2024 Tutorials

As Zero Robotics transitions from using the SPHERES to the Astrobee Satellite, we wanted to centralize your teaching tools into one location.  If you have suggestions on how to improve these tutorials or the content within the educator guide, please email those suggestions to MIT’s ZR Partner, the Innovation Learning Center, at Katie@MassILC.com.

 

Zero Robotics (ZR) is a programming competition where Astrobee satellites inside the International Space Station (ISS) are controlled by programs developed by YOU! You will create, edit, share, save, simulate, and submit programming code in order to accomplish whatever your given task is. After several rounds of competition, finalists will compete in a live championship aboard the ISS. An astronaut will use your code to conduct the championship competition in microgravity with a live broadcast!

 

This program was designed to engage middle school students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through the ZR game. We hope to help you better understand this content by connecting it to something we think is exciting: space! You'll also get the chance to learn about STEM careers so that you can understand the many interesting opportunities for success that STEM fields can offer. Most of all, we hope you have fun!

 

Due to the transition to the new Astrobees, the following table shows the tutorials available for learning to program in the ZR IDE using the graphical editor for the Summer of 2024.

 

2024 PROGRAMMING TUTORIALS INDEX

 

No.

Document Name

Description

1

Create an ZR Account

Setup for an ZR account to access ZR IDE. Sandbox setup instruction for students without an email address. 

2

Invite Team Members

For team leaders to add team members.

3

Signup for Piazza

Use Piazza to ask questions and see others’ Q&As during the program. 

4

ZR IDE

Learn how to use the ZR IDE and write code in graphics (can convert to C++).
Video Tutorial

5

Game Mode

Learn how to enter the game mode with game specific APIs. 

6

Share Code with Team

Learn how to create a group project and share code with your team members. 

7

Move Astrobee

Position

Learn how to send commands to move Astrobee robots to a position. 

8

Conditionals 1

Part 1: Basics of the “If - Then” statement and For Loops

9

Conditionals 2

Part 2: Use the “ Else-If” statement. 

10

Advanced Logic

Use logic operators in your conditionals. 

11

Creating Functions 

Learn how to create and use functions. 

12

Code Submission 

Instructions on how to submit your code. 

 

2024 Weekly Outlines

Here you can find suggested WEEKLY OUTLINES with goals, objectives and activities to do along with the tutorials.