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Session 14: Dash Challenge 🤖

Overview

Grades: 3-4 | Duration: 40 minutes | Session: 14 of 17

Students apply their coding skills to complete advanced Dash robot challenges, demonstrating growth since Session 2.

Session 14: Dash Challenge

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Program complex sequences for Dash

  • Use loops and conditionals effectively

  • Solve multi-step challenges

  • Demonstrate growth in coding skills

Session 14: Dash Challenge

Materials Needed

  • 🤖 Dash Robots (from CSCOE library)

  • 📱 Tablets with Wonder app

  • 🚧 Challenge course materials

  • 📋 Challenge cards

  • 📓 Engineering journals

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Thomas Aquinas — Used logical thinking to solve complex problems. Programming requires similar logical reasoning!

Scripture

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete." — James 1:4

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you gave us minds that can solve complex problems. Help us persevere through challenges today. When things are hard, give us patience and creativity. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (5 minutes)

  1. Growth Celebration:
  2. "Remember Session 2 when we met Dash?"
  3. "Look how much you've learned!"
  4. Today's Challenge:
  5. More complex missions
  6. Require planning and problem-solving
  7. St. Thomas Aquinas:
  8. Brilliant thinker
  9. Didn't give up on hard questions
  10. "Perseverance leads to success!"

Main Activity: Challenge Course (27 minutes)

Part 1: Quick Review & Connect (3 minutes)

  • Connect to Dash

  • Quick test movements

  • Review block programming

Part 2: Challenge Missions (20 minutes)

Mission 1: Precision Navigation (4 min)

  • Navigate exact path marked on floor

  • Must stay on the line!

  • Use precise measurements

Mission 2: Sensor Challenge (5 min)

  • Program Dash to react to obstacles

  • Stop before hitting

  • Back up and go around

  • Requires sensor blocks

Mission 3: Sound & Light Show (4 min)

  • Create programmed performance

  • Combine movement, lights, sounds

  • Time duration: 30 seconds exactly

Mission 4: Obstacle Course (5 min)

  • Complete course with multiple obstacles

  • Cups to go around

  • Lines to follow

  • Target to reach

  • Best time wins!

Mission 5: Creative Challenge (2 min)

  • Open-ended: Program something amazing!

  • Show off your best skills

Part 3: Showcase (4 minutes)

  • Volunteers demonstrate best solutions

  • Celebrate creativity and problem-solving

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Draw the hardest challenge you completed
  2. Write: "My approach was..."
  3. Compare: "In Session 2 I could... Now I can..."
  4. Write: "When my code didn't work, I..."

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Growth Reflection — "How have your coding skills improved?"
  2. Perseverance — "What did you do when stuck?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for helping us grow. Thank you for the gift of perseverance. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Completed multiple challenges

  • Used advanced programming features

  • Demonstrated problem-solving

  • Showed growth from Session 2

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Simpler challenge versions

  • Partner with experienced peer

  • Extra guidance available

For Advanced Students

  • Create challenges for others

  • Use advanced Blockly features

  • Lead team missions

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Tell your family about the challenges you conquered! What was hardest? How did you solve it? Talk about times your family persevered through difficulties. Try coding challenges on Scratch at home!

Teacher Notes

  • Reserve Dash robots 2 weeks in advance

  • Set up courses before class

  • Compare to Session 2 growth

  • Document for portfolio

  • Celebrate perseverance!

Previous: Session 13 — Easter Tech
Next: Session 15 — Simple Machines