Exploring Computer Science students had fun testing their programming skills through an end-of-the-unit robotics project that challenged them to train their robots to complete an obstacle course hands-free.
To successfully complete this obstacle course (and thus earning a passing grade), the students’ robots had to be programmed to first reverse out of their designated parking spots and navigate the maze without touching any walls. Throughout the maze the ‘bots encountered different challenges, such as pushing a movable wall, turning corners, and maneuvering Wiffle balls into crates. The final leg of the obstacle course required that the robots follow a blue line back to the starting location and park in the original spot.
“To prepare students for this programming journey, they learned how to properly use multiple sensors and several different types of control blocks,” explains Computer Science teacher Margaret Kelliher.