3 – Trial and Evaluation

• You will understand the constructs of sequencing, selection, and iteration – programming.
• Develop a physical computing solution using a micro:bit for navigating a robot around a set course.
• Learn how to design a flowchart diagram and the importance of pre-planning project.

• micro:bit
• algorithm
• workflow diagram

• sequencing
• iteration
• function

• robot

You learnt in the first lesson, an algorithm is a set of step–by–step instructions designed to solve a problem.

An example of an algorithm is the steps you follow to brush your teeth:

• Pick up toothbrush
• Put toothpaste on toothbrush
• Move toothbrush towards teeth
• etc.

Think about all the steps you need to take in making a slice of toast with butter and jam. For this exercise the bread, jam, and butter can all be found in the same cupboard.

Share and compare your thoughts and steps with a partner, try to plan every step you’ll need.

…

In the previous lesson you completed a course designed by your teacher.

This lesson your team will design a course and navigate the robot around the course.

You can design the course on paper or on the computer. From this you will then code the instructions to allow the robot to move around the course.

The robot will not drive on your drawing, it is used as a guide to follow for coding the movement instructions.

…

You will be assigned to a group of 3 or 4.

As a team you will design a new course layout. The layout must be a different design to the teachers course.

The course you design will be used as a guide for coding the movement instructions for your robot.

You can design your course using one of the following methods:

• Draw on paper using pencils
• Use computer software (Paint, Excel, PowerPoint)

Once you have completed the design of your course upload a screenshot to the Silver Badge section on Bourne to Learn

…

Just like last lesson, you will work as a team to create your code. You will have your own micro:bit to download your code on to, but you will share a robot within the group.

Using all the knowledge you have learnt from the previous lessons you are ready to create the code for your robot.

Make sure all group members test their code at least once during the activity.

• Create the code on the https://makecode.microbit.org/ website
• Download the code to your micro:bit
• Test your code in the robot, does it complete the course?
• When the robot successfully completes your course upload a screenshot of the code to the Gold Badge on Bourne to Learn.

…

You have now completed the robotics project. After you have completed a project it is important to evaluate what you have achieved, what skills you have learnt, and any improvements you would have made if you had the opportunity to start the project again from the beginning.

You are to complete the Platinum Badge activity on your own. Download and complete the Evaluation worksheet and upload to the Platinum badge on Bourne to Learn.

…

In this lesson, you…

• Designed your own course layout
• Programmed your micro:bit robot to complete your course
• Evaluated your performance during the project

In this unit, you…

• Understood the constructs of sequencing, selection, and iteration – programming
• Developed a physical computing solution using a micro:bit for navigating a robot around a set course
• Learnt how to design a flowchart diagram and the importance of pre-planning project

• Upload a screenshot of your completed course design to Bourne to Learn.

• Upload a screenshot of your micro:bit code to Bourne to Learn.

• Upload a screenshot of your completed evaluation worksheet to Bourne to Learn.