What is the Hour of Code™?

The Hour of Code is a global initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming. The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy is proud to support learners participating in the Hour of Code through a variety of free activities, all hosted through our CS-STEM Network. Read on to learn more. 

Virtual Robot Coding Activities

Iris Rover Challenge with VICE Virtual Robot
(Scaffolded coding, student-facing direct instruction)

The Iris Rover Challenge with VICE Virtual Robot is a sample activity from the full Coding and Computational Thinking with a Virtual Robot curriculum. In this activity, you will learn how to program the movement of a virtual robot from directly within your web browser while completing challenges themed after the real-world Iris Rover from Carnegie Mellon University. Begin the VICE Virtual Robot Iris Challenge on the CS-STEM Network > 

Virtual SPIKE Prime Coding - Iris Rover Challenge
(Scaffolded coding, student-facing direct instruction)

Virtual SPIKE Prime Coding - Iris Rover Challenge is a sample activity from the full Coding and Computational Thinking with Virtual SPIKE Prime curriculum. In this activity, you will learn how to program the movement of a Virtual SPIKE Prime robot from directly within your web browser while completing challenges themed after the real-world Iris Rover from Carnegie Mellon University. Begin the SPIKE Prime Iris Challenge on the CS-STEM Network > 

Virtual EV3 Sensabot Challenge
(Scaffolded coding, student-facing direct instruction)

In the Virtual EV3 Sensabot Challenge, you must program your EV3 robot to move from its starting location to three different lines, stopping at each line to perform an inspection, represented by raising and then lowering the robot’s arm. After completing inspