COVID Vaccine Robot Activity
Part 1 – Identification Tutorial
Iterative Prompts
- Set variable to match a “virus stem” block – store it in memory
- Clone it so we can make a vaccine full of them
Computing concepts
Review – teleporting agent to player
New – variables, memory (inventory)
Part 2 – Comparison and Removal
Iterative Prompts
- Compare existing block to virus variable in memory
- Draw on sheet of paper how robot could move around a space
- Move robot around space to find and remove viruses
Computational Concepts
Review – logic (comparison), agent movement basics
New – advanced agent movement
Part 3 – Open Discussion and Play Time
Play time + interviews
Computational Environmentalism
Part 1 – Trash Pile Tutorial
Iterative Prompts
- Clean up a pile of trash manually, note how long it takes
- Teach robot to sort through a 3D pile of trash to identify what needs to be cleaned up, compare items to those found in inventory – this is an array of a kind
- Try tackling a really big pile?
Science Concepts
Trash vs recycling vs compost
How do we measure/sort/store trash?
Computational Concepts (blocks)
Review – comparison (logic blocks), loops, moving robot in 2D space
New – moving robot in 3D space
Part 2 – Open-Ended Park Cleanup (optional)
Potential Prompts
- ID Invasive species and remove/replace them
- Detect floating items above and below water pollution
- Have robot look for things that aren’t natural (inverse match) and bring them back
Computational Concepts (blocks)
Review – Same as above, reapplied in new situations
New – arrays (inventory)
Part 3 – Building and Beautification
Potential Prompts
- Create a playground (parkour course?)
- Build paths, lighting, fences, connected fountains
- Convert concrete to greenspace, plant trees/plants/animals
Computational Concepts (blocks)
Review – coordinates, relative vs. absolute position
New – randomness