Introducing: The Finch
Workshop Outline
• The Story of the Finch
• Finch Hardware
• Software and Assignments
• Time to Program!
The CSbots Program
• Using robots as
tools in CS
Education
– Retention
– Learning
• Modular approach
to curriculum
• NSF CCLI program
3
Design: Information Sources
• Previous studies
• Instructor and
Textbook Surveys
• Participatory design
with educators
– Community Colleges
– High schools
Design: Identifying Constraints
• Individual ownership and home use
– Low-cost
– Portable
– Robust
– Support multiple platforms
• Aesthetically appealing
• Richly interactive
• Should “Just work”
• Minimal changes to existing courses
Low-cost Personal Robot
$99
Sensors and Outputs
Robustness
Satisfying Constraints
• Individual ownership
and home use
–
–
–
–
Low-cost
Portable
Robust
Support multiple
platforms
• Aesthetically appealing
• Richly interactive
• Should “Just work”
• USB Tether
• Multiple
sensors/outputs
• Plastic shell with input
from students
That last constraint…
• Minimal changes to existing courses
• Assignments are aligned to traditional concepts
• Tethering, portability, multi-platform support
• Support as many languages as possible
Programming
Grades 3-6
• CREATE Lab Visual Programmer, Finch
Dreams (based on Alice 2.2), Snap! (based on
Scratch)
Grades 7-9
• Finch Dreams, Python, Processing, Snap!
Grades 10+
• Java, Javascript, Greenfoot, Python,
Processing, Scala, C++, Matlab, Visual Basic,
Snap!
More languages are coming!
www.finchrobot.com
• Multi-purpose site
• Assignments
• Software
• Documentation/Forums
Finch Uses in the Classroom
• Use it to enhance regular assignments
• Extra challenge for gifted/bored students
• Advertising to next year’s class
– Display student projects
– Demo to visiting 8th graders
• Use it to provide high school students
tutoring opportunities to younger students
Time to Program
• First step: Make it move and talk in Jython.
• Next steps:
– Make Finch Dance
– Make a Finch alarm clock
• After Lunch:
– Snap! with Finch
Wrap-up: Teasers
• Snap!
• Finch wireless backpack (Freebird)
• Hummingbird
Snap! (formerly BYOB)
• In-browser javascript-based drag and drop
programming environment
• Adds making your own blocks and
recursion to Scratch
• Works with Finch!
• Live Demo
Wireless backpack
•
•
•
•
Will work on existing Finches
Will work with existing software
Android too!
Adds ports for distance sensors,
prototyping, and encoders
• Anticipated Cost: $99 for backpack, $35
for rangefinders, $35 for encoders.
• Live Demo
Hummingbird Robotics Kit
• Kit with a robot controller, LEDs, sensors,
and motors
• Make robots out of arts and crafts
materials
• Aimed at ages 11+ (13 w/o supervision)
• No technical/programming experience
required
• $199
www.hummingbirdkit.com
The End!
• Buy (another) Finch today!