​Robotics this week at Capalaba was all about learning how to use the robot’s colour sensor and adding display text to the robot. We started off explaining to the participants the difference between all the sensors that can be added to the robot e.g. touch sensor, gyro sensor, ultrasonic sensor etc. We focused on the colour sensor and using it to differentiate between different colours, then using those different colours to guide what our robot does.
 
After the participants added the colour sensor to their robot, it was their task to drive between two lines that were taped to the floor: a black line and blue line, and stop after reaching the blue line. Once they completed the task (with ease), it was time to move on to learning how to use display blocks on their robot.
 
The display block function on the robot can be used for many different things such as displaying a picture at the end of the code, or the robot can display words on the Lego eV3 screen. This text display is what we focused on in the second half of the lesson. The participants started with learning how to use the display box and what it can display, then it was their task to get their robot coded so that it would display two rows of words, at the same time for 3 seconds. Like every task that we have set for the participants, they nailed it.
 
Next week, in Robotics, we will be focusing on how to code the robots to follow a line. 

Week two of Code Club was all about starting to create games using the Makey Makey as the controls.  This week it was all about adding sounds, and whatever finishing touches the game needed. We had games ranging from a make-your-own-music band to a pony and cheesy puff adventure. The games were all very well done!
 
In week two of Robotics, the participants learnt about coding their robot to go straight and how to turn. We started off with an easy challenge of starting on one line, and moving to the next line. And once the participants had mastered this, it was time to move from one line, move to the next line and back again. This challenge was easy for the participants so their next challenge was to work as a team and to code their robots to create a Mexican wave. It took a few attempts, but it was done with ease! The second half of the lesson was learning how to code their robot to turn and move in a square. This challenge proved to be a bit more difficult, but again, the participants rose to the challenge and successfully coded their robot to move in a square. Well done to the participants!

​Capalaba Library started the term off strong for both Code Club and Robotics club. The first week of Code Club was all about the participants learning about Makey Makey and connecting the internet to everyday objects. The participants were given a range of materials which they had to explore whether they were conductive or not.  With the conductive materials they created a drum kit on Scratch, where a certain sound would play when they hit a certain material. It was a very successful session, with all of the participants asking whether we would do it again next week.
                                             
 
Participants this term in Robotics Club will once again look at the EV3 Lego Mindstorms and learn the basics of coding and troubleshooting their robot. The first week was all about building their robot and working out how to start the robot and how to run the demo program. The participants were incredibly excited and got all the work done with time to spare!
As the participants were building their robot, the presenters asked the question “If you could build and program a Robot, what would it do?” The responses ranged from a robot designed to clean a room, to a robot that makes pizza (yum).  And this is the question that starts the process of thinking, “what can I actually do to make this robot perform this task….” And “what do I need to do to make this a reality”. This is what we aim to inspire at the Redland Libraries Robotics club.