Build your first bot

Build a two-button counter before buying a board.

Use a short trial to match the project to the learner.

Estimate what one station needs before buying a class set.

Compare complete baskets rather than the advertised board price.

Distinguish programming connections from portable power.

Run a complete install and transfer on a school device.

Use one button to switch between a name and a symbol.

Teach a sequence without connecting external LEDs.

Use the shake event to explore noisy input.

Compare sensor readings in three lighting conditions.

Turn a heading into a simple direction display.

Use two boards to test sending and receiving.

Explore duplicate messages and reset behaviour.

Use repeated trials to learn about randomness.

Map three random values to distinct icons.

Handle early and repeated presses explicitly.

Explore why two thresholds can reduce flicker.

Separate motor, power and code issues.

Measure movement on your actual floor.

Understand the sensor decision before buying hardware.

Distinguish control signals from motor power.

Start with the simplest transferable program.

Make input behaviour visible.

Separate code logic from physical behaviour.

Plan one success, one modification and one explanation.

Share kit time and make the reasoning audible.

Assess the process as well as the moving robot.