An Introduction to VEX IQ Programming with Modkit
Lesson Objective: The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the ‘color’ sensor and its usage
within Modkit. The students will also learn the concept of variables, which they will set to a
constant value throughout the program.
Lesson 05
Age range
Duration
Continued use of the ‘Color’ sensor, thresholds and advanced
conditional statements.
9-11
50 min - 1 hour
Learning outcomes
1. Revise how the ‘color’ sensor works in different modes.
2. Students will define variables.
3. Students will program conditional statements with Boolean operators
4. Students will combine statements and sensor data to follow a track with the car.
Time
Activities
Link to
objective
5 mins
Introduction to lesson: re-visit the ‘color’ sensor and different modes. Which mode will
be best to use?
LO 1
5 mins
Experiment. The teacher/a student demonstrates the program that displays the
numeric readout of the ‘color’ sensor using black and white paper. Discuss the
change in value and what the conditions need to be for forward, left turn and right
turn.
LO 1,2,3,4
10 mins
Set up a white field with a black track with the students (make it wide enough, strips of LO 4
black paper are recommended).
20 mins
Programming task. Extend program to turn left and right when needed using the
outcome of the experiment.
LO 2,3,4
5 mins
Test program. Adjust thresholds and de-bug as required
LO 2,3,4
10 mins
Using open questions, discuss our autonomous car and its link to the google car.
LO 2,3,4
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Resources
PowerPoint Lesson 05
Black and white paper: Prepare a field of white paper (Several A3 sheets taped together and either draw, use
pieces of black paper or use black electrical tape to create the track (about 3-4 cm wide is ideal). Black paper or
black electrical tape is recommended over a marker.
The VEX IQ Challenge Competition Field can also be used, with white electrical tape over black lines ot create the
track.
ModKit (online or stand-alone)
VEX IQ Kit pre-built as sensor car:
Colour Sensor mounted and pointing down.
Supporting Handouts:
Quick reference sheets: Blocks used in Modkit (if required, from previous lessons)
Supporting Programs: (provided as mk4v files):
Experiment.mk4v (slide 4 in presentation) for experiment use only!
LineTracking.mk4v (slide 14 in presentation)
This lesson is about 50 min if the field/track is set up in advance by the teacher.
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