Blueprints for Module: Module1.3

{
  "programName": "The Robot Creator Program",
  "moduleID": "RC-1.3",
  "moduleTitle": "The Autonomous Explorer",
  "moduleDescription": "Building on basic navigation skills acquired in previous modules, students will delve into advanced sensor integration and programming techniques specifically for line following. This module begins with an introduction to IR (Infrared) line sensors, explaining their function in detecting lines on a surface. Students will then physically connect these sensors to their Arduino Nano and write code to interpret the sensor data, learning how to calibrate them for optimal performance. The core of the module focuses on developing and implementing basic line-following algorithms, where the robot continuously adjusts its movement based on sensor feedback to stay on a winding line, making larger corrections when further off the line and smaller adjustments when closer to it. A significant emphasis will be placed on iterative testing and debugging on a dedicated line-following track, allowing students to refine their robot's behavior for smoothness and accuracy. The module culminates in the robot successfully following a single winding line, showcasing their mastery of advanced sensor integration and autonomous navigation.",
  "capstoneProject": "A robot that successfully navigates a more complex environment, demonstrating a specific autonomous behavior: follows a single winding line.",
  "technologiesUsed": [
    "Arduino IDE",
    "Arduino boards",
    "IR line sensors",
    "motors",
    "breadboards",
    "wires",
    "test environments for specific behaviors (line following track)"
  ],
  "coreConcepts": [
    "Advanced sensor integration (IR line sensors)",
    "data interpretation from multiple sensors",
    "advanced navigation algorithms (line following, proportional control - simplified)"
  ],
  "blueprints": [
    {
      "blueprintID": "RC-1.3-BP1",
      "blueprintTitle": "Understanding Infrared Line Sensors",
      "coreObjective": "Students will understand the operating principles of IR line sensors, including how they use infrared light to differentiate between light (reflective) and dark (absorbent) surfaces.",
      "technologiesUsed": [
        "Arduino boards",
        "IR line sensors",
        "breadboards",
        "wires"
      ],
      "coreConcepts": [
        "Infrared (IR) light",
        "Surface reflectivity",
        "Sensor theory",
        "Digital signals (HIGH/LOW)"
      ],
      "lessonKnowledge": "Students will know how an IR line sensor works and what kind of data (digital HIGH/LOW) it provides based on the color of the surface beneath it.",
      "previousLessonKnowledge": "Students will possess a robot capable of basic maze navigation, a solid understanding of sensor-based obstacle avoidance, and proficiency in basic movement functions, sensor reading, and debugging robot behavior."
    },
    {
      "blueprintID": "RC-1.3-BP2",
      "blueprintTitle": "Wiring and Reading Your Line Sensors",
      "coreObjective": "Students will correctly wire multiple IR line sensors to their Arduino and write a program to read their digital states (HIGH/LOW) to the Serial Monitor.",
      "technologiesUsed": [
        "Arduino IDE",
        "Arduino boards",
        "IR line sensors",
        "breadboards",
        "wires"
      ],
      "coreConcepts": [
        "Circuit building",
        "Digital input pins",
        "Serial communication",
        "Reading sensor data"
      ],
      "lessonKnowledge": "Students will be able to physically integrate IR sensors into their robot's circuit and write Arduino code to confirm they are functioning correctly by displaying their output.",
      "previousLessonKnowledge": "Students understand the operating principles of IR line sensors and can identify their VCC, GND, and OUT pins."
    },
    {
      "blueprintID": "RC-1.3-BP3",
      "blueprintTitle": "Calibrating Sensors for the Track",
      "coreObjective": "Students will test their wired sensors on a line-following track to observe their behavior and physically adjust their height and position for optimal and reliable line detection.",
      "technologiesUsed": [
        "Arduino IDE",
        "Arduino boards",
        "IR line sensors",
        "line following track"
      ],
      "coreConcepts": [
        "Sensor calibration",
        "Thresholding",
        "Environmental variables in sensing",
        "Iterative testing"
      ],
      "lessonKnowledge": "Students will have a reliable method for testing sensor performance and will have their robot's sensors physically positioned for optimal line detection on a specific track.",
      "previousLessonKnowledge": "Students can successfully wire and read raw data from their IR line sensors to the Serial Monitor."
    },
    {
      "blueprintID": "RC-1.3-BP4",
      "blueprintTitle": "Implementing a Basic Line-Following Algorithm",
      "coreObjective": "Students will implement a simple, conditional (if-else) algorithm that makes the robot turn left, right, or go straight based on which of its sensors detect the line.",
      "technologiesUsed": [
        "Arduino IDE",
        "Arduino boards",
        "IR line sensors",
        "motors",
        "line following track"
      ],
      "coreConcepts": [
        "Conditional logic (if/else if/else)",
        "State-based control",
        "Basic autonomous algorithm",
        "Translating sensor data to action"
      ],
      "lessonKnowledge": "Students will have a robot that can follow a simple, relatively straight line, demonstrating a fundamental understanding of how to translate sensor data into motor commands.",
      "previousLessonKnowledge": "Students have calibrated their sensors for reliable line detection and have a robot platform with functioning motor control."
    },
    {
      "blueprintID": "RC-1.3-BP5",
      "blueprintTitle": "Refining Movement with Proportional Control Logic",
      "coreObjective": "Students will refine their algorithm to make corrective turns proportional to the robot's deviation from the line, enabling smoother and more accurate navigation around curves.",
      "technologiesUsed": [
        "Arduino IDE",
        "Arduino boards",
        "IR line sensors",
        "motors",
        "line following track"
      ],
      "coreConcepts": [
        "Proportional control (simplified)",
        "Error correction",
        "Algorithm refinement",
        "Data interpretation from multiple sensors"
      ],
      "lessonKnowledge": "Students will understand the difference between simple on/off control and proportional control, and their robot will navigate curves more smoothly by making smaller adjustments when close to the line and larger ones when far away.",
      "previousLessonKnowledge": "Students have a working robot that follows a line using a basic conditional algorithm and can identify its jerky movements on curves."
    },
    {
      "blueprintID": "RC-1.3-BP6",
      "blueprintTitle": "Capstone: Navigating the Full Winding Track",
      "coreObjective": "Students will iteratively test, debug, and fine-tune their robot's proportional control algorithm to successfully and reliably navigate a complete, winding line-following track from start to finish.",
      "technologiesUsed": [
        "Arduino IDE",
        "Arduino boards",
        "IR line sensors",
        "motors",
        "line following track"
      ],
      "coreConcepts": [
        "System integration",
        "Iterative debugging",
        "Performance tuning",
        "Problem-solving"
      ],
      "lessonKnowledge": "Students will have a fully functional line-following robot that successfully completes the module's capstone project, demonstrating mastery of advanced sensor integration, calibration, and autonomous navigation algorithms.",
      "previousLessonKnowledge": "Students have implemented a proportional control algorithm for smoother line following and understand how to modify code to affect the robot's turning behavior."
    }
  ]
}