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Projects Page

To view these projects
If you do not have MicroWorlds installed on your computer, you need to download and install a MicroWorlds web player file. The file and instructions are available at the LCSI Web Player page. Choose the "MW EX" version if you are using the Windows operating system or the "OS X" version if you are using a Macintosh with OS X.

Project 1: Drawing Mr. Blockhead

Write a program that draws the picture of a face. Each element of the face should have a separate procedure that can be drawn separately, revised, or substituted with an alternate element. The elements of the face (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hair, etc.) should be combined into one superprocedure, but can also be run separately.

Skills required
Basic logo commands; subprocedures and super-procedures; basic geometry; 2 dimensional coordinate systems.

Why are we learning this? (Learning Objectives)
One of the primary objectives of this project is to understand how to construct a complex structure (in this case a graphic) that is complosed of individual and independent units that work together. It is possible to create this graphic with one long procedure, but doing so makes it very difficult ot change an individual unit or part of the design. The blockhead1 example variation below shows this principle, where two different eyes can be interchanged in the graphic.

Process

1. Begin by using graph paper to plan your graphic. Draw an image that takes up most of the area (avoid drawing a small image). Each square on the graph paper is 10 turtle steps.

2. Write a subprocedure for each element of the blockhead (eyes, mouth, head, etc.). Each blockhead element should be able to run as a separate procedure in the appropriate position on the page. One "superprocedure" should also run them. Subprocedures should include: head, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, hair, shoulders.

Things to think about

If each subprocedure can run independently, you will need to position the turtle at the beginning of each procedure by picking the pen up, moving to the turtle to the correct start position for that graphic element (what we call a subprocedure) and then putting the pen down and drawing. Use the Set Position (setpos [xx yy]) command to place the turtle on the correct pair of x and y coordinates.

Example: blockhead Example variation: blockhead1 Code: blockhead code

Project 2 : The Rotating Ferris Wheel

In this project you will use four turtles and animate them. You will also learn how to change their shape with the MircoWorlds graphics tools and make them all move at the same time.

When you are working on this project, remember to save often to the logo folder in your My Documents. Begin by creating a new file and saving it as "FerrisWheel-XXX" where the "XXX" is your first name.

Skills required
Additional logo commands, subprocedures and super-procedures,

Why are we learning this? (Learning Objectives)
This exercise extends many of the skills used in the Blockhead project and adds some new commands. It also requires you to use basic digital graphics tools.

Asking Questions:
What happens if you change the size of the circles that the cars draw? See what Alex found out.

Requirements:

• The instructions describe how to make a ferris wheel with four cars. Add cars so your version has more than 4 cars on your ferris wheel. At what points on the circle should the cars be moved to before they start?
• Create a button to make the cars move around the wheel. Be sure to save when all is working.
• Send the file to the instructor when you are finished his email is: krussell@bham.wednet.edu

Example: Ferris Wheel Steps to follow : Instructions (pdf format)

Project 3: Brain Challenge for Circles

Worksheet: Brain Challenge for Circles

Simple examples: 18 Circles Outiside , 18 Circles Inside

Other examples: Triple Inside Circles, 3Inside & Out, Ten Inside Circles