Direct a Robot

Students interpret diagram features as 2D representations of a 3D environment in a game format. Students develop their understanding of the concepts of 2D representations of 3D environments, relative position and relative direction.

Teacher notes

• The aim of the game is to create a pathway around the obstacles, collect as many samples as possible (each having a value attached) and return to the mother ship using the least amount of fuel.
• Students are shown a map of the planetís surface including the locations of the robot, obstacles and samples. They program a pathway using direction and/or number of distance units to move the robot around the surface of a planet.
• Students must visualise the pathway assisted by the map of a planetís surface to determine the location and required movement of the robot.
• A grid is available to help with determining units of distance.
• A mission report is provided with a score.
• A printout is available.

Learning objects

	Direct a robot: how far? Students are presented with a partially finished route. The direction steps have been predetermined but the number of units for the moves are missing. Students select the numbers of units needed to complete the pathway, collect the samples and return to the mother ship.
	Direct a robot: which way? Students are presented with partially finished route, this time with the distance steps predetermined so the students must determine the best direction to collect all the samples and return to the ship.
	Direct a robot: collector Students program a pathway by selecting both the direction and number of units the robot will move to collect all the samples and return to the ship.