Sometimes we can program, and it's not just about the website or the app! As an addition to our Hour of Code, another activity we worked on was collaborating to make robot follow our directions. Here we are using Valiant Technologies Roamer Too with the Early Years accessory. The Early Years accessory is the piece on top that allows the roamer to go forward, backward, and make 90 degree angle turns to the right and left.
First, we let the students explore to learn how to use the buttons and experience how the Roamer moves around when given commands. There was much laughter, smiles, and cheering. The students love the fact that Roamer will sometime talk to them to say what is going to happen.
Once the students had a little bit of hands on time with the robot, we then ask the students to travel through a terrible snow storm, pick up holiday gifts, dark woods, to finally arrive at the Gingerbread Man's house.
There was a lot of collaboration as to where exactly the Roamer should go and which way to turn. It required communication on all team members' parts to arrive at the final destination. Everyone was fully engaged and were not ready to move on to another activity. In fact, at one point a Kindergarten group was working in the library when a 3rd grade class came by and noticed what was happening. The 3rd graders insisted they try the same activity the next day. Engaging, problem-solving by all ages!
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