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.

Concepts

algorithms, robots, problem solving techniques, technology resources

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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

4.OA.C.5