Ariosto+Gomez-Franco

=__**Independent Study Period 1**__=

October 27th, 2015

For the past 2 cycles we have worked on the Intelitek tutorial. We have been working on the last chapter for a while because it covers sensors and sensor behavior and motor encoder usage. As you can imagine this is extremely important to our robot and thus requires a bit more time than the other chapters. Another large topic we have covered are Finite State Machines which are composed of switch case statements. We are definitely going to use these in our code since they are extremely useful and more advanced than conditional statements. This means we have covered everything necessary to start coding. Now that we have Android studio we can get really cranking at it.

During our Robotics meetings we have also made progress I have managed to muster up a drive-train. This means that we will be able to begin to actually code for a "robot". This way we are not just programming for a robot that does not exist. we could probably use some sensors in conjunction with the current drive-train to see if we can execute some of the example code used in the tutorial.

Note: We are having some trouble getting Android Studio to work. Hopefully we resolve that quickly I just want to notify you.

October 15th, 2015

For the past two cycles we have continued to go through the Intelitek tutorial for programming the robot. We have managed to go up to module 15 on the tutorial. As you can imagine there is not much left in the tutorial for us to cover since it only has 18 modules. We have made progress in our robot design during our team meetings, this is important to our programming because we can then know how motors will be situated and how to program them. Also once we finish the robot design we can get specific with our strategy and b begin to compile some good pseudocode. Once we have Android Studio installed we will start trying out some of the sample code provided in the tutorial. Also I will try to make a quick drive train in our meeting so we have something to program.

We also attended a workshop 2 Saturdays ago on October 3rd that revolved around programming the robot. It was taught by our coach Mr. Hildebrant at the Great Valley PennState campus.There were two classes being taught, but we attended the advanced class that was taught by our coach. The class reviewed some Java basics and taught us some simple code for the different op-modes that we need to create for the robot. It also taught us how to download the programs on to the phones and hoe to run them so the robot actually does something. Now we are rather comfortable with the concepts of how the whole control system works on the robot.

October 2nd 2015

Over the course of the last 2 cycles we have learned the basics for programming the robot. To do this we used an online resource provided by the FIRST FTC program. The website we used is http://www.intelitek.com/roborio/. In the material provided we reviewed up to Module 3 Lesson 10. Within all the lessons that we learned we found out how to connect the Android phones and the proper set up, this also includes the set up and the overall control system. We also reviewed the set up for Android Studio and the proper syntax and organization for the program we will write. Though probably the most important thing we learned this week was the hierarchy if the java program. We learned about the Op Mode class and how it is the parent class the the tele-Op class and the autonomous class. We also studied the parent class and the differences that should exist between the different child classes.

Lastly we started to study the different methods used to operate things on the robot. This included how to designate and name different motors and how to call upon them to do certain things. We are still on those sections and will probably continue on them for a while. We also tried to see some sensor code and how it works but we will wait a little bit until we have a working program so we can play we the sensors and see what they can do with some hand on experience.

September 22nd 2015

During the last few weeks our robotics season has kicked off. Our robotics team attended an FTC Kick-Off at Delaware State University in Dover, during this event we were introduced to this years challenge. The challenge consists of a 12x12 foot field that has a "mountains" on each side, there is a bar to hang the robot on top of said mountain. On the ground there are 2 beacons the ground to be used during autonomous. The field is covered in 80 pieces named "debris" that go on the baskets that are mounted on each mountain. Lastly there are the climbers that must be released down the zip line. The other climbers must be scored during autonomous.

During the autonomous period the robot must make its way from the starting position to a its beacon and press the correct button based on colors. Then it must deposit the climbers into a bin behind the beacon. After which it must make its way to the mountain and attempt to climb to the high zone. In the nut shell this is what we have to accomplish. Though we have to program two separate routines, one for each side of the field. We could also add on to the routine and try to score debris in autonomous. Which is a tall order but could be completed with enough time.

During the tele-op period of the game the robot must maneuver the field and score debris. We have to program the tele-op program so our drivers can actually use the robot. Also automotive features could be brought into the tele-op routine to make scoring faster and more efficient. In other words we can streamline things with some good code and make our team more successful on the field.

For the past few days we have strategizing about how to go about building the robot and its implications on the autonomous routine and on the overall programming side. Apart from that we have been laying out our autonomous strategy with our programming coach Mr. Hildebrant.

September 10th 2015

For my independent study I will be helping my team program the robot build for the FIRST FTC Robotics challenge. I will be doing this by simultaneously going deeper into my study of Java since the language being used to program the robot will be Java. So last years base of Java will be built upon this year's as I try to complete this years robotics challenge. To complete the challenge I will have to asses the challenge and come up with a solution to the problems at hand, then write proper pseudo code and see what tools in java i need to utilize to write competent code for the solution of the problem. From there I will write the code and debug until the problems are solved and then continue to program as new problems arise during the coarse of the year.

