Meet your coding robot sidekick! In this hands-on class, students will use the Code Builder feature and block-based programming (similar to Scratch) to explore foundational coding concepts like sequencing and loops.
They’ll program their “Agent” robot to complete fun challenges—navigating mazes, building simple structures, and clearing areas—all while developing computational thinking in an engaging, interactive environment.
Weekly Topics and Projects
Week 1
- Topic(s) Covered: Introduction to Code Builder, Agent movement basics (forward, back, turn).
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to walk in a straight line for 10 blocks.
Week 2
- Topic(s) Covered: Turning and relative movement.
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to walk around a 5×5 square.
Week 3
- Topic(s) Covered: Introducing loops (repeat block).
- Simple Project: Use a loop to make the Agent clear a 3×3 area of dirt.
Week 4
- Topic(s) Covered: Agent placing and destroying blocks.
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to build a 3×3 platform of a specific block.
Week 5
- Topic(s) Covered: Agent teleports and coordinates.
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to teleport to two different locations and place a block at each.
Week 6
- Topic(s) Covered: Simple conditionals (if/then) – basic obstacle detection.
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to walk forward, but if there’s an obstacle in front, it turns right.
Week 7
- Topic(s) Covered: Nested loops.
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to build a simple 4×4 wall, layer by layer, using nested loops.
Week 8
- Topic(s) Covered: Functions/Procedures (creating custom blocks).
- Simple Project: Create a custom block called “build_pillar” that makes the Agent build a vertical pillar of a certain height.
Week 9
- Topic(s) Covered: Agent inventory and giving items.
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to give the player 10 iron ingots.
Week 10
- Topic(s) Covered: Using Agent for simple mazes (left/right turns).
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to navigate a pre-designed simple L-shaped maze.
Week 11
- Topic(s) Covered: Agent building simple structures (e.g., a small room).
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to build a small 5×5 room with walls.
Week 12
- Topic(s) Covered: Agent “collecting” tasks (picking up specific blocks).
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to move around an area and pick up all instances of a specific block type (e.g., wood).
Week 13
- Topic(s) Covered: Agent and player interaction (e.g., chat commands).
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to respond to a simple chat command (e.g., “build”) by performing an action.
Week 14
- Topic(s) Covered: Combining multiple concepts for a larger task.
- Simple Project: Program the Agent to build a small, simple “shelter” (a room with a roof) at a specified location.
Dates & Times
August 28 – December 11, 2025
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
No class: October 2, November 27
Program Vendor