Wouldn’t it be great to have a robot do your shopping for you? Students will use Blockly programming, where coding concepts are represented as interlocking blocks, to code Dash to “shop at a store.”
Learning Objectives
- Reinforce programming skills by having students create their own code.
- Incorporate social and emotional learning, as students consider helping others during a difficult time.
What You’ll Need
Hands-on
If you don’t have a Dash robot:
- Printed and cut out Blockly pieces from the Blockly Cut Outs worksheet
- Shopping list – Write out five items that you can gather at a grocery store.
- Materials to create your local grocery store layout – This can be a physical or sketch layout.
- Device to take photographs and videos
If you have a Dash robot:
- Shopping list – Write out five items that you can gather at a grocery store.
- Materials to create your local grocery store layout – This can be a physical or sketch layout.
- Device to take photographs and videos
Minds-on
- Creativity
- Empathy
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
Let’s Go Shopping (Virtually)!
During this time, there are so many people who cannot physically go out and need help with gathering weekly supplies. In this activity, students gather supplies and help deliver them to those in need.
For younger students and non-readers, have them use arrows to illustrate directions rather than the Blockly pieces.
- How many tries did it take for you to successfully get your robot to all the items on the grocery list?
- What were some of the challenges you had with coding?
- If you used a robot, what were some of the challenges with getting the robot to the correct item?
- What would you do differently if you tried this activity again?
For Students
- Robots are being used every day to help people. What would be another way that Dash could help others? Create an activity where Dash helps someone with a task.
- If you enjoyed Dash’s Gather and GO, sign up for the Wonder Challenge! Go to The Wonder Challenge for more fun activities!
For Teachers
- Dash’s Gather and GO activity is perfect for teaching students the concept of programming to help others. This activity can be used as a springboard to brainstorm other ways that students can code Dash to assist in making their community better. You can use the codes that your students created as a formative assessment to guide your next steps.
- Encourage your students to sign up for the full competition on the Wonder Workshop site. Visit The Wonder Challenge for more details.
