Required Learning Resources for SR school year programs...

Gr. 4 to 6 (all levels) or Gr. 7 to 8 (up to I & II) : Robotics Projects Group.

Required Materials for practice at home

• RobotC Virtual World Software.

  This is a 180-day licence at no additioanl cost. A license key will be emailed to you within one week prior to the beginning of a term. Here is a link to guide you for installation and practices.

• Access to sites.google.com. This is a free online site where student will create their engineering journal and technical portfolio. This should remain a private site sharable with stormingrobots.com only.

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

This group will work with a physical robot. You will need to purchase the following:

• Makeblock Ranger platform.
  You need to purchase this core set from one of the distributors , such as RobotShop , or DigiKey.
  This offers much higher hardware expandability with 1/3 (i.e. ($150) the cost of a LEGO Mindstorms. The best part of it is its compatibility with world widely used open-source electronics platform.
• MakeBlock Me RJ25 Adapter
• Makeblock Me Color Sensor
• MakeBlock 9g Micro Servo Pack
• Breadboards for prototyping.
• Quality jumper wires- A few Premium Male/Male, Female/Male should be sufficient.
• May need a few other devices depending on class progress.

Download and Install

• Arduino C IDE
• MakeBlock IDE (both are free).
Access to sites.google.com. This is a free online site where student will create their engineering journal and technical portfolio. This should remain a private site sharable with stormingrobots.com only.

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.)

Basic components:

For Level I & II:

You will need to purchase:

• 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.
• If you own an Arduino UNO, you should purchase this Arduino Sensor Kit - Base
• Breadboards for prototyping.
• Quality jumper wires- A few Premium Male/Male, Female/Male should be sufficient. Highly recommend to get quality wires from reputable shops.
• Reference book:
  • 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 discrection, 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.
  • Alternative: Hacking Electronics: Learning Electronics with Arduino and Raspberry Pi, Second Edition, by Simon Monk. ISBN-13: 978-1260012200.
  • Getting Started with Electronic. This is a theory-based book, but contains excellent fundamental electronic concepts, but also easy to read.
• May need to purchase additional electronic devices depending on the group's progress.

For RaspberryPI:

See Here.

Competition Groups

Platforms each team chooses vary across the Leagues each participates, as well as team's existing knowledge-base. Core platforms will be determined in the Fall.  For more details.