Robotics Enrichment Program

Middle School “Robot + Game = ?” Majors Schedule

What happens when robots and games collide? In Robot + Game = ?, you’ll step into the role of a robotics engineer and game developer, using a game engine to bring intelligent machines to life in virtual worlds. Design and simulate autonomous robots - like drones that navigate through dynamic environments, avoiding obstacles in real time. Through hands-on projects, you’ll integrate LiDAR-based sensing and learning algorithms to develop robotic behavior.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Ability to use a game engine-based simulation to create and test robotic systems.
  • Problem-solving and teamwork through iterative development and testing.

Session 2

Goal: Create a simple robot game where a robot character navigates a world, senses obstacles, collects goals, and has sound + music.

1. Create Your Robot Character

  1. Go to MakeCode Arcade.
  2. Click New Project, name it.
  3. From the Sprites category, drag out set mySprite to sprite of kind Player.
  4. Click on the sprite image to draw your own robot character.
  5. Run the game to see your robot appear.

2. Build a Scene

  1. From Scene, drag out a set tilemap to block.
  2. Create a map with walls (e.g., maze or obstacle area).
  3. Add a starting area and some open space for the robot to move.

3. Add Autonomous Movement

  1. From Sprites, drag set mySprite vx to and set mySprite vy to.
  2. Give your robot an automatic velocity (e.g., vx = 50, vy = 0).
  3. Run the game — your robot should move on its own.

4. Simulate Sensing (Bumpers)

  1. From Sprites, use on sprite of kind Player hits wall.
  2. Inside, change the velocity so the robot turns (e.g., vx = 0, vy = 50).
  3. Test it — your robot should bounce or turn when it “senses” a wall.

5. Add a Goal

  1. Create another sprite (goal, treasure, or object).
  2. Place it on a random tile: use Scene → place sprite on top of random tile.
  3. Add an overlap event: on sprite of kind Player overlaps Goal.
  4. Inside, increase score by 1 and move the goal to a new random spot.

6. Add Music and Sound

  1. From Music, add play melody at the start of the game for background music.
  2. Add a play sound effect inside the overlap event (when robot gets a goal).
  3. Test - you should hear music and effects.

7. Make It a Game

  1. From Info, add a timer (e.g., 30 seconds).
  2. Challenge: How many goals can your robot collect before time runs out?
  3. Optional: Add hazards (enemies) that reduce score when touched.

Session 1

  • Introduction to Robotics
  • Virtual Robot Movements
    1. File -> Open Examples, select Drivetrain Moves and Turns
    2. Study the code blocks, run the example
    3. SELECT PLAYGROUND -> Wall Maze
    4. Modify the code to make it to the finish
    5. Save (Ctrl + S) your program
  • Object Sensing
    1. Open a new project
    2. File -> Open Examples -> Coral Reef Cleanup 3
    3. Test the example code
    4. Improve it
CATALOG