Girl ScoutsCadetteGrades 6-8

Programming Robots

Program a robot vacuum

Tell robots from other machines, learn how a switch circuit becomes a touch sensor, give a simulated robot a distance sensor so it patrols a room on its own, plan the vacuum's route and test it on a partner, then program a robot vacuum in the Robotics simulator to clean a room in rows with a loop and drive back to its charger. Covers all five steps of the Cadette Programming Robots badge.

Time
About 2 hours, in two or three sittings
Steps
5 badge steps, 2 of them in Robotics
You need
A computer or Chromebook with a mouse or trackpad, and a partner and some floor space for step 4. Building the switch in step 2 is optional: aluminum foil, cardboard, tape, a coin battery and an LED. No account needed.
Unlock the kit, $5 I have a code

$5 for one scout: every step, the Robotics activities that check the work, the printable lesson, and the certificate with a page of the scout's own work.

A robot vacuum back on its blue charger after cleaning a living room in rows, its pen line showing the cleaned stripes, with a sofa and cabinets around the room.

Badge requirements: the 5 steps

  1. 1Learn how robots workRead and quizNot every machine is a robot. A robot senses the world, decides what to do with a program, and acts on its own.
  2. 2Build a robot part: simple sensorsRead and quizMany robot sensors are simple circuits. When something in the world changes, the circuit changes, and the controller notices.
  3. 3Make a box robot model with sensorsIn RoboticsA sensor lets a robot work on its own. Give this robot its distance sensor and a program that keeps it driving around the room without hitting anything, with nobody steering.
  4. 4Learn about programmingPlan the routeAn algorithm is a list of steps that solves a problem, and a program is an algorithm a computer can run. Before you code the robot vacuum in step 5, plan its algorithm on a map and test it on a person: people make great literal-minded robots.
  5. 5Write a program for a robotIn RoboticsProgram a robot vacuum. It starts on its charger, the blue square, cleans the room in rows, and drives back to charge. A loop keeps the program short.
Robotics on the Blocks tab: the block list on the left with Movement open, and a program of Move Forward and Turn Right blocks under When Started.
Each step shows how Robotics works, then opens it with a checklist that ticks as the work gets done.

Work on a computer. The apps need a keyboard and a bigger screen than a phone: a laptop, desktop or Chromebook. You can pay here and open the emailed link on the computer.

One scout

Unlock the kit, $5

  • All 5 steps, worked on screen, with a lesson you can print if you like paper
  • Robotics activities that check the work as it is done
  • A numbered certificate with a page of the scout's own work: your switch notes, your algorithm and your robot programs

We email a link that opens the kit on any computer. No account needed. We keep the email only to send the kit and certificate links: privacy.

Have a discount code?
Leaders: unlock it for the whole troop

One payment and one code. Each scout types the code to unlock the kit on their own computer, and gets their own certificate at the end. Your pack page shows who has started and finished.

See a sample certificate (PDF) · Already paid? Find your link

Questions

What are the requirements for the Girl Scout Cadette Programming Robots badge?

The badge has 5 steps: 1. Learn how robots work; 2. Build a robot part: simple sensors; 3. Make a box robot model with sensors; 4. Learn about programming; 5. Write a program for a robot. This kit covers all 5, with activities that check the work as it is done.

Is there a printable version?

Yes. Once unlocked, the whole lesson prints, one step at a time, for a meeting or a table. Printing is optional: every step also works on screen, and a sample certificate PDF is on this page.

What does a scout need?

A computer or Chromebook with a mouse or trackpad, and a partner and some floor space for step 4. Building the switch in step 2 is optional: aluminum foil, cardboard, tape, a coin battery and an LED. No account needed. About 2 hours, in two or three sittings.

Can a troop leader get it for the whole troop?

Yes. A troop pack is one payment and one code: up to 12 scouts for $20, or up to 30 scouts for $35. Each scout types the code on their own computer and gets their own certificate, and the leader's pack page shows who has started and finished.

Is this an official Girl Scouts product?

No. MYTEK Lab makes the kit, and Girl Scouts badge names and steps are used with permission of Girl Scouts of the USA. The troop leader awards the badge; the certificate shows the scout did the work, with a number the leader can check.

All badge kits · Find kits and certificates you bought

Girl Scouts badge names and steps are used with permission of Girl Scouts of the USA. This kit is made by MYTEK Lab; the badge is awarded by the troop.