice in troubleshooting student errors, and integration of STEM concepts. The course offers significant value to makerspaces looking to expand their offerings. By incorporating the course, makerspaces can provide their members with the opportunity to learn about robotics and STEM concepts in a hands-on, interactive environment.
Implementation Guidance
We�ve put together a guide for organizations who wish to implement the SMART Robotics Technician Program. It contains descriptions for each course, links to needed materials, and costs. Click here to access the Implementer�s Guide.