Bee-Bot ruler

1. Support students to create their own Bee-Bot ruler (15 cm) and demonstrate how far the Bee-Bot moves when programmed to move forwards or backwards one step.

2. Provide a set of vertical and horizontal lines of different lengths. (Draw a set of vertical and horizontal lines of different lengths on large sheets of chart paper and place these on the floor. Alternatively, use the sides of objects or classroom furniture as items to be measured, eg bookshelf, desks/tables, doorway.)

Visual impairment:

Students with limited or no vision can participate by having one hand on the Bee-bot and one on the table/ground to feel and hear how far the Bee-bot moves in one step. They can use their outstretched thumb and index finger, or similar, to predict the length of various physical objects. After students estimate length of an object using their fingers/hands, they use the Bee-bot to see if their estimate was correct.

Also a craft feather attached to the top of Bee-bot enables students with limited or no vision the ability to feel (sense) the direction and distance.

3. Invite students to estimate the length of the various lines or pieces of furniture. The Bee-Bot rulers may be used to help students estimate the lengths.
4. Record the estimates and program the Bee-Bot to travel the estimated length. Students may need support calculating increments of 15 cm.
   
5. Working in pairs, students can continue to estimate and measure other lengths around the classroom or school.

• Compare estimates with actual measurements.
• Ask 'What functions does the Bee-Bot have that makes it a useful tool for measuring length?'
• Consider ways to program the Bee-Bot to follow the path of a two-dimensional shape. What extra instructions would the Bee-Bot need to undertake this task?
• Through discussion and examples, support students in understanding why is it important to give the Bee-Bot a precise set of instructions.

This activity is an authentic way to introduce students to simple programming while consolidating measurement concepts. It focuses on developing foundational skills in computational thinking, and on developing an awareness of digital systems through personal experience of them.

F–2 students should be provided with opportunities to explore new concepts such as algorithms through guided play, including hands-on, kinaesthetic and interactive learning experiences. Students begin to develop their design skills by conceptualising algorithms as a sequence of steps/procedures for carrying out instructions to solve simple problems or achieve certain things, such as identifying steps in a process or controlling a Bee-Bot.

At the F–2 level, where learning at the pre-programming stage is the expectation, there is no requirement to learn a particular programming language. However, in years F–2 students do learn some basic programming skills, such as working out steps and decisions required to solve simple problems. For example, they program a robotic toy or sprite to move in a certain direction. The focus at this level is on designing a sequence of steps.