Lesson Plan

Solving a Simple Maze

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This Solving a Simple Maze lesson plan also includes:

It is a-maze-ing how lost one can get. Teams reconstruct a simple maze and solve it. Participants create an algorithm that a robot would follow in order to solve the maze as well. The activity includes an extension directing pupils to program an actual robot to solve the maze.

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CCSS: Designed
Instructional Ideas
  • Use this activity in a math lesson on sequences and patterns by altering the maze so that it follows a set sequence
  • After generalizing an algorithm, have teams determine whether that algorithm would work for another maze
Classroom Considerations
  • A video of a maze-solving robot is needed to set the scene
  • Acquire materials for building mazes such as styrofoam and cardboard
  • Lessons suggests learners have background knowledge of programming and algorithms
Pros
  • Teams are provided with an evaluation worksheet to review results
  • Presents algorithms as a set of step-by-step instructions
Cons
  • Focus tends to be more on the reconstruction of a maze than the algorithm
  • The math standard is a fourth grade standard, but the age level is for high school
Common Core