Patton Robotics Resource Site

On-Line for Spring 2016

Teacher: Brian Patton

Email: pattonrobotics@gmail.com

Introduction to Arduino Programming and Robotics

Registration:

OPEN

Required Resources:

Arduino compatible Teensy robot kit

Technical Requirements:

Nice but not required:

Who Should Apply:

The course is intended for students in the 7^th through 12^th grades. Some exceptional 6^th-grade students may also be considered depending on space availability. Prospective students should be prepared for a self motivated course and understand that they will be expected to initiate their own study activities. Students are expected to attempt challenges, ask questions, and work as independently as practical. If a student simply follows along copying the videos and pasting the code, true learning will not occur. If a group of students are in geographic proximity of each other, a face to face challenge can be arranged that will require comprehension of the presented materials.

Course Fee, Costs:

$100  – Course Fee (Materials, as listed below, are not included in the course fee)

$75 – Robot Kit (as of 03/21/15. Prices may change. Check the web site for current prices)

Course Schedule:

Check calendar for current schedules.

Course Description:

This course is designed as an introduction to Arduino programming and electronics. Students will build various electronic circuits and learn programming techniques based upon the Teensy/Arduino Controller. Each and every learning step is goal oriented with a demonstration of new electronic skills or computer science or both. Each student will build their own robot which they can keep and modify.

Students will participate in:

Challenges include:

Instructor Background and Qualifications:

Brian Patton has a diverse background of both education and experience. As a way to pay for his degree in Environmental Science from Purdue University he owned and operated Affordable Auto Arts in Roanoke Indiana. Upon graduation in 1988 Brian got a job as a research technician at the Krannert Institute of Cardiology. It turns out that the job was offered to him not because of his degree but rather because of his mechanical experience owning an automobile repair and body shop. While doing research at the Krannert Institute Brian was responsible for the understanding and operation of several highly technical pieces of research equipment including the Flow Cytometer and Confocal Microscope as well as sterile technique and cell culture. Brian was also part of a small team of doctors who developed and patented various medical devices and therapies.

In 1995 Brian accepted a position at Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMS)in Princeton NJ. There he was responsible for bringing in new technologies to the department of cardiovascular research as well as maintaining high quality mammalian cell cultures. It was during this time at BMS that he had an opportunity to develop his passions and skills in electronics, robotics and computer science by assembling custom configured cell assay equipment and data analysis.

In 2003 Brian joined Robodyssey Systems to help develop their educational products. In 2006 the first of Brian's inventions relating to Robotics was issued and he began his teaching career at Princeton Friends School. In 2014 Brian has left both Robodyssey and Princeton Friends School to launch his company Patton Robotics LLC.