Session 4: Getting Started with Quarky

Objectives

After this lesson, students will be able to:

Define about Quarky.
Understand different functions related to Quarky and implement them while writing the code.
Prepare a coding project, to display emotions on Quarky.
Prepare a coding project, to create a name badge with quarky.

Introduction

In this session, students will be learning about, what is Quarky, different functions associated with Quarky. And how to implement those functions while writing a python program in Pictoblox python interface.

Students are given introduction about various sections of Quarky device. They are explained, what primary task each of them fulfills. Students are then taught how they can write a code using functions associated with Quarky in Pictoblox Python interface. Finally, we give them a step-by-step guide to make projects using Quarky along with PictoBlox. They will be creating projects : Displaying emotions with Quarky and Name badge with quarky.

Activity

Create a project that uses Quarky to display emotions.

Create a project that uses Quarky to create a name badge.

Teaching Resources

PicoBlox Code

Title	Description	File
Display emotions with Quarky	This project demonstrates how various emotions can be displayed on Quarky.	https://learn.edustream.ae/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CL9_CH4_Display-emotions-with-quarky.sb3
Name badge with Quarky	This project demonstrates how a name badge can be created using Quarky.	https://learn.edustream.ae/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CL9_CH4_Name-Badge-with-Quarky-1.sb3

Timeline

Title	Approximate Duration	Procedure	Reference Material
Introduction to Quarky	5	Access and play the Introduction to Quarky Lecture Slide. What is Quarky ? Explain various sections of Quarky. How Quarky is integrated with Pictoblox Python interface ?	Lecture Slide
Activity : Display emotions with Quarky	20	Guide students, step by step for connecting to Quarky from PictoBlox in their respective devices. Also make sure that each student connects to their own device via bluetooth and not someone else’s device. Demonstrate the procedure given in the *Display emotions with Quarky Activity Sheet* to the students. Ask the students to follow the instructions to create the project. At the end of the activity, the teacher must check if all the students have created the project and provide feedback accordingly.	PictoBlox file, Lecture Slide and Activity sheet
Activity : Name badge with Quarky	10	Demonstrate the procedure given in the *Name badge with quarky Activity Sheet* to the students. Ask the students to follow the instructions to create the project. At the end of the activity, the teacher must check if all the students have created the project and provide feedback accordingly.	PictoBlox file, Lecture Slide and Activity sheet
Concluding the lecture	5	Make sure that all the students save their script properly before closing PictoBlox. Give a summary of the points covered in the lecture.	Lecture Slide

Things to Remember

Before Class

Make sure each PC has the latest version of PictoBlox installed and running.
Make sure all the Quarky robots are in working condition and are fully charged.
Make sure all the Quarky robots have a working USB cable with them. If you are using Bluetooth to connect Quarky with PictoBlox, make sure that you have downloaded the PictoBlox Link and it stays well connected.
Make sure that all the devices running PictoBlox has a working webcam as well as bluetooth.

During Class

Make sure they write the script by selecting the appropriate sprite.
Make sure they use the right palettes of Pictoblox Python interface for different functions while writing the code.

After Class

Make sure students save their codes/scripts.
Make sure they shut down the PC/Laptops.
Make sure they return Quarky and USB cable in good condition.