forward 2move a measured amount
Public lesson / Robotics
Can a Robot Follow Your Instructions?
A delivery robot receives 'go around the chair' as one command. A person understands; the robot does not. How can we replace vague intent with a sequence that can be tested on paper or in simulation?
Lesson rhythm
The idea moves toward a demonstration.
Story, problem, or provocation
Name the problem before opening the build.
Theory and concept
Make the hidden rule visible with small tests.
Guided build
Use the idea inside a working project system.
Modification challenge
Change one rule and predict the effect.
Demonstration and cleanup
Explain the result, save safely, and leave a known state.
Learning goals
What students should be able to do and explain.
- Break a goal into commands.
- Order movement and turn instructions.
- Predict final position and direction.
- Test a sequence in simulation or on paper.
- Revise one incorrect command.
Theory kernel
Small examples before the larger build.
turn rightchange direction, not position
pauseseparate actions visibly
repeat routereuse a reliable sequence
Guided-build preview
Robot Maze Logic
Deliver a repair part through a maze using instructions precise enough for a robot that cannot guess what 'go around it' means.
A maze or grid, A known start and direction, A command vocabulary, A predicted route.
Commands, Sequences, Movement, Direction, Coordinates.
A working version, one modification, one repaired problem, and an explanation.
Teacher checkpoints
Evidence before adding complexity.
- 1Each command has one meaning.
- 2Student predicts before running.
- 3Direction is tracked after each turn.
- 4The route reaches the target.
- 5One revision is justified.
Common mistakes
Pause, inspect, and test one cause.
- Using human phrases the system cannot execute.
- Losing track of direction after turns.
- Changing several route steps after one failure.
- Assuming the robot occupies no space.
Modification challenge
Three levels, one concept kept visible.
Higher levels are optional. They deepen the current idea rather than turning a beginner lesson into an unrelated advanced task.
Builder
- Add one obstacle and reroute.
Inventor
- Create reusable route segments.
Boss Level
- Write a route checker for a grid map.
End-of-class demonstration
Explain the work while it is still visible.
- What is the goal?
- Which command runs first?
- Where does the robot face now?
- Which command failed?
- How did the revision change the route?