BlueBot/BeeBot - 8 lesson program
Lesson 1: Introduction to BlueBots
Outcomes:
NSW: STe-2DP-T, STe-7DI-T
Aus: ACTDIK001, ACTDIK004
​Objective: Students will be introduced to BlueBots, learn how to turn them on and off, and understand basic functions.
1. Introduction (10 minutes)
- Begin by introducing the BlueBot to the class. Explain that it is a type of robot that they will be using over the next few weeks.
- Review the buttons learned in the previous lesson. Ask students to identify the “Forward” button.
- Ask students what they think robots can do and write their answers on the board.
​​
2. Main Activity (25 minutes)
- Show students how to turn the BlueBot on and off. Allow each student to take turns pressing the buttons.
- Explain the basic control buttons (e.g., forward, backward, left, right). Use simple language like “This button makes BlueBot move forward.”
- Let students explore the BlueBots by pressing different buttons and observing what happens.
​
3. Conclusion (10 minutes)
- Gather students in a circle and discuss what they observed. Ask questions like, “What happens when you press the forward button?”
- Summarise the lesson by explaining that students have learned the basic controls of BlueBots.
​
Lesson 2: Moving Forward
Outcomes:
NSW: STe-2DP-T, STe-7DI-T
Aus: ACTDIK001, ACTDIK004
​
Objective: Students will learn to program BlueBots to move forward a specific distance.
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Review the buttons learned in the previous lesson. Ask students to identify the “Forward” button.
2. Main Activity (30 minutes)
- Place a BlueBot on a grid mat and show students how pressing the “Forward” button moves the BlueBot one square.
- Challenge students to make the BlueBot move forward two squares by pressing the button twice. Allow them to test and observe.
- Break students into pairs or small groups. Give each group a BlueBot and let them practice making it move a set number of squares.
- Encourage them to predict how many times they need to press the button to reach a specific square.
3. Conclusion (10 minutes)
- Each group presents their findings. Discuss the relationship between the number of button presses and the number of squares moved.
​
​
Lesson 3: Turning Left and Right
Outcomes:
NSW: STe-2DP-T, STe-7DI-T
Aus: ACTDIK001, ACTDIK004
​
Objective: Students will learn to program BlueBots to turn left and right.
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Begin with a quick review of the “Forward” command from the last lesson.
- Show the “Left” and “Right” buttons on the BlueBot and explain what they do.
2. Main Activity (30 minutes)
- Place the BlueBot on the mat and demonstrate turning left and right using the respective buttons.
- Have students stand and physically turn left and right to reinforce the concept.
- Allow students to take turns programming the BlueBot to turn left or right on the mat. Use a visual cue like arrow cards to guide their decisions.
- Challenge them to create simple patterns, such as moving forward, turning left, and then moving forward again.
3. Conclusion (10 minutes)
- Have a few students share their turn patterns and explain what they did. Reinforce the concept of directionality.
​
Lesson 4: Sequencing Commands
Outcomes:
NSW: STe-2DP-T, STe-7DI-T
Aus: ACTDIK001, ACTDIK004
​
Objective: Students will learn to create simple sequences of commands.
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Review forward, left, and right commands. Ask students to recall what each button does.
2. Main Activity (30 minutes)
- Set up a simple maze on the mat and place the BlueBot at the start. Show how to use a sequence of commands (e.g., forward, left, forward) to move through the maze.
- Provide each group with a different maze and have them work together to sequence the commands needed to complete it.
- Encourage students to predict the path before testing their sequences on the BlueBot.
3. Conclusion (10 minutes)
- Each group presents their sequence and explains the reasoning behind it. Discuss any mistakes and how to correct them.
​
Lesson 5: Avoiding Obstacles
Outcomes:
NSW: STe-2DP-T, STe-7DI-T
Aus: ACTDIK001, ACTDIK004
​
Objective: Students will learn to program BlueBots to avoid obstacles.
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Review sequencing commands and discuss how obstacles can change a robot’s path.
2. Main Activity (30 minutes)
- Place obstacles on the maze mat. Explain that the goal is to program the BlueBot to reach the end without hitting any obstacles.
- Allow students to experiment with different sequences to find a path around the obstacles.
- Encourage them to think ahead and predict where the BlueBot will turn or stop.
3. Conclusion (10 minutes)
- Discuss the different strategies students used to avoid obstacles. Highlight successful paths and explain why they worked.
​
Lesson 6: Using Loops
Outcomes:
NSW: STe-2DP-T, STe-7DI-T
Aus: ACTDIK001, ACTDIK004
​
Objective: Students will learn to use loops to repeat commands.
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Explain the concept of repeating actions (e.g., clapping hands multiple times). Introduce the idea of using loops to repeat commands in programming.
2. Main Activity (30 minutes)
- Show students how to use a “Loop” card to make the BlueBot repeat the “Forward” command several times.
- Allow students to create sequences that use loops (e.g., move forward three times, turn left, and then loop the forward command).
- Ask students to predict the outcome of their loop sequences and test them.
3. Conclusion (10 minutes)
- Discuss the use of loops and how they make programming simpler. Compare a looped sequence with a longer sequence that doesn’t use loops.
​
Lesson 7: Combining Commands
Outcomes:
NSW: STe-2DP-T, STe-7DI-T
Aus: ACTDIK001, ACTDIK004
​
Objective: Students will combine forward, turn, and loop commands to navigate complex paths.
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Review all the commands learned so far (forward, turn, loop).
2. Main Activity (30 minutes)
- Provide students with complex mazes that require the use of multiple commands.
- Challenge them to program the BlueBot using a combination of forward, turn, and loop commands.
- Allow students to test, modify, and improve their sequences.
3. Conclusion (10 minutes)
- Share the sequences and discuss what worked well and what needed improvement.
​
Lesson 8: BlueBot Challenges
Outcomes:
NSW: STe-2DP-T, STe-7DI-T
Aus: ACTDIK001, ACTDIK004
​
Objective: Students will complete challenges using all the commands they have learned.
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Recap all the commands and concepts learned in previous lessons.
2. Main Activity (30 minutes)
- Set up different challenges for students, such as navigating a complex maze or reaching a specific target in the fewest moves.
- Allow students to choose their challenge and work independently or in pairs to solve it.
3. Conclusion (10 minutes)
- Discuss the strategies used for each challenge. Ask students to reflect on their learning and how they overcame obstacles.​