Alice and the Robots Training

Training

Alice is a 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling stories, playing games, and learning programming concepts.  Lego Mindstorms NXT lets you design and program real robots.  You can create light-sensitive intruder robots, robots that can follow a trail, move around obstacles, listen and speak, and more!

Meeting the requirements of the Kansas State Board of Education as outlined in the Technology Education Program Standards for K-12 students, Butler is providing training in technology using a 3-D programming tool and robotics.  Teachers will be trained in Alice and Lego Mindstorms NXT in an all-day workshop that includes lessons, time for development of curriculum materials, and testing of these materials. No need to bring or buy materials to attend the training.  Textbook and training materials are provided. Butler offers the following options:

*       Select one of our one-day workshops offered during Academic year 08-09 (dates listed below).
OR

*       Request onsite training in your computer lab, if you have four or more participants.

Participants will leave with:
-   A collection of classroom tested LEGO and Alice activities
-   LEGO and Alice related resources
-   A course plan for implementation in your educational setting

Scheduled Workshops

Training will be held at the Butler of Andover 5000 Building located at 715 E. 13th Street in Andover, Kansas.
-   Monday, June 9
-   Tuesday, June 17
-   Wednesday, June 25
-   Friday, July 11

 Additional courses may be scheduled as the need dictates.

Programming Materials

*       Alice is an innovative 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share on the web. Alice is a teaching tool for introductory computing. It uses 3D graphics and a drag-and-drop interface to facilitate a more engaging, less frustrating first programming experience.  The textbook and software are provided.

*       Lego Mindstorms NXT is a programmable robotics kit available from Lego. The kit consists of Lego robotic components and a graphical programming environment that enables the creation of programs and their download to the robot.  You can create light-sensitive intruder robots, robots that can follow a path, move around obstacles, listen, speak and more.  Robots and software are provided during the training.

Objectives

*       Learn Alice software programming environment

*       Learn to create interesting computer graphics, animation, and storytelling techniques using Alice

*       Learn LEGO building techniques

*       Learn about programming with Robotics Lab Software

*       Participate in hands-on activities

*       Collaboratively develop curricula that can be integrated into high school and middle school programs

*       Establish a community of faculty to provide continuing support during the academic year

Cost
$250 

Workshop Presenter – Robert Ray

Robert has been a full-time instructor for Butler County Community College for the past five years and has been responsible for developing and overseeing implementation of the computer programming curricula. Along with over nine years of training experience, he has extensive experience in computer programming in business and industry.  Robert holds a Master of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems and is currently enrolled in a Doctorate Program at Nova Southeastern University. 

Summary

This allows educators to gain knowledge of logic and programming concepts using the Alice programming environments and LEGO hardware and software.  Educators will develop lesson plans based on Alice and/or Lego program development.  Exploration of the Alice 3-D environment and Lego programming environment will primarily be done through participation in hands-on, open-ended design projects.  The workshop is open to any K-12 teacher, informal education provider, volunteer, or member of industry interested in learning about Alice programming or LEGO Engineering.

Training Schedule