Fix Bot

Computer class scenario using the "Fix Bot" application

Age group: primary school, grades 1-3

Duration of classes: 45 minutes

Achievements in line with the core curriculum for primary school, grades 1-3:

  • IT education: the student solves tasks, puzzles, and riddles leading to the discovery of algorithms; programs visually: simple situations or stories according to their own ideas and ideas developed together with other students, single commands, and their sequences controlling an object on the computer screen or another digital device; uses a computer or another digital device and external devices when performing a task; associates the operation of a computer or another digital device with the effects of working with software; cooperates with students, exchanges ideas and experiences with them, using technology.

General objectives:

  • developing analytical skills,
  • shaping spatial orientation,
  • stimulating planning and forecasting skills,
  • developing understanding of code structure and syntax.

Operational objectives, the student:

  • knows what directional arrows mean,
  • plans their actions, checks their effect,
  • creates code using graphic symbols,
  • knows what repetitions mean,
  • understands the meaning of fields with a function.

Course of classes

  1. Propose a game of "Maze" to the students. Spread foot templates on the floor - they can be pre-cut by the children. In addition, place “START” and “FINISH” signs in distant places in the room. Each child will roll a dice determining the number of steps to take in the maze. They arrange the route in any way, remembering to reach the finish and leaving space for the next students' throws. In this way, a classroom maze will be created.

  2. Launch the "Mechanical Maze" application on the selected device.

  3. Tell the students that Dot Bot must reach the plug to recharge its batteries. Dot Bot's task is also to collect all the screws on the board. Ask the students which fields Dot Bot should pass through, where it should start in order to complete the route in the shortest possible time.

  4. The students' task will be to create a code for Dot Bot using arrows and the screw symbol, which in the code will mean taking an item from the board.

  5. You can divide the students into several groups (depending on the size of the class). Divide Dot Bot's path into stages, let a different group be responsible for writing the code for each of them. Incorrect lines of code can be deleted using the cross in the lower right corner of the block.

  6. After completing the task, move on to the next board(s).