For this independent study I can be assessed by the ability of the robot to complete the challenge presented by the FIRST FTC. Since the season extends most of the year the independent study will span two semesters. Also since the challenge is usually very complicated the amount of programming obstacles will be numerous and will give me many opportunities to improve my knowledge on java and programming as a whole. As for the resources used for this independent study I will be using the manuals provided by FIRST and their forums were others discuss programming. I will also have Mr. Wooddelll and Mr. Hildebrant to question if things get to hairy while programming. Mr. Hildebrant, my robotics coach, has a deep understanding of java and will help guide me during the independent study.

= = =__**Independent Study Period 6**__=

October 28th 2015

So for the past two cycles I have had an ulterior motive in this independent study. I have a Physics SAT subject test in November. This means that I have been using this period to study for that exam. If it makes you feel any better I have been mostly reviewing topics that revolve around mechanics during this period so I can effectively problem solve on the SAT. I have been specifically studying the Work- Energy theorem which composes a large portion of the test. (at least I have been studying the topic I should be studying). I plan to incorporate my knowledge of calculus on the SAT subject. That should make the test much easier and in the process it will give me a reason to really dig in hard into the books.

This period has also turned into Tito tutoring other in physics. This has actually helped me keep me focused on physics during the period. Other than that I have also started to do optics. This unit is usually done much later into the year but I need to know it for the SAT so I thought it would be good timing. Other than that thing have been going good I have started to slightly fall behind the pace that I am suppose to be going at but the next 2 weeks will definitely catch me up.

October 15th 2015

For the past 2 cycles I have tried to work threw the work and energy unit of Physics C. This unit has had some curve balls that I am not ready to take at the moment. See a lot of what work contains to completely understand it is a bit of integral calculus and area below the curve type stuff. So if I truly want to understand it I have to again look further into calculus. So this independent study is slowly turning into a mixture of physics and calculus. So for next week im going to make a list of calculus concepts i need to know before starting a unit so that i can minimize my confusion. If this system works ill do it for the rest of the units so that my independent study can run a little more smoothly.

Other than that I am going to spend some more time on this unit since I'm still confused on a lot of its topics but this dose not worry me since I seem to be ahead of schedule anyways. So I will probably stay on this unit for at least another 2 cycles.

October 5th 2015

For the past 2 cycles I have been studying 2 dimensional kinematics and a little more on integral calculus. This also includes vector analysis and other vector operations that are standard to normal physics. But I am going to look a little farther into vector calculus in the next two cycles. I thought I was going to see more calculus in the last two cycles but I did not, though I intend to visit it with the vector calculus in the next 2 cycles. As far as 2 dimensional kinematics goes I have done a few worksheets provided by my friend Olivia Cannon. She was kind enough to hook me up with her physics worksheets since she is also taking a calculus based physics class at Cecil College. This will help me get a feeling on how much time to spend on each subject.

I did not touch 3 dimensional kinematics but I am about to try it after finishing this journal. After kinematics I will go into Newton's Laws of Motion which should only take a day or two, then I will go into Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, and Work. That will entertain me for a while. As far as the my pacing goes it appears that I am on track. I still don't know if I want to try any magnetism and electricity. If I do it will be at the end of the year just for fun.

September 23rd 2015

For the last two cycles I have been studying two topics. I began to doable in integral calculus which is needed for Physics C. I have only really scrapped their surface but I have developed a basic understanding of the definition of a derivative and on how to calculate an integral. I will continue to further my understanding of integral calculus as the year progresses and as I need it. For now I think that I have enough of an understanding to go on for a while.

I have also studied 1 dimensional Kinematics during the last two cycles. I studied the equations which is really a review of last year, but the implications of calculus obviously freshened up the subject. For example the relationship between acceleration, velocity, time, and position. This is new to me and is rooted in calculus. I have studied the graphs and the different relationships that arise from different graphical representations of functions in respect to time and displacement and other relationships that can also be graphed. I have done practice on the subject and I have determined that I have enough of a grasp on it to start 2 dimensional Kinematics in my next 2 cycles ( hopefully try 3 dimensional as well). I will also continue integral calculus in conjunction because well why not I find it rather interesting.

September 11th 2015

For my period 6 independent study I will study calculus based mechanics in Physics. I picked this as my independent study because of the fact that our high school does not provide a calculus based Physics class to its students. As a result i will be studying the subject independently. My independent Study will follow the standards set forth by the College Board on the knowledge a student must know in a AP Physics C: Mechanics coarse. This will give me a good goal and timeline for how to approach my independent study and a benchmark on how I should be doing as the class progresses.

As for my resources I will be using a plethora of websites and online books to facilitate my learning. I will not be using a Physics book because I simply do not have enough money to buy one on the whim, but it seems like there is enough content online to substitute a textbook. As for the Calculus used in Physics C I have already taken a Differential Calculus coarse and I am currently taking AP Calculus AB. If a concept in Calculus that I do not know comes up I will refer to my Calculus teacher Mr. Spano who has agreed to accelerate my learning of Calculus if it would facilitate my studies in AP Physics C: Mechanics.

As for accessing my progress I will be regularly looking up AP free-response questions that encapsulate the concepts that I am learning at a given time. This will help me gauge what I need to study and if it is time to move on to the next concept. As of right now I do not know if I want to take the AP exam. As the due date for sign ups approaches i will make a decision on whether it would be beneficial to take the exam.