Alternate Coding Methods

Adapt this Unit to Use Alternate Coding Methods

This STEM Lab Unit is written to use the touch buttons on the 123 Robot to touch to code. However, it can also be completed using the Coder or VEXcode 123. 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 of the coding activities with VEXcode 123 to move the robot to spell a word. The Summary section of each Lab contains additional information that can help you modify the individual Lab to use VEXcode 123.

Coder Adaptation

If using the Coder with this Unit, give each group a Coder and a set of Coder cards. The following cards are recommended:

Coder Card	Behavior	Count
	Starts the project when the ‘Start’ button on the Coder is pressed.	1
	123 Robot will drive forward 1 robot length (1 step).	4
	123 Robot will turn in place 90 degrees to the left.	2
	123 Robot will turn in place 90 degrees to the right.	2

For more information about how to use the Coder, see the Using the VEX Coder VEX Library article.

In Lab 1, students will drive over the letters of a word written on a 123 Tile. The following is a possible Coder card solution for the Lab 1 activity that will move the 123 Robot in the same way that is shown in the animation in the Lab. Have students place the 123 Robot on the bottom-left corner of the 123 Tile and press the Start button on the Coder to run their project.

Example Coder project that reads When start 123, drive 1, turn right, drive 1, and finally drive 1. — Example Coder solution for Lab 1

In Lab 2, students will drive to clear the pompoms off of the 123 Tile. The following is an example of a possible Coder card solution for the Play Part 2 that will move the 123 Robot in the same way that is shown in the animation in the Lab.

Example Coder project that reads When start 123, drive 1, drive 1, turn right, and finally drive 1. — Example Coder solution for Lab 2

VEXcode 123 Adaptation

You can also adapt this Unit to use VEXcode 123. Students can use the [Drive for] and [Turn for] blocks for the coding activities in this Unit. The [Drive for] block moves the Drivetrain on the 123 Robot forward or in reverse a given distance.

VEXcode 123 Drive For block that reads 'drive forward for 1 step'. — [Drive for] block

The [Turn for] block will turn the Drivetrain on the 123 Robot right or left a given distance.

VEXcode 123 Turn For block that reads 'turn right for 90 degrees'. — [Turn for] block

For more information on how to work with VEXcode 123, see the VEXcode 123 Section of the VEX Library.

Here is a possible VEXcode 123 Solution for Lab 1, to drive over the letters in their word. This solution will move the 123 Robot in the same way that is shown in the animation in the Lab.

VEXcode 123 Blocks solution that reads When started, drive forward for 1 step, turn right for 90 degrees, drive forward for 1 step, and finally drive forward for 1 step. — Example Solution for Lab 1 - Code and Read

The following is an example of a possible VEXcode 123 Solution for Lab 2 that will move the 123 Robot as shown in the animation in Play Part 2 of the Lab.

VEXcode 123 Blocks solution that reads When started, drive forward for 2 steps, turn right for 90 degrees, and finally drive forward for 1 step. — Example Solution for Play Part 2 of Lab 2 - Code and Clean

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