Hour of Code™ 2020
with iRobot™ Education
The Hour of Code takes place every year on Computer Science Education Week, during which we celebrate the accomplishments of two of the world's first computer programmers: Admiral Grace Hopper and Lady Ada Lovelace.
To honor these coding heroes, we have designed six new activities for you to try. This year, each of these activities place special emphasis on using #CSforGood and creating positive social change. Check them out below, or explore our Learning Library for more!
Remote, Hybrid or In-Person
Telephone Drawing
Modeled after the classic game of Telephone, students will receive, remix, and pass along code down the telephone chain. Will your team fulfill the Picture Goal by the time you reach the end?
Students may also complete this activity using Root® SimBots in the iRobot® Coding app.
Remote, Hybrid or In-Person
Guess the Code
Modeled after the classic game of Pictionary™, this game challenges students to interpret code and compete to guess the pictures drawn and songs sung by the virtual Root® SimBot.
Students may also complete this activity using Root® SimBots in the iRobot® Coding app.
Remote, Hybrid or In-Person
Robot Feelings: The Kind Playground
Root is learning how to make kind choices when playing with friends. Let’s help with some practice in this lucky spin game! Who will be the first to get Root to make four kind choices in a row?!
Students may also complete this activity using Root® SimBots in the iRobot® Coding app.
Remote, Hybrid or In-Person
Traffic Bot
Traffic signals are a staple of safety in our everyday lives AND a way that we all interact with code in the real world! Complete the coding challenges and discover who invented the traffic signal!
Students may also complete this activity using Root® SimBots in the iRobot® Coding app.
Remote, Hybrid or In-Person
Seeing the Whole Picture
Just like the different sensors on a robot, our friends can often see, hear, feel or understand things that we cannot. It’s important to listen to others’ points of view. Make sure to listen to what your teammates see in this Crack-the-Code challenge.
Students may also complete this activity using Root® SimBots in the iRobot® Coding app.
Remote
Simulator Code Break
Learn how to create and download coding projects with this activity packet! Solve all puzzles with the Root® SimBot in the virtual arena to reveal the secret message at the end!
This activity is designed to be completed using Root® SimBots in the iRobot® Coding app.
Did you finish all of the activities?
Get Your Completion Certificate!
What Educators are Saying
I teach students with learning disabilities and one of the challenges I face with [other software] is that there is a lot of reading involved. The visual nature of level one with the iRobot Coding app means I can make lessons accessible for everyone at that level, and then differentiate for students who are ready to progress, which isn’t always possible. Jen Gilbert
The teachers were surprised at how quickly the kids were able to pick it up. Teachers can be really nervous about it [coding] and shy away from it, but putting it [Root®] in front of the kids they’re going to figure it out. You don’t need to know how to do it, you need to know how to teach them the content you want them to use. It doesn’t have to be something that’s going to be a huge learning curve for you, as the teacher, to be able to take on. Rachel Smith
The kids were immediately engaged [with Root®] and the teachers are really learning along with the students, they’re very excited. We had the kids do a sidewalk activity, where they had to make Root® navigate a path along the factors of, let’s say 4. It was a fun activity and it connected to the curriculum and what they were learning. Amy Benford