How to get a 9 year old started with programming and robotics?
mclaire
Posts: 13
I have a 9 year old son telling me he'd like like to build a robot. He doesn't have any real concept of what computer programming is. But he is doing 6th grade math in his 3rd grade class.
Maybe it's not too early to get him started somehow? I've thought about Logo type programming, and that's a possibility. I also thought about Lego Mindstorms, but that probably involves too much mechanical and software work. I think I need something that would provide more immediate results/gratification than that. That's what brought me to the idea of using the BOE-BOT. But I read a few PDFs and I see what goes on on some of these forums. Plus it seems to be recommended for 12 to 14 year olds and up - that leaves me thinking this is too much to start with.
So, any ideas?
Maybe it's not too early to get him started somehow? I've thought about Logo type programming, and that's a possibility. I also thought about Lego Mindstorms, but that probably involves too much mechanical and software work. I think I need something that would provide more immediate results/gratification than that. That's what brought me to the idea of using the BOE-BOT. But I read a few PDFs and I see what goes on on some of these forums. Plus it seems to be recommended for 12 to 14 year olds and up - that leaves me thinking this is too much to start with.
So, any ideas?
Comments
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BAKER'S
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The second I drew palm trees using ^ and |, dunes /\ and a camel using the character pi that would move across the screen, anyways the point is, while I was learning BASIC around your sons age, the·control of a bot is more complex than what I was doing. The most critical factor in all this is though, how patient is your son? Is he the type to frustrate easily? If·so it may·end up collecting dust (though there is the chance he'll pick it back up after maturing a bit).·
I cannot provide you any answers on the mechanical complexity of it, because I've never assembled one. I do suggest, however, giving the folks at Parallax a call, they are very helpful and they aren't the type to pressure you into a purchase if they know your son will be incapable of·using it.
Post Edited (Paul Baker) : 3/7/2005 4:37:56 AM GMT
Post Edited (Paul Baker) : 3/7/2005 4:49:22 AM GMT
Take a good look at the box regarding system requirements.
I think M$ did some nastyness to the IR system in WinXP, so it may or may not be compatible any more.
In fact, many new laptops doesn't even have IR any more...
Also, the reason that the forums are so dead is that the users can roughly be split into two groups:
Small kids who often can't access the forums, and
Hackers who doesn't use the Lego software and therefore doesn't need the oficial forums.
And to be honest....it's always the final results that excites kids of that age!· They get bored in the details!
So, get him to help design it!· Layouts and pictures and how you want it to look and what you want it to do!· Then you'll have to go about doing most of the leg work as far as wiring and programming!
I'd say a 9yearold would love to work a bandsaw for cutting things out (under supervision of course).
And whether the thing goes boom (with lots of smoke) or it runs off leaving a trail of destruction...then it's a win and he'll probably be more eager for the next one!
just a thought!
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Steve
http://ca.geocities.com/steve.brady@rogers.com/index.html
"Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
Ray
It is akin to people sending their 5-6 year olds to do ice skating. You ever see a 6 year old do pirouettes on the ice and wonder wow how can a 6 year old do that??? Children are like silly putty, waiting to be molded·with unlimited possibilities..
With you helping and teaching him, soon he could surpass you in knowledge... You may be surprised! Electronics and robotics·are exciting so let him loose and encourage him to explore and to be creative·
My hat comes off to you for introducing your child to such a wonderful field.
Post Edited (Jonb) : 3/10/2005 11:46:49 PM GMT
I have tried unsuccessfully so far to get her to learn Java programming, so I'm happy to see her working with the Lego stuff. It's a start in learning.
Harry
One thing is for certain,·some programming concepts require in depth studies. Java like C use objects and that·may be·complex for a 12 year old. PBasic on the other hand is quite intuitive. One thing kids learn fast is procedural languages. Whats fun about Parallax' PBasic is that so many examples are available. The most usefull skill children can learn to start off is "copy and paste"
Post Edited (Jonb) : 3/10/2005 11:48:10 PM GMT