Course Syllabus

Scientific Research and Design II: Electronic and Robotics

Academy of Science and Technology

Mrs. Karen Humes

  

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Email: khumes@conroeisd.net

Academy Office: 936-709-3250

Conference Period: 11:00 am - 11:45 am

 

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Electronics is a science that attempts to describe and predict the behavior of electrons in a variety of materials. It is essentially a branch of applied physics. The objects involved are atomic instead of macroscopic, and the rules that govern their behavior are not the simple Newtonian mechanics that most students learn during their first experience with high school physics. You have a unique opportunity, as few high school students do any electronics beyond simple series and parallel circuits.

 

COURSE ACTIVITIES:

The goal of this course is to help you develop a basic understanding of electronics concepts and principles. To achieve this goal, we will spend the first nine weeks of the course learning some basic electronics and how to manipulate some simple integrated circuit chips. Most of what you learn will be from direct laboratory experience.

The second nine weeks will focus on digital logic circuits. We will also spend time exploring the use of a microcontroller called a Basic Stamp.

During the third nine weeks we will start working on robotics. You will learn how to combine sensors and motors with a Basic Stamp to build a simple robot.

The fourth nine weeks will be spent exploring control systems and robotics as you build and program autonomous robots to negotiate courses and solve engineering challenges. 

You will be documenting your laboratory experiences in your laboratory journal on a daily basis. Journal entries describe circuits, observations, derivations, calculations and answers to questions. Although you may use the same data and graphs as your partner(s) and discuss concepts with your classmates, all entries should reflect your own understanding of the concepts and the meaning of the data and graphs you are presenting. It is ultimately your responsibility to see that your entries reflect a sound understanding of the phenomena you are observing and analyzing. 

In addition to in class activities, you will have regular quizzes and assignments in class or in Canvas to help evaluate your progress. Technical reports and exams will be used to evaluate your mastery of course content.

 

MATERIALS:

You need to bring a graph composition notebook that will serve as your laboratory journal. 

While I supply the electronic components for your robot, you may need to spend some of your own money for  the materials needed to build your robot. Examples of items you might be purchasing are plywood, casters, and drive wheels. See me if you need financial help, as I can almost always find a way to get the cost covered.

 

COURSE EXPECTATIONS:

In-class written work will consist primarily of documenting your class activities. You are required to keep notes in a journal. We will make a practice of completing your journal entries before leaving class. During class sessions, your willingness to help classmates and ability to be self-sufficient will be critical to our success as a group. Before I check a problem circuit, a classmate must check it. During experiments, make sure everyone in your group has a clear understanding of what happened and what it means. You are expected to be participating actively in the class sessions at all times. 

The school-wide expectations of academic integrity and respect for all people are also expectations of this classroom and this instructor.

 

 GRADING:

Major grades, including technical reports, projects and exams count for 75% of your grade. Minor grades, including in-class activities, lab summaries, homework and quizzes count for 25% of your grade. Tests and technical reports will always be announced in advance; quizzes will be given regularly, and may be announced or not. Your journal will be collected periodically and will count as a major grade. Other daily assignments will be given due dates when they are handed out. 

Late work is accepted for a maximum score of 70%. Once the assignment has been returned to the class, no more late work will be accepted. 

 

ATTENDANCE:

As this is a project-based course, your regular attendance will increase your performance in class. However, some absences are unavoidable. You are responsible for finding out what you missed while absent. You will have three school days to turn in make-up work, after which time a zero will be entered in my gradebook. Homework assigned before the absence is due on the day you return. All make-up tests are taken after school. Additional time may be granted for make-up work if arrangements are made before the end of the make-up period. Because we spend so much time building projects, you may need to find a way to make up the missed class time. 

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

You are encouraged to discuss and debate the ideas in any of your assignments with your instructor, lab partners, and other classmates. If you work on an assignment cooperatively, rather than independently, you may share ownership of spreadsheet, graph, and diagram files based on data you have taken with partners.  However, any other spreadsheet or written assignments must be expressed in your own words. Thus, you may not copy (even with some modification) assignments, journal entries, or written material on examinations.  If there is reasonable evidence of copying, it will be construed as cheating. 

 

TUTORING:

If you are having difficulty understanding the material presented, it is your responsibility to get extra help.  I will typically be available for tutorials Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 2:45 – 3:15 pm.  It is always a good idea to check with me beforehand to ensure my availability in case I have duty or a meeting scheduled.  It is also a great idea to form a study group.  Do not wait until you are completely frustrated and confused, seek help early!