World Space Week / Mars Rover Command Grid
Mars Rover Command Grid
One child plays a Mars rover, following arrow-card commands written by 'mission control' to collect rock samples across a chalk grid, practising unplugged coding.
How to run it
- Draw a large grid (about 6 by 6 squares) in chalk and place 'rock samples' (beanbags or pebbles) in some squares.
- In small teams, have mission control plan a route using forward, turn left and turn right arrow cards.
- The rover follows the cards exactly, one step at a time, without help.
- If the rover misses a sample, the team 'debugs' the commands and tries again, then swap roles.
You will need
- chalk
- beanbags or pebbles
- arrow command cards
- crates for obstacles (optional)
Make it easier or harderYounger children can plan just three or four moves; older children can add obstacles, a battery limit or 'repeat' cards.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4, Outcome 5Children practise sequencing and problem-solving, communicating precise instructions and testing them as a team.
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