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KS3 & KS4 computing curriculum

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Computing
Year 11

Using physical computing to create a robot buggy

8 lessons

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  • Computing systems
  • Design and development
  • Programming

Description

This unit introduces pupils to physical computing by building a robotic buggy. They will use a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller to explore inputs and outputs, and utilise a range of hardware components, including motors, reflective optical sensors, LEDs, and an ultrasonic sensor.

This unit progresses pupils' knowledge and understanding of physical computing. It starts with the creation of basic circuits and builds up their usage and confidence each lesson, as it incorporates programming a new piece of hardware with different inputs and outputs. By the end of the unit, pupils should have a good understanding of microcontrollers and embedded systems in general, as well as conceptual and practical experience of physically connecting input/output devices to GPIO pins, obtaining data from sensors, and using this data to make decisions.

  1. Introduction to physical computing
  2. Working with motors
  3. Chassis design and build
  4. Ultrasonic sensors to measure distance
  5. Optical sensors for navigation
  6. Creating an autonomous vehicle
  7. Adding additional features to your buggy
  8. Presenting a physical computing project

67 units shown,

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