Radar
- Description
- Curriculum
Before radar, pilots flew blind in storms and ships collided in fog. The invention of radar changed history by giving humanity an “unblinking eye” that could scan the world beyond human sight.
In this project, students will engineer and program an intelligent radar system using LEGO SPIKE Prime — starting with a scanning Early Warning System and upgrading it into an automated defence turret that can detect, track, and respond to intruders.
Students will explore how real-world detection systems work by combining rotation mechanisms, distance sensors, targeting logic, and control algorithms. Along the way, they’ll connect robotics to real science through cross-disciplinary activities including:
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How animals use echolocation (like bats and dolphins)
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How radar changed World War II and modern warfare
The course includes:
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Lesson 1: Build and program a rotating scanner that detects intruders and triggers alarms
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Lesson 2: Upgrade the system into a smart defender that aims and responds automatically
This project contains enough content and activities for 2 full lessons.
Program: Word Blocks and Python
Materials: LEGO SPIKE Prime Core Set only
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1
IntroductionDiscussions, teacher tips and STEM focused learning objectives.
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2
Building InstructionsFollow step-by-step instructions to build the scanner
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3
Game Set-Up
Set-Up the robot and game field elements
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4
Coding
Create a program for the scanner
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5
Cross-Disciplinary Activities & Careers
Science Application: Echolocation
Questions, reflection and careers
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6
Introduction
Discussions, teacher tips and STEM focused learning objectives.
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7
Building Instruction
Follow step-by-step instructions to add the launcher to the scanner
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8
Game Set-Up & Scoring
Set-Up the robot and game field elements
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9
Coding
Create a program for the launcher
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10
Cross-Disciplinary Activities & Careers
History: Radar’s Impact from WWII to Today
Questions, reflection and careers
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