Learning kitGrades K-1

Computer science: robotics

Design and build a robot

Pick the parts a plant-watering robot needs, draw a build plan in craft materials and build a prototype from cardboard and straws, then program a robot to reach the plant and ask two people what would make your design better. Ages 5 to 7 or kindergarten to grade 1.

Read this kit aloud together. It is written for a grown-up to read to a child of 5 or 6, one short step at a time.

Time
About an hour, in two or three short sittings
Steps
3 steps
You need
A grown-up to read along, and a computer, Chromebook or tablet. For the prototype: cardboard, paper tubes, straws, pipe cleaners, bottle caps, tape and glue. Two people to give feedback. No account needed.
Unlock the kit, $5 I have a code

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

A build plan for a robot on a grid in craft materials: a cardboard body holding a blue water cup, straw arms, a pipe-cleaner antenna and bottle-cap wheels.

The 3 steps

  1. 1Plan your robotTry it hereEngineers start with a job. Your robot's job: water the plants when nobody is home. What parts does it need?
  2. 2Create a prototypeBuild planA prototype is a first model of an idea. Plan yours on the grid, with a color for each material, then build it.
  3. 3Get feedback on your robotTry it hereEngineers test their robots and ask people what they think. First, program a robot to drive to the plant. Then show your prototype to two people and ask what would make it better.

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 learner

Unlock the kit, $5

  • All 3 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 learner's own work: your build plan and what people said about your robot

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?
Co-ops and classes: unlock it for a group

One payment and one code. Each learner 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 does the learner do in Design and build a robot?

It has 3 steps: 1. Plan your robot; 2. Create a prototype; 3. Get feedback on your robot. Pick the parts a plant-watering robot needs, draw a build plan in craft materials and build a prototype from cardboard and straws, then program a robot to reach the plant and ask two people what would make your design better. Ages 5 to 7 or kindergarten to grade 1.

What age is it for?

Grades K-1. About an hour, in two or three short sittings.

What is needed?

A grown-up to read along, and a computer, Chromebook or tablet. For the prototype: cardboard, paper tubes, straws, pipe cleaners, bottle caps, tape and glue. Two people to give feedback. No account needed.

Is there a certificate?

Yes. A numbered certificate with a page of the learner's own work, for your records or a portfolio. It is not course credit.

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