From Mini Rover Programs to Algebraic Expressions

During their second year of a junior high school, pupils wrote programs for autonomous mini robots using a Logo-like language supplemented by an integrated development environment specifically implemented for them. Then pupils and teachers together performed a static analysis of programs in order to specify the length of the paths each robot covers when programs are run. If a robot mounts sensors and the analyzed program uses them, the path covered during each run generally changes and has a different length. Pupils found that it can be specified with an expression containing variables. This analysis associating algebraic expressions to robot programs provided teachers for a support motivating elementary algebra, a typical subject addressed in junior high schools. Thus it is an example of how robotics can be used as means to introduce and concretely manipulate topics of traditional disciplines. It can be integrated in standard school curricula and become a constructionist learning tool for pupils involved in programming activities.