Week 5: Simple Simulation of Programming
Overview of the Activity
Inspired by the peanut-butter jelly sandwich challenge, this activity encourages groups of three to four people to work with each other on a set of instructions for the "robot officer" to achieve certain tasks. Members have to try to be specific about their instructions in order to succeed.
First Challenge: Robot Drinks Water
In this challenge, each group had to make a code that commands the robot officer to drink water from a water bottle within 15 minutes. Afterward, the instructions were read out loud for the "robot" to follow. During the first run, there were many vague instructions: some didn't include which direction the robot should turn the bottle cap, some didn't include how long the robot should turn the bottle cap. Mistakes were explained, and each group had another chance to fix their code. In the second run, members learned their mistakes and were more successful.
Second Challenge: Robot Charges Phone
In the second challenge, each group made a code that commands the second robot officer to plug in a portable battery to a phone using a charger. Members were given another 15 minutes to work together and compile a code for this. Since they only had one try, groups had very specific and clear instructions for the robot to do.
Programming Programming Skills!
The activity is a simple simulation of programming. Programmers have to be specific about instructions to prevent the robot from doing unexpected actions. The activity also describes programming process: program something with a desired image in their head, test the instructions on an actual robot, identify mistakes and solutions, and repeat. Some groups also utilized loops and logic statements which is very nice.