Session 3 — Obstacle Avoidance

Opening concept: Sensors let robots react to the world automatically.

Physical activity: PL-6 (Obstacle Avoidance Rule) — students walk the room with the “always turn right” rule. After 2 minutes, debrief the corner-trap problem. Then scan the barcode and watch Edison hit the same failure mode.

Activity:

• Scan the obstacle avoidance barcode. Edison detects and turns away from objects automatically.
• Build a simple obstacle field with blocks or cups. Watch Edison navigate it.
• Students predict: what will Edison do next? (computational thinking — trace the logic)
• Challenge: can you make an obstacle field Edison can’t escape from?

Engineering connection: Understand + Imagine — how do you trap it, or help it escape?

Materials: Cups/blocks for obstacles, complete barcode list