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Alternating Coding Methods

Adapt this Unit to Use an Alternate Coding Method

This STEM Lab Unit is written for use with the Coder and Coder cards. However, you can adapt the Labs in this Unit to use VEXcode 123 for the coding activities. This flexibility can help you meet the individual needs of your students. For example, if your students are familiar with VEXcode 123, they can complete all the coding activities with VEXcode 123. The Summary section of each Lab contains additional information that can help you modify the individual Lab. For more information on how to work with VEXcode 123, see the VEXcode 123 Section of the VEX Library.

VEXcode123 Adaption

  • To use VEXcode 123 for this lab, during Engage and Play Part 1, choose a variety of Drivetrain blocks that will cause the robot to move erratically around the field. You might also want to add in some blocks from the Sound or Looks categories. A possible “Over Excited” is shown below:

A VEXcode 123 project begins with a When started block with 10 blocks attached. The blocks read When started, Drive forward for 2 steps, Glow purple, Turn right for 180 degrees, Play sound honk, Drive forward for 1 step, then Glow blue, Play sound doorbell, Turn right for 90 degrees, Drive forward for 1 step, and lastly Turn left for 90 degrees.

  • In Lab 1, Play Part 2, when you are guiding your students to choose blocks to represent an in control behavior, you could use the blocks below to show “Moving Calmly”. 

A VEXcode 123 project begins with a When started block with 5 blocks attached. The project reads When started, Drive forward for 1 step, Wait 1 second, Drive forward for 1 step, Wait 2 seconds, and Drive forward for 1 step.

  • In Lab 2, Play Part 1, when you are guiding your students to choose blocks for a Calm Down strategy, you could use the blocks below to show “take a deep breath”.

A VEXcode 123 project begins with a When started block with 5 blocks attached. The project reads When started, Glow blue, Wait 2 seconds, Glow purple, Wait 4 seconds, then Play sound doorbell.

  • When you add another calm-down behavior to the project, you could add [Turn for] blocks to represent the human action of stretching from side to side.

A VEXcode 123 project begins with a When started block with 10 blocks attached. The project reads When started, Glow blue, Wait 2 seconds, Glow purple, Wait 4 seconds, Play sound doorbell, Turn left for 90 degrees, Turn right for 90 degrees, Wait 1 second, Turn right for 90 degrees, Turn left for 90 degrees.