Girl ScoutsJuniorGrades 4-5

Programming Robots

Program a robot

Find out how robots sense, think and act, be the robot on a paper map, then program a robot in the Robotics simulator: drive it to a target, draw a square with its pen, and use its distance sensor to stop before a wall. Covers all five steps of the Junior Programming Robots badge.

Time
About 90 minutes, in two or three sittings
Steps
5 badge steps, 3 of them in Robotics
You need
A computer or Chromebook with a mouse or trackpad, and a friend or grown-up for step 2. Printing is optional: every step works on screen. 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 small robot on a floor grid that has drawn a purple square with its pen, seen from behind.

Badge requirements: the 5 steps

  1. 1Learn how robots workRead and quizA robot is a machine that senses the world, decides what to do, and then acts. Robots vacuum floors, build cars, explore Mars and help doctors.
  2. 2Learn about the robot brainBe the robotA robot's brain does exactly what its program says, in order, and nothing else. Try it: draw a map, write the commands, and have someone follow them like a robot.
  3. 3Learn about programmingIn RoboticsNow program a real robot, in a simulator. Snap blocks together to tell it where to go, then run the program and watch it drive.
  4. 4Try simple programmingIn RoboticsRobots repeat things. Program the robot to draw a square with its pen, then make the program shorter with a loop.
  5. 5Code a robotIn RoboticsNow give the robot a sense. Its distance sensor sees how far away the wall is. Program it to keep moving while the wall is far, and stop before it bumps.
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 robot map, your commands and your notes

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 Junior Programming Robots badge?

The badge has 5 steps: 1. Learn how robots work; 2. Learn about the robot brain; 3. Learn about programming; 4. Try simple programming; 5. Code 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 friend or grown-up for step 2. Printing is optional: every step works on screen. No account needed. About 90 minutes, 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.