CS-STEM Curriculum

Robotics Integration introduces students to situations where technicians receive multiple components of a robotics system that require assembly, installation, and debugging. Students learn how to integrate components such as a vision sensor (camera) system, breadboard, servo motors, and embedded microprocessor from multiple hardware vendors. The learner will "unpack and test" components and refine “robot navigation programming" through this curriculum.

Fabrication Foundations introduces students to hand tools to cut, drill, and file down multiple materials to create a robot chassis and motor mount. Students also learn how to use additive manufacturing (3D printing) to create a sensor mount. The skills taught include safety, basic measurement, reading and interpreting drawings, basic hand tool use, and handling materials.

Mechanical Foundations focuses on mechanical concepts such as structural design, weight distribution, drivetrains, fastening, the relationship between speed and torque, and alternate methods of transferring motion such as linear slides and belts and pulleys. This curriculum familiarizes students with the foundational skills needed to understand how components come together and different use cases for creating motion. 

Software Foundations is an introduction to programming concepts. Students who complete this curriculum demonstrate an understanding of the software engineering process through repeated planning, testing, and iteration throughout the units. Students also learn basic robot movement, how to use feedback from different kinds of sensors, and how to create complex programs using loops and decision-making logic.

Electrical Foundations focuses on the foundational concepts around basic electricity and how circuits work. In this course, students learn how to use multimeters to measure various parts of a circuit. Students learn how to control signals using a microcontroller, how to utilize binary sensors like Limit Switches, and analog sensors like an Ultrasonic Sensor. The culminating project is an e-panel consisting of all of the components found in a typical robotic system.

Introduction to Programming provides a structured sequence of programming activities in real-world project-based contexts. The projects are designed to get students thinking about the patterns and structure of not just robotics, but also programming and problem-solving more generally. This curriculum includes videos, animations, and step-by-step lessons designed to help beginners learn behavior-based programming using the VEX IQ hardware and ROBOTC Graphical programming software.

The VEX EDR Cortex Video Trainer provides a structured sequence of programming activities. The activities are designed to get students thinking about the patterns and structure of not just robotics, but also programming and problem-solving more generally. This curriculum includes videos, animations, and step-by-step lessons designed to help beginners learn behavior-based programming using the VEX EDR Cortex hardware and ROBOTC Text programming software.

Introduction to Programming provides a structured sequence of programming activities in real-world project-based contexts. The projects are designed to get students thinking about the patterns and structure of not just robotics, but also programming and problem-solving more generally. This curriculum includes videos, animations, and step-by-step lessons designed to help beginners learn behavior-based programming using the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 hardware and EV3-G icon-based programming software.

 FRC: Applying for your Electrical Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a FIRST Robotics Competition team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. The SMART Electrical Foundations Micro-Certification, brought to you by FIRST and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through FIRST.

Electrical Foundations covers basic wiring and electrical tasks commonly performed by technicians on robotics systems.

To apply for yours:

**Requires purchasing Student Certification Access and have CMRA or a CMRA Certified instructor approve uploads

FRC: Applying for your Fabrication Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a FIRST Robotics Competition team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by FIRST and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through FIRST.

The Fabrication Foundations Micro-Certification covers cutting, measuring, drilling, and 3D printing which are commonly performed by technicians on robotics systems.

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:

FRC: Applying for your Mechanical Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a FIRST Robotics Competition team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by FIRST and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through FIRST.

The Mechanical Foundations Micro-Certification covers structural design, weight distribution, drivetrains, fastening, and speed and torque which are common concepts robotics technicians need to understand.

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:

FRC: Applying for your Robotics Integration Micro-Certification
As a member of a FIRST Robotics Competition team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by FIRST and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through FIRST.

The Robotics Integration Micro-Certification covers situations where technicians may receive a large industrial system that requires assembly and installation. Learners must provide evidence of unpacking and testing, testing navigation programming, and vision system integration. 

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:

FRC: Applying for your Software Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a FIRST Robotics Competition team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by FIRST and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through FIRST.

The Software Foundations Micro-Certification covers all of the concepts that were covered in Robotics Integrations as well as programming sensors, and a vision system (or camera).

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:

VRC: Applying for your Fabrication Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by RECF and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through VRC.

The Fabrication Foundations Micro-Certification covers cutting, measuring, drilling, and 3D printing which are commonly performed by technicians on robotics systems.

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:

VRC: Applying for your Mechanical Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by RECF and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through VRC.

The Mechanical Foundations Micro-Certification covers structural design, weight distribution, drivetrains, fastening, and speed and torque which are common concepts robotics technicians need to understand.

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:

VRC: Applying for your Fabrication Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by RECF and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through VRC.

The Robotics Integration Micro-Certification covers situations where technicians may receive a large industrial system that requires assembly and installation. Learners must provide evidence of unpacking and testing, testing navigation programming, and vision system integration.

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours:

VRC: Applying for your Software Foundations Micro-Certification
As a member of a VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) team, you have built up a number of valuable technical skills. Micro-Certifications, brought to you by RECF and the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, let you showcase these skills as part of a college application or resume, or simply let others know what you have accomplished through VRC.

The Software Foundations Micro-Certification covers all of the concepts that were covered in Robotics Integrations as well as programming sensors, and a vision system (or camera).

The exam portion of this Micro-Certification will test your knowledge of these concepts to determine if you meet or exceed the foundational knowledge needed as a Robotics Technician.

To apply for yours: