Classroom Resource

Robot Race

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

3, 5

Overview

Creating a robot capable of safely navigating its environment without human intervention has been a goal of engineers ever since they first conceived of robots nearly 50 years ago. Despite rapid advancements in technology, however, engineers did not succeed in the task of designing autonomous robots until recently. This video segment adapted from NOVA follows two teams as they push their engineering design skills to the limit to develop systems that allow cars to drive themselves in the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge. This video comes with discussion questions. This video can be played during a lesson on creating an algorithm to solve a problem as a collaborative team.

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 3

DLCS18.3.5

Create an algorithm to solve a problem as a collaborative team.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.3.5

Vocabulary

  • algorithm
  • collaborative

Knowledge

Students know:
  • an algorithm can be used to solve a problem or complete a task.
  • the steps in creating an algortihm as a collaborative team.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • work as a collaborative team to create a problem-solving algorithm.
  • list steps in solving a problem.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • algorithms are used to solve problems or complete a task in a step-by-step process.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 5

DLCS18.5.2

Create an algorithm to solve a problem while detecting and debugging logical errors within the algorithm.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.5.2

Vocabulary

  • algorithm
  • debug
  • detect
  • logical errors

Knowledge

Students know:
  • an algorithm is a logical set of steps to solve a problem.
  • detecting and debugging logical errors within an algorithm will ensure the algorithm serves to solve a problem successfully.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • create an algorithm to solve a problem while detecting and debugging logical errors within the algorithm.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • debugging an algorithm is searching for logical errors within the algorithm.
  • an algorithm is a set of steps to solve a problem.
  • how to create an algorithm to solve a problem while detecting and debugging logical errors within the algorithm.
Link to Resource
https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/eng06.sci.engin.systems.robotrace/ro…

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

PBS
Accessibility

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
License

License Type

Custom

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/help/terms-of-use/

Comments or Notes

PBS Learningmedia is a free resource for educators.  Educators can create an account to save resources to their dashboard and assign resources to students.

Approved Date

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