LEGO SPIKE Essential Anytime Online Training
Enjoy the convenience of taking Robotics Academy courses from anywhere in the world and at your own pace, with support and guidance from our highly qualified instructors. Anytime Online classes feature a hybrid learning model where participants receive just-in-time instructional videos as they work through course content in our learning management system.
In this training, you will learn how to teach fundamental coding concepts using the LEGO SPIKE Essential Set. Tuition includes online access to the CS-STEM Network and Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy training materials. To follow along with this course, you will need access to a LEGO SPIKE Essential Set and some inexpensive classroom materials (not included with tuition).
The LEGO SPIKE Essential Anytime Online Training equips teachers with the skills and knowledge to effectively implement the Fundamentals of Coding with SPIKE Essential curriculum in their classrooms. This training prepares educators to introduce elementary students to coding and STEM concepts through engaging activities using the LEGO SPIKE Essential kit. Teachers will learn how to guide students in building and programming robots, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and an understanding of real-world coding applications. The training also emphasizes the integration of coding exercises with unplugged activities, ensuring students develop both technical skills and creative problem-solving abilities through playful exploration.
Syllabus
Unit 1: Light Up Snackbot
Students will build a robot inspired by Snackbot, a machine designed to deliver snacks in an office setting. They will program the robot to communicate using lights and sounds, utilizing the Light Matrix to display colored patterns and messages through simple sequences.
Teachers will learn how to guide students in building and programming the Snackbot, focusing on the basics of sequencing to control the Light Matrix. In this unit, teachers will also explore the concept of "Icebergs," understanding that misunderstandings in robotics are often more significant than they initially appear. They will learn strategies to help students uncover and address these deeper issues, ensuring a strong foundation in both coding and problem-solving.
Unit 2: Spinny Snackbot
Students will enhance their Snackbot by attaching a motor and programming it to spin, enabling the robot to deliver snacks. This unit introduces basic motor programming, allowing students to control the robot's movements.
Teachers will learn how to instruct students on motor programming, guiding them through the process of attaching and coding the motor to achieve specific movements. They will also explore effective teaching strategies for helping students understand the relationship between coding and physical actions.
Unit 3: Buggy Bugs
Students will build a fun robot that combines a Light Matrix and a motor, and they will encounter and identify errors, or "bugs," in their programs. Through this unit, students will learn how to debug their code by identifying issues and creating plans to fix them.
Teachers will learn how to teach the critical skill of debugging using the STAR troubleshooting method. This approach will guide educators in helping students systematically identify, analyze, and resolve coding errors. Teachers will also explore strategies for fostering problem-solving and logical thinking as students troubleshoot and refine their robot builds, ensuring they can effectively tackle coding challenges.
Unit 4: Journey on the Moon
Students will build a robot resembling Iris, a lunar rover designed to collect geological data on the moon. They will program their Iris robot to move forward and explore the lunar surface, learning about measurement and linear movements using two motors.
Teachers will learn how to instruct students on programming precise linear movements with dual motors, emphasizing the importance of measurement in controlling the robot's movements. This unit also introduces teachers to the concept of iterative design, guiding them on how to encourage students to test, refine, and improve their robot designs and code through repeated cycles of prototyping and feedback.
Unit 5: Dodging Craters
Students will continue using their Iris robot and program it to perform multiple sequential movements, including turns, to avoid craters on the moon. This unit teaches students how to control the robot’s path by integrating turning commands into their sequences.
Teachers will learn how to guide students in programming more complex sequences that include both linear movements and turns. They will also explore strategies for helping students understand the importance of sequence order and timing in navigating obstacles.
Unit 6: Strawberry Spotting
Students will build the Strawberry Plant Sorter, a robot that moves back and forth on a linear rail to inspect strawberries (represented by a red ball piece). Using the Color Sensor, they will program the robot to detect and identify ripe, red strawberries.
Teachers will learn how to guide students in planning their robot's actions and behaviors, emphasizing the importance of pre-planning and breaking down tasks before coding. This unit also covers the use of pseudocode as a tool for mapping out robot behaviors, helping students translate their plans into structured code. Teachers will gain strategies for teaching these concepts to ensure students can effectively design, plan, and implement their robot's functionality.
The following is required to complete this course:
- LEGO SPIKE Essential Set – Sold Separately We recommend the LEGO SPIKE Essential Set as the base kit for the course. Substitutions are permitted as long as builds reflect the intended learning goals.
- Color printer and paper for printouts
- Markers and colored pencils
- Meterstick
- Glue
- Scissors
- Tape
Computer System Requirements
- Up-to-date Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook
- Modern Web Browser and PDF Viewer
- At least one available USB port
- Broadband Internet connection
Cost - $299
Use the links to the right to register or checkout instantly.
Upon Completion
- ACT 48 credits for Pennsylvania teachers
- Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Certification for course completion that may be used to apply for Continuing Education hours
Policies
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Certificate of Completion Requirements
To earn the Certification, class attendees must complete all course assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor and pass the certification exam.
Class Eligibility
Classes at the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy are available to individuals who are at least 18 years of age and minors who have parental consent to enroll. The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy reserves the right to restrict, suspend or terminate any student for violation of these policies. In consideration of your involvement with the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, you agree to provide true, accurate and current information about yourself when you register. If you provide any information that is inaccurate or if the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy has reasonable grounds to suspect the information is inaccurate, the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy has the right to terminate your account.
Payment
Purchasing a seat to online classes gives access to one participant only. Resources distributed as part of the class are for use of the participant only. Purchase Orders are also acceptable. Please contact the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy at cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu for information about registering for the course, and payment for the course. Please email if you have questions about the content of the course.
Internet Access / Bandwidth Fees
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy is not responsible for any internet access or bandwidth fees you incur while taking this class.
International Export Controls
International enrollment is subject to applicable the United States export controls and laws.
Refunds
Refunds are generally not available for Anytime Online Training. Please contact the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy at cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu for more information.
Copyrighted Class Material
All course documents are owned by the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy. These materials may not be reprinted in any form except those specified for instructional purposes. The course documents and presentations may be displayed and printed for personal, non-commercial use only. Only students registered for this course may access this material. The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy makes every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date content. However, we have no liability for the accuracy, content, or accessibility of the hyperlinks included with class material.
Use of Student Material
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy reserves the right to use coursework done by students for the purpose of advancing the educational mission of the Academy. When this occurs, students will be given the option to have their name credited to the material. This includes, but is not limited to, text, graphics, multimedia and other material created as part of the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy online course assignments.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy harmless from any and all losses, actions, controversies, suits, demands, claims, liabilities or any causes of action whatsoever. You expressly agree that the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy is not responsible or liable for any infringement of another’s rights, including intellectual property rights.
Note: Policies are subjected to occasional revisions.