Learning kitGrades 6-8

Computer science: robotics

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 a browser simulator to clean a room in rows with a loop and drive back to its charger. Ages 11 to 14 or grades 6 to 8.

Time
About 2 hours, in two or three sittings
Steps
5 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 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 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.

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 learner

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 learner'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?
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 Program a robot vacuum?

It 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. 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 a browser simulator to clean a room in rows with a loop and drive back to its charger. Ages 11 to 14 or grades 6 to 8.

What age is it for?

Grades 6-8. About 2 hours, in two or three sittings.

What is needed?

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.

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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