The module connects mechanics, electronics and programming: from simple robots and sensors to mechatronic assemblies. The Association works on developing robotics and electrical-engineering knowledge through practical projects and teamwork.
Key facts
- Age: For younger and older primary-school pupils, and secondary-school pupils
- Focus:
- Robotics: microcontrollers, sensors, motors, autonomy
- For people: design for people, micro:bit, testing, accessibility
- Prerequisite:
- Robotics: curiosity
- For people: none
- Ministry of Science and Education (MZO) domain: B, C
- Infokup: none (project-based / STEM, outside Infokup)
- Scope: 2 sets of learning outcomes from the curriculum, 23 topics
- Progression: groups by level of knowledge, not by age
Module aims
Robotics and mechatronics
- build a robot that moves
- read a sensor and react
- control motors and driving
- (advanced) an autonomous mechatronic system
Make for people (HCI)
- recognise what is ‘obvious’ to the user
- make a micro:bit that sends a message
- test with five people and fix it
- apply accessibility
Learning outcomes
Robotics and mechatronics. The participant assembles a machine that perceives its surroundings and carries out a task on its own, and presents it in public.
Make for people (HCI). The participant makes a piece of work that a stranger uses successfully at the first attempt, confirmed by a test with three to five people.
MZO outcomes (NN 22/2018)
Outcomes are mapped to the Informatics curriculum from the Official Gazette (Narodne novine) 22/2018. Codes are unique only within a track, so the track is stated with each code (OŠ – primary school, gimn – grammar school, PMG – science and mathematics grammar school).
- Robotics and mechatronics: A.4.2 (OŠ); C.2.1 (gimn); B.4.3 (PMG – simulation)
- Make for people (HCI): C.4.2, A.4.2 (OŠ); D.1.3 (gimn – accessibility)
Levels of mastery
Four levels describe what mastering the module means in practice. A participant progresses by level, not by age.
Robotics and mechatronics
- satisfactory: assembles a robot that moves, following instructions
- good: reads a sensor and triggers a reaction
- very good: carries out autonomous behaviour (sensor→decision)
- exceptional: builds a mechatronic system by combining sensors (PID)
Make for people (HCI)
- satisfactory: makes a badge/sign that sends a message
- good: sketches an interface for a task
- very good: tests with 3–5 people and fixes it
- exceptional: makes a piece of work a stranger uses at the first attempt, with accessibility
Breakdown
The breakdown is organised by sets of learning outcomes and levels of knowledge. A participant enrols at the level they have reached, regardless of age. Click a topic for an explanation of what it covers.
Robotics and mechatronics
16 topics · For younger and older primary-school pupils, and secondary-school pupils
Foundation level
a first robot that moves
assembling and starting a simple robot
microcontroller (blink/read)
a first program - turn an LED on, read an input
sensor
how a sensor measures the surroundings (light, distance…)
board basics
the circuit, the power supply and connecting components
Intermediate level
sensor → reaction
a robot that reacts to what it measures
actuators (servo, stepper, PWM)
actuation: servo, stepper motor, PWM position
motors and driving
controlling motors - direction and speed
power supply
batteries, voltages and a safe power supply for the system
a state machine for behaviour
robot behaviour through states and transitions
Advanced level
autonomy without a remote
a robot that decides for itself, without a remote controller
mechatronics
mechanics, electronics and software joined together
communication protocols (I2C/UART)
buses for sensors and modules (I2C, UART)
combining sensors (fusion/PID)
combining sensors and regulation (PID)
computer vision on the device
image recognition on the device itself (OpenMV/micro:bit)
introduction to ROS
Robot Operating System - the standard robotics middleware
CAD chassis
3D modelling and making a housing/chassis
Make for people (HCI)
7 topics · For younger and older primary-school pupils, and secondary-school pupils
Foundation level - physical making
a micro:bit that sends a message (badge)
a wearable badge that sends a message
a sign that communicates (not a robot)
a device that conveys a message, not a robot
Advanced level - interface
what is ‘obvious’ to the user
what the user expects with no explanation at all
an interface sketch
a quick sketch of the screen before making it
a test with five people
testing with five real users
a fix based on the test
changes according to what the test shows
accessibility basics
usable for people with disabilities too