Session 10: The Great Rescue Mission – Final Project
Session Architect: Muhammad Bilal
Duration: 50-60 minutes
Equipment Required:
- M3D Robotics kit with the servo motor and dumper/forklift attachment.
- Laptops with Scratch pre-installed.
- Small objects for the robot to rescue (e.g., toys, blocks).
- Black tape for marking a path.
- Paper and pencils for students to document their discoveries and ideas.
Learning Objectives:
- Apply everything learned so far to complete a final project.
- Use variables, conditionals, loops, and sensors to navigate obstacles and complete a task.
- Program the robot to display emotions and messages using Express and Show Text blocks during the mission.
- Develop problem-solving skills through a creative and collaborative project.
Resources:
Scratch code for session:
Grade 4 - Session 10.sb3 (132.2 KB)
1. Introduction to the Rescue Mission (10 minutes)
Activity:
Introduce the rescue mission project, where students will design and code a program for their robot to navigate obstacles, detect an object, and transport it back to a designated safe zone. Students will use everything they’ve learned so far, including line-following, object detection, servo motor control, and loops/conditionals. The robot will express emotions and display text as it goes through the rescue.
Instructions:
- Start with an exciting scenario:
“Today, your robot is going on an important rescue mission! Just like a real rescuer, your robot will show emotions when it’s on its mission. It’ll be serious while it’s looking for the object and happy when it returns safely with the rescued item.”
- Explain the stages of the mission:
- Path Navigation: The robot will follow a black tape path using the code you created.
- Obstacle Detection: Once the robot reaches the end of the path, it will go “off-road” to search for the object using its sensors.
- Object Rescue: The robot will use its dumper or forklift to collect the object and bring it back, showing emotions and messages during the rescue.
Teacher’s Role:
- Introduce the project in a fun, story-like way to make the rescue mission more engaging.
- Emphasize that the robot will show how it feels (e.g., serious when working, happy when returning) using the Express and Show Text blocks.
2. Programming the Rescue Mission (25 minutes)
Activity:
Students will work in pairs or small groups to code their robot’s rescue mission. They will use the Follow Path block, if-then logic, and motor blocks to guide the robot through the mission. Students will also use Express and Show Text blocks to give their robot personality during the rescue mission.
Instructions:
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Step 1: Path Navigation:
- Use the provided code file to guide the robot along the black tape path.
- Once the robot reaches the end of the path, it will transition to “off-road” mode.
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Step 2: Obstacle Detection:
- Use the Obstacle Detection Block so that the robot uses its distance sensor to detect an object in front of it.
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Step 3: Object Rescue with Personality:
- After the robot stops, students will use the Motor Up and Motor Down blocks to control the dumper/forklift and pick up the object.
- Program the robot to display messages and emotions:
- Before the robot reaches the object, use the Express block to show a “serious” face and the Show Text block to display “On a mission!”
- After picking up the object, change the expression to a smiley face and display a message like “Mission complete!” as it brings the object back.
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Step 4: Return to Safety:
- Program the robot to return to the start point, transporting the object back.
- Use additional expressions or messages, like “I did it!” or “Rescue success!”
Teacher’s Role:
- Guide students as they write their code, ensuring they incorporate expressions and messages to make their robot more interactive.
- Encourage creativity and let students decide what messages or expressions they want their robot to display during the mission.
3. Testing the Rescue Mission (15 minutes)
Activity:
Students will test their robot’s rescue mission, making sure the robot follows the path, detects the object, picks it up, and returns it to safety. Students will adjust their code based on the results of their tests and make sure the robot expresses itself correctly during the mission.
Instructions:
- You might say:
“Now it’s time to see if your robot can complete the rescue mission and show its feelings along the way. Let’s see if it can follow the path, find the object, and come back happy!”
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Encourage students to observe how their robot performs:
- Does the robot follow the path correctly?
- Does it detect the object and pick it up?
- Are the emotions and text displayed at the right moments?
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Allow time for students to adjust their code and re-test the mission.
Teacher’s Role:
- Guide students through the testing phase, helping them troubleshoot and refine their code.
- Make sure the robot’s expressions and messages appear at the right time to enhance the story-like aspect of the mission.
4. Reflection and Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
Activity:
Gather students to reflect on their final project. Let them share what they enjoyed about designing the rescue mission and what they found challenging. Celebrate their progress and creativity throughout the course.
Reflection Questions:
- “Was your rescue mission a success? If not, what were the reasons?”
- “What was the most fun part of programming your robot to show emotions during the rescue?”
- “How did your robot know when to stop and pick up the object?”
- “What would you change about your mission to make it more exciting?”
Teacher’s Role:
- Lead the reflection discussion, helping students think critically about the process of designing and coding their rescue mission.
- Celebrate the completion of their final project and encourage students to think about how they can apply what they’ve learned in future challenges.
Learning Outcome:
By the end of the session, students will have applied everything they’ve learned in the course to complete a complex, multi-step project. They will have reinforced their understanding of sensors, conditionals, loops, and variables, and they will have programmed their robot to show emotions and messages, adding a fun and creative element to the rescue mission.