Common Class Materials

Gr. 5 to 6 (all levels) or Gr. 7 to 8 (up to I & II) : Robotics Projects Group.

Required Materials for practice at home

Get a Mindstorms EV3 or NXT robot to practice at home

Attention! You have an option to purchase a robot unit at a small fraction of the original cost. In addition, you will be provided the software license to the RobotC programming software ($79 retail) for free as well.  Click here to view details. Do note that this is not the latest Mindstorms Spike (non-compatible with the programming language that we use for class).

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Gr. 7 to 8 (I & II - Analytics) : Robotics Projects Group.

Required Materials for practice at home:

1. Makeblock Ranger core set.
   Makeblock platform offers much higher hardware expandability than the current LEGO Mindstorms set with only 1/3 the cost.
2. MakeBlock Me RJ25 Adapter
3. Makeblock Me Color Sensor
4. MakeBlock 9g Micro Servo Pack
5. Breadboards for prototyping.
6. Quality jumper wires- A few Premium Male/Male, Female/Male should be sufficient.

Download and Install

• Arduino C IDE
• MakeBlock IDE (both are free).

Gr. 8+ : Algorithms in C/C++ (Computer Science Track.)

1. Level I, II, III :

   • C Programming: A Modern Approach, 2nd Edition by K.N. King - ISBN-13: 978-0393979503, or 978-0393979503.
   • Online notes for Computer Science Track at Storming Robots site.

   Level IV:

   • Mastering Algorithms with C: ISBN-13: 978-1565924536, or ISBN-10: 1565924533
   • Online notes for Computer Science Track at Storming Robots site.

   Level V:

   • C++ Primer Plus (Developer's Library) 6th Edition, by Stephen Prata.    ISBN-13: 9780321776402.
   • (Optional) : Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis in C++, 4th Edition by Mark A. Weiss—ISBN-10: 0273769383
   • Online notes for Computer Science Track at Storming Robots site.
   Where to buy (just some suggestion):
   1. Amazon
   2. Pearson (for the C++ Primer)
   3. Online Buy/Sell facebook group.
   4. Email to our office to check whether we currently have a used book available for sale.

 

2. Download and install the IDE - Options (only one of the following):
   
   1. Windows: Microsoft Visual Studio Community Version - C/C++ . This is the most preferred tool because of its excellent debugger.
   2. Windows or MacOS: MS Visual Studio Code. A much lighter weight option, but setup is not as user friendly, and the debugging tool is not as user-friendly.
   3. Online only:Online C/C++ IDE. However, it's debugger is very limited.

Gr. 9+ : Robotics & Electronic (Electronic Track.)

Components/Books that you need to purchase. We highly recommend not to purchase the main controller from Amazon where you may get a counterfeit.

For Level I:

You will need to purchase:

1. Controller board:
   1. If you do not own an Arduino UNO, you should purchase this Arduino Sensor Kit Bundle. IMPORTANT: Do NOT buy the one called Grove Beginner Kit for Arduino sold at Amazon. They look almost identical, but they are different. One of the sensors mal-functioned off from the board.
   2. If you own an Arduino UNO, you should purchase this Arduino Sensor Kit - Base
2. Breadboards for prototyping.
3. Quality jumper wires- A few Premium Male/Male, Female/Male should be sufficient. Highly recommend to get quality wires from reputable shops.
4. Book(s):
   1. Arduino Cookbook
   2. Electronic Cookbook by Simon Monk. This is an excellent hands-on projects-based delivery style, and focuses on HOW to do things, apply electronics to Arduino/Pi, I2C devices, etc.

      Disclaimer on this Electronic Cookbook: The Chapter 7 of this book discusses circuits that are Dangerous as it talks about how to generate 1000 volts from a 6 volt battery. While we do trust students will be wise enough NOT to do it, we must caution ALL parents. Please use your discretion, and we advise you to remove page 100 to 104 if necessary. Storming Robots is not responsible or liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident or delay which may be caused if students choose to exercise this dangerous project.

   3. Alternative: Hacking Electronics: Learning Electronics with Arduino and Raspberry Pi, Second Edition, by Simon Monk. ISBN-13: 978-1260012200.
   4. Just option:Getting Started with Electronic. This is a theory-based book, but contains excellent fundamental electronic concepts, but also easy to read.
5. May need to purchase additional electronic devices depending on the group's progress.

For Level II:

In additional to parts from Level I, you will also need:

1. Makeblock Ranger platform.
   Highly recommend to purchase this core set from one of the official distributors , such as RobotShop , or DigiKey.
   
2. MakeBlock Me RJ25 Adapter
3. MakeBlock 9g Micro Servo Pack
4. May need a few other devices depending on class progress.

For Projects-Level (or III):

To Be Determined.

Download and Install

• Arduino C IDE
• MakeBlock IDE (both are free).

For RaspberryPI:

See Here.

Competition Groups

Students responsible for hardware fees. 

Rescue Line (B)

EV3 platform. May purchase “used platform” from us. Please view this video for details.

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Rescue Line I

1. Makeblock Ranger core set.
   Makeblock platform offers much higher hardware expandability than the current LEGO Mindstorms set with only 1/3 the cost.
2. A list of various suggested devices
3. A Line I Sample list

Rescue Line II+ and Maze

Unlike most other popular robotics competitions, RoboCupJunior Competition encourages teams to choose their platforms. Thus, platforms each team chooses may vary across the Leagues and the team's existing knowledge base. Core platforms will be determined in the Fall. Students will be responsible for the cost of the hardware components

Since they are more experienced groups, participants will engage in more vigorous research and discussion to decide the hardware components. Thus, usually, these groups will purchase components on their own.

Hardware requirements will be further discussed in class as the hardware platform for a Maze group can easily vary based on goals and ability of the students.