Introductory Challenges

The goal for this introductory programming challenge is to get the robot to dance. By making their robot dance, students will learn some basic programming skills such as moving forwards and backwards, turning, and using loops.

The goal is to get the robot as close to the wall without touching it, as fast as possible, without having the Lego person fall off the robot. Students learn and practice estimating distance in this challenge, i.e., they distance traveled with the number of wheel rotations selected. Decimals may be needed to approach the wall closely.

This task is an extension of the Race to the Wall Challenge. The goal of approaching the wall as close as possible is achieved by using the ultrasonic sensor which detects the proximity. Students learn to attach a sensor to the robot and how to program it.

The Pooper Scooper Challenge is to design and program a PoopBot that can pick-up and dispose fake poop. The robot does not require any sensors. The students are challenged to design and create their arms for picking up and disposing of the fake poop. Make sure your students have time to show the rest of the class their PoopBot and explain how their program works.

The SnowBot Challenge is to design and program a SnowBot that can clear all the snow from the driveway (e.g., a designated space). The robot does not require any sensors. Students are challenged to design and create their own wedge for plowing the snow. Programming requires incorporating measurement of distance and angles in terms of wheel rotations, which requires multiplication and proportional thinking. 

The Search and Rescue Challenge is to design and program a robot that can save Tom. Tom was  playing in a field (or by a cliff) and he broke his leg. There is poison ivy everywhere. It is unsafe for other humans to try and approach him. The students are tasked to design a robot that can find Tom and bring him back to safety. Their robot designs require a sensor and a medium motor. 

The Drop a Block Challenge is to design a robot that can carry a block from the START position to the END position and drop the block. The robot follows the lines without leaving the path (extra points) in a sequence of straights and turns. Students relate the length of straight segments to wheel rotations, and can also learn about the mathematical relation of turning radius and programming code, i.e., how the robot travels along a curve is realized by programming the <Move Steering Block>.