In this lesson, youth learn about how coding is used to make robots work through a self-guided video and practice basic coding instructions on paper. The Permission to Come Aboard with Algorithms handout and self-guided video of the lesson are provided.  

To prepare for the lesson:

1. Print out copies of the Permission to Come Aboard with Algorithms handout for everyone.
2. Review the handout and be ready to model the pseudocode instructions provided in Question 1 of the handout.
3. Set up the self-guided interactive Permission to Come Aboard  on your class computer. Make sure you have sound and internet access set up for the computer. It’s recommended to have the site projected on a large screen so youth can follow along together.
4. Pencils and a piece of paper for everyone.

During the lesson:

5. Follow the instructions on the Permission to Come Aboard  Interactive. As you click through the steps on the interactive lesson, you’ll notice that there is an audio recording of the written descriptions for each section of the lesson. Play the audio so youth have a choice between listening to the words or reading the words on the screen.
6. Have youth answer the quizzes that come up throughout the lesson together.
7. When the interactive lesson is complete, ask youth to pull out their piece of paper and pencil. 
8. Model the first question on the handout by asking students to follow your pseudocode instructions: Start, Go Forward, Turn Left, Go Forward, Turn Right, Go Forward, End. What do they come up with? Does everyone have the same drawing?
9. Distribute the Permission to Come Aboard with Algorithms handout. Have youth work on the handouts in pairs or small groups.
10. If time permits, have youth work on the challenge question.