Black Boys Code Gwinnett County - Sequencing Robots in Motion

Workshop Overview

Continue the technology year with an exciting hands-on LEGO Robotics experience! Students will build on their coding and robotics skills using LEGO SPIKE Prime, moving from simple sequences to loops, variables, measurements, and real robot movement.

Beginners will discover how loops make coding more efficient as they build a two-motor driving robot, program it to move and turn, and challenge themselves to drive around a square. Advanced learners will take their engineering and Python skills further by working with variables, data types, wheel circumference, gear ratios, and drivetrain calibration to make their robots move accurately over measured distances.

Students will also explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist with coding. Rather than simply accepting AI-generated answers, they will test, review, and evaluate AI-generated code to identify mistakes and determine whether it actually works.

Whether returning from last month or joining the program for the first time, students will have the opportunity to code, build, predict, test, debug, measure, and improve their robotic creations.

Beginner Track - Loops and Your First Driving Robot

Beginner learners will move from individual instructions to repeated sequences and discover why programmers use loops instead of writing the same commands again and again. Students will build a two-motor LEGO SPIKE Prime drive base, program it to travel across the floor, experiment to find the correct quarter turn, and ultimately program their robot to drive around a square.

Beginner Track Learning Outcomes

• Understand and use loops to make coding sequences more efficient.
• Build and program a two-motor LEGO SPIKE Prime driving robot.
• Program the robot to move, turn, and complete a square driving path.
• Test, debug, and evaluate their own and AI-generated code.

Advanced Track - Variables, Data Types & a Calibrated Drivetrain

Advanced learners will take robotics further using real Python programming and engineering calculations. Students will explore variables, integers, floats, strings, wheel circumference, and gear ratios while learning how these concepts affect real robotic movement.

They will build and calibrate a drivetrain, calculate the motor rotations required to travel a chosen distance, use Python print statements to examine their calculations, and troubleshoot coding errors. Students will also evaluate AI-generated improvements to their code and determine whether the AI's suggestions actually make the program better.

Advanced Track Learning Outcomes

• Use variables and understand key Python data types, including integers, floats, and strings.
• Calculate wheel circumference and gear ratios to control robotic movement.
• Build and calibrate a drivetrain to travel measured distances accurately.
• Test, debug, and critically evaluate their own and AI-generated Python code.

Take-Home Assignment

Students will receive a Take-Home Assignment after the workshop to reinforce the coding concepts and skills learned during the session.

The assignment can be completed through a web browser and does not require a LEGO kit or robot at home. Students can complete and submit their work through their Moodle account using any computer or tablet with internet access. An offline alternative will also be available where required.

Materials Provided FREE

All materials required for the workshop will be provided free of charge by our organization, including:

• iPads with the LEGO SPIKE app installed.
• LEGO SPIKE Prime kits with hubs, motors, sensors, gears, and wheels.
• Student workbooks and coding worksheets.
• Moodle accounts for submitting assignments, completing assessments, and tracking student progress.

No equipment or previous robotics experience is required.

Students simply need to come ready to build, code, loop, calculate, test, debug, and bring their robots to life!

If you’re unsure who your Chapter Leader is, please contact eventsupport@blackboyscode.com to get connected and learn how you can support your local team.