Robotics Academy Certified Training for LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime (Online)
This course utilizes the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime hardware and software (not included with registration). However, you can utilize CMRA's Virtual SPIKE Prime if you do not have a physical SPIKE Prime available (single license included with registration)! A headset is also highly recommended in order to participate in the course.
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This training course offers a range of benefits for teachers and coaches who want to teach robotics and STEM concepts using the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime robot and Scratch-based programming software. The course is particularly well-suited for teachers and coaches who are new to programming and wish to learn the fundamentals of robot programming as well as the pedagogy associated with CS-STEM concepts. However, experienced teachers with programming and robotics backgrounds will also benefit from the course, especially with its focus on the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime, hands-on practice in troubleshooting student errors, and integration of STEM concepts.
Educators will learn how to leverage our research-based curricula including Coding and Computational Thinking with LEGO SPIKE Prime as well as Coding and Computational Thinking with Virtual SPIKE Prime in their own classrooms. Teachers and coaches may also complete the included certification exam, and in doing so, become an official Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Certified Educator, authorizing them to offer similar rigorous and evidence-based certifications to their students.
Supported Competitions and Programs
Teachers and coaches who support students in robotics competitions, such as FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and World Robot Olympiad (WRO), will find the course invaluable for gaining knowledge, techniques, and community. The course offers a practical approach to learning, with a focus on hands-on activities and problem-solving exercises that will help educators better understand the concepts and develop effective teaching strategies.
Alignment with Standards
Our courses are aligned to:
- Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Standards
- National Research Council Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
- Common Core Mathematics Standards (CCSS)
- College Board Computer Science Principles (CSP) Framework
- Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCELA)
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards
- International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) Standards
By taking this course, teachers can gain a range of benefits, including customizable learning, networking opportunities, and the chance to earn professional development credits and a Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Certification. Most importantly, the course empowers teachers to effectively teach robotics and CS-STEM concepts, helping their students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that are essential for success in the 21st-century workforce.
Syllabus (subject to change)
Session 1: Introduction
– Pedagogy– Course Logistics
– LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime
– Programming Software
– Downloading and Running Code
– Programming the Hub
– Moving Forward
Session 2: Moving & Mathematics
– LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime Programs– Robot Math: Proportionality and Movement
– Movement and Turning
– Arm Control
– Movement Challenges
Session 3: Robot Sensors (Continued)
– What is a robot?
– Sensors: Distance, Color, and Force
– Program Flow
– Robot Decision Making: “Wait for…” Behaviors
– Sensor Challenges
Session 4: Decision Making
– Loops
– If-Else/Decisions
– Repeated Decisions: Discrete
– Repeated Decisions: Continuous
– Obstacle Detection and Line Following
Session 5: Planning and Troubleshooting
– Troubleshooting for Student Understanding
– Planning, Pseudocode, and Process
– Search and Rescue Challenge
– Using CS2N for our Classrooms
The following items are needed in order to take this course:
- LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime Robot Kit – Sold Separately ()
- If you do not have a physical robot, you can use the Virtual SPIKE Prime (single license included with your registration) to complete the course!
- Programming Software (Scratch-based Software) ()
System Requirements
- An up-to-date Windows PC, Mac, Chromebook, Android Tablet, or iPad compatible with the and
- An up-to-date Internet Browser
- An available USB port or Bluetooth for robot connectivity
- A Headset or microphone (to join in on the discussions!)
- A broadband Internet connection
Additional Materials
– Black electrical tape
– Hard, flat, blank surface approximately 4′ x 4′ in size.
– Yard or Meter stick
– Hardcover books (or other objects to act as obstacles)
– Colored items (to use with color sensor)
Tuition Cost - $699
Use the links to the top-right to register or checkout instantly.
Upon Completion
- 36 ACT 48 credits for Pennsylvania teachers
- Opportunity to earn a Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy Certification stating 36 hours of professional development
Policies
Privacy
We will only use personal information (such as name, mailing address or e-mail address) contained in your registration or correspondence to respond to your questions or provide Robotics Academy updates. If you enter a chat area or post messages, remember that other users may have access to your email address and user name. The Robotics Academy will not share any personal information provided by you with any unauthorized person or company except where the disclosure is required by law or is necessary to comply with legal process.
Certificate of Completion Requirements
To earn the Certification, class attendees must complete all homework assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor and pass the certification exam.
Class Eligibility
Classes at the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy are available to individuals who are at least 18 years of age. The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy reserves the right to restrict, suspend or terminate any student for violation of these policies. In consideration of your involvement with the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, you agree to provide true, accurate and current information about yourself when you register. If you provide any information that is inaccurate or if the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy has reasonable grounds to suspect the information is inaccurate, the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy has the right to terminate your account.
Payment
Purchasing a seat to online classes gives access to one participant only. Resources distributed as part of the class are for use of the participant only. Purchase Orders are also acceptable. Please contact the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy at cmra@nrec.ri.cmu.edu for information about registering for the course, payment for the course, or if the course will be held. Please email if you have questions about the content of the course.
Internet Access / Bandwidth Fees
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy is not responsible for any internet access or bandwidth fees you incur while taking this class.
International Export Controls
International enrollment is subject to applicable United States export controls and laws.
Refunds
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy will offer partial refunds for tuition expenses only if class registrants contact us prior to the beginning of the first class.
Copyrighted Class Material
All course documents are owned by the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy. These materials may not be reprinted in any form except those specified for instructional purposes. The course documents and presentations may be displayed and printed for personal, non-commercial use only. Only students registered for this course may access this material. The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy makes every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date content. However, we have no liability for the accuracy, content, or accessibility of the hyperlinks included with class material.
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy will host materials including live session recordings and presentations for up to one year from the completion of the course. Participants are expected to download these materials for their long-term reference.
Use of Student Material
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy reserves the right to use coursework done by students for the purpose of advancing the educational mission of the Academy. When this occurs, students will be given the option to have their name credited to the material. This includes, but is not limited to, text, graphics, multimedia and other material created as part of the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy online course assignments.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy harmless from any and all losses, actions, controversies, suits, demands, claims, liabilities or any causes of action whatsoever. You expressly agree that the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy is not responsible or liable for any infringement of another’s rights, including intellectual property rights.
Note: Policies are subjected to occasional revisions.