TI STEM resources
Control robotic vehicles
Choose from a wide selection of fun and engaging STEM projects on wheels or wings. Made for use with the
Try out the STEM Projects Pilot Program
Ready to start a STEM project? Before purchasing TI technology or materials, request to participate in the pilot program and borrow everything you need for up to two weeks for your first project at no cost.*
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Meet the
TI-Innovator™ Rover
Get to know the TI-Innovator™ Rover better. Start with the basic setup, then learn how to program your robotic vehicle using a set of geometry challenges. Average duration: 1 to 2 hours.
Eligible for STEM Projects Pilot Program and Teacher Starter Kit.
Concepts explored
- Write a program
- Edit a program
- Interior and exterior angles
- Logic
Required technology and materials
- TI graphing calculator
- TI-Innovator™ Rover
- TI-Innovator™ Hub
Rover, Watch Out for Rover!
Explore the relationship between distance, time and speed by driving the TI-Innovator™ Rover as close as possible to Rover, the toy dog, without bumping him. Average duration: 1 to 2 hours.
Eligible for STEM Projects Pilot Program and Teacher Starter Kit.
Concepts explored
- Intro to coding
- Distance, time and speed relationships
- Editing a program
Required technology and materials
- TI graphing calculator
- TI-Innovator™ Rover
- TI-Innovator™ Hub
- Toy dog
- Tape measure
- Tape
On-Ramp to Robotics, Unit 1: The Mars Rover Challenge (Motion)
Highly recommended for beginners. Apply basic STEM and coding concepts to control the
Eligible for STEM Projects Pilot Program and Teacher Starter Kit.
Concepts explored
- Measurement and units
- Scaling
- Motor control
- For loops
- Motion commands
Required technology and materials
- TI graphing calculator
- TI-Innovator™ Rover
- TI-Innovator™ Hub
- Open floor space
- Optional Mars map (print file included in download)
On-Ramp to Robotics, Unit 2: The Mars Mineral Challenge (Sensing)
Model self-driving vehicles by using the
Eligible for STEM Projects Pilot Program and Teacher Starter Kit.
Concepts explored
- Measurement and units
- Angles and the unit circle
- Feedback and control
- Loops
- Conditional statements
- Variables
- Motion commands
Required technology and materials
- TI graphing calculator
- TI-Innovator™ Rover
- TI-Innovator™ Hub
- Construction paper or masking tape (red, green, blue and black)
- Roll of white butcher paper, white floor or white drive mat
- Optional Mars map (print files included in download)
- Boxes or books for barriers
- Flashlights
Meet the Dash
Does your school use the Dash Robot by Wonder Workshop? Create Python programs to make it come to life with the
Eligible for Teacher Starter Kit only.
Dash robot not included.
Concepts explored
- Writing a program
- Editing a program
- Motion commands
- Controlling outputs
- Interior and exterior angles
- Logic
Required technology and materials
- TI graphing calculator
- TI Bluetooth® Adapter
- Dash Robot by Wonder Workshop
(not eligible for equipment loan) - Dry erase marker
- Butcher paper
- Optional 3D-printed Dash marker holder
(STL file included in download)
Dash, Watch Out for Rover!
How close can your Dash Robot get to Rover, the toy dog, in just one try? Challenge students to take measurements, determine patterns, make predictions and then test the results. Average duration: 1 to 2 hours.
Eligible for Teacher Starter Kit only.
Dash robot not included.
Concepts explored
- Intro to coding
- Distance, time and speed relationships
- Editing a program
Required technology and materials
- TI graphing calculator
- Dash Robot by Wonder Workshop
(not eligible for equipment loan) - Toy dog
- Tape measure
- Tape
Getting Your Wings
Prepare to take flight! Your students will launch their Python skills to new heights with an intro to programming Tello drones and learning to become certified drone pilots. Average duration: 2 hours.
Eligible for Teacher Starter Kit only. Tello drone not included.
Concepts explored
- Variables
- Importing libraries
- Use an object method
- Input and output (I/O)
- Flight safety
Required technology and materials
- TI graphing calculator
- Tello drone (not eligible for equipment loan)
- BBC micro:bit v.2
- Grove BitMaker expansion board (v2)
- Grove Wi-Fi module
- USB battery
- Calculator to micro:bit USB cable (click to request a free cable)
- Open space (gymnasium is ideal)
Four Square
Play the traditional game of four square with a TI graphing calculator and a Tello drone. Average duration: 2 hours.
Eligible for Teacher Starter Kit only. Tello drone not included.
Concepts explored
- Variables
- Importing libraries
- Use an object method
- Input and output (I/O)
- Loops
Required technology and materials
- TI graphing calculator
- Tello drone (not eligible for equipment loan)
- BBC micro:bit v.2
- Grove BitMaker expansion board (v2)
- Grove Wi-Fi module
- USB battery
- Calculator to micro:bit USB cable (click to request a free cable)
- Open space (gymnasium is ideal)
Turtle
The Turtle module puts programming in motion to create an active learning experience. The skills students learn with Turtle apply to robotics — and vice versa! In fact, code written to control Turtle is nearly identical to programming with the TI-Innovator™ Rover.
Add Turtle to your graphing calculatorTI-Nspire™ CX technology TI-84 Plus CE Python
STEM Projects equipment list for TI-Innovator™ Hub activities
Get the complete list of the TI technology and equipment needed for each STEM project with quantity and setup recommendations for your classroom.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Texas Instruments is under license. Wonder Workshop and Dash are trademarks of Wonder Workshop, Inc.
*While supplies are available; some exceptions may apply. Refer to the STEM Projects Pilot Program request form for terms of the equipment loan.