STEM Lesson Plan
The Amazing Race!
Target Grades: 6-12
Standards/Topics Covered (NGSS):
Science and Engineering Practices:
Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information. Evaluating the merits and validity of ideas
and standards.
Constructing explanations and designing solutions supported by multiple sources of evidence.
Planning and carrying out investigations.
Central Focus:​ In this investigation, students will program robots to navigate a series of
geographical-based locations using clues, with a goal toward completing the task in the shortest
amount of time.
Background Information:​ Students should be familiar with basic programming; any robots can
be used to complete this activity (the activity was designed with Sphero Mini in mind). Younger
students can use drag and drop; older students should use text-based programming.
Materials:
Sphero Mini, Spark or Bolt
Computers with internet access.
A very large map of the country (either purchased or drawn on roll paper).
Student Instructions (one per team).
Small maps of the country (one per team).
Instructions:
1. Divide students into small teams.
2. Hand out robots. Give some time for free investigation.
3. Hand out student instruction sheet and review goals with students.
4. Students will assess the location clues to determine the locations they must visit and
work as a team to program their robot to complete the task.
5. Students should complete at least three trial runs, reprogramming to improve their time
after each run.
6. For each trial of the map, students will collect time and distance data which they will
graph and share out.
Closure:
Students will share out their solutions, times, and graphed data.
Solutions to clues:
1. San Francisco, California.
2. Akron, Ohio.
3. Phoenix, Arizona
4. Boston, Massachusetts
5. Annapolis, Maryland
6. Juneau, Alaska
More State Capital Clues can be found here:
https://www.farandwide.com/s/state-capitals-quiz-b06df6eccf1d4ff1
The Amazing Race!
Student Instructions
Your robot has been signed up for The Amazing
Race!
Your goal is to review the clues below and
program your robot to visit each location in the
shortest time possible.
You will collect data reflecting each trial your
robot completes and summarize your trials in a
graph.
You MUST visit each location IN ORDER and
you must come within 2 cm in any direction of the
target location.
Directions:
1.
Determine the location for each clue. Use the internet if necessary.
2.
Record locations on your map.
3.
Refer to the large classroom map on the floor; take any necessary notes and
measurements to begin programming your robot to complete The Amazing Race!
4.
Complete at least THREE trials with a goal of improving your time/distance each trial.
Use a stopwatch to record your time in seconds. Record your time in a data table.If you finish
early, complete more trials!
5.
Create a graph(s) that summarizes your trials showing time, distance and average speed
for each trial. Make sure your graphs are properly labeled.You may use Excel, Sheets or paper
and pencil.
6.
Be prepared to share your solution with the class. Share your most effective program.
Discuss what your graph shows. Did your time improve with each trial? How does your graph
reflect that?
Location Clues:
1.
You will begin in the city where the Golden Gate Bridge is located.
2.
Your first stop will be the city once considered the Rubber Capital of the World.
3.
Proceed to the state capital that used to be called “pumpkinville.”
4.
Your next stop is the state capital that was once flooded by molasses!
5.
Look for the capital with the nation’s largest crab feast! That’s your next stop.
6.
Your final stop will be the nation’s largest state capital (in square miles.