Lesson 5 How Do Robots Think?

Do robots have brains? How do they make decisions?

The purpose of this lesson is to learn what subroutines are and how to use them in programming to make the programs you write for your robot more efficient.

Objectives/Outcomes:

By the time you complete this activity you should be able to:

1. Define subroutines in programming

2. Demonstrate understanding of subroutines by creating a program using subroutines

3. Demonstrate understanding of Morse code by knowing the code for S.O.S.

4. Program a robot to flash S.O.S. with lights

5. Know the definition of programming

6. Describe the overall steps to programming

7. Describe pseudo code and why it is used

8. Describe how “If conditions” are used in decision making in programs

Instructions:

View the following items and open the Worksheet document. The worksheet contains a checklist for you to check off items as you complete them, and also has questions to answer. Give the filled-out worksheet to your instructor at the completion of this activity.

Resource	Name and Link to Resource	Est. Time
Concepts Video	Introduction to Programming	min 9:05
Activity Introduction Video	KISS – Keep It Simple with Subroutines Activity 5 Overview	min 3:01
Additional Resources	Blinking Lights	min 2:09
Additional Resources	Creating/Calling Subroutines Tips
Observations Worksheet	Activity 5 Worksheet (DOC)
Activity Step by Step Instructions	Activity 5 Step by Step Instructions