1.4. Lesson 4: Artemis Brings Alexa¶
Time Estimate: 45 minutes
1.4.1. Introduction and Goals¶
During this unit, you have examined the Artemis space program and worked with 2 Alexa skills: Good Morning, Space and Space Facts. In this lesson, you will explore other contexts in which AI would be helpful in space. You will also build an Alexa skill based on your previous brainstorm.
Learning Goals: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Reuse components of existing programs for new programs.
- Create a new Alexa skill using MIT App Inventor.
Language Goals: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Describe in writing the purpose of an Alexa skill.
- Explain in writing difficulties encountered while building a new Alexa skill.
1.4.2. Learning Activities¶
Discussion: Introduction
In this lesson, you will be imagining how Alexa could be used in space travel. This video provides some examples of how voice AI could be used in space travel. As you watch, think about other Alexa function that could help with space travel.
Activity: Create Your Skill
In this activity, you will build an Alexa skill based on an idea that you have come up with in your brainstorm. Since you may be new to programming or the Alexa App Inventor environment, there are some examples of code blocks below to help you as you create your own. When you are ready, open the New Skill starter. The starter project has a skill (space helper) and intent (IntentHelpInSpace) already created for you.
In this skill, Alexa tells the user a joke. Alexa asks the question, waits for the user’s response, and then delivers the punchline. To open this skill in MIT App Inventor, click here.
In this skill, Alexa tells the user a to-do list that has been programmed. To open this skill in MIT App Inventor, click here.
In this skill, Alexa tells the user a random fact about space. To open this skill in MIT App Inventor, click here.
1.4.3. Reflection¶
Congrats! You have successfully completed the Alexa in Space unit! Reflect on what you have learned in this lesson.
Q-2: Describe the purpose of your Alexa skill. In other words, what problem does your skill solve?
Q-3: What was something you found challenging about building the skill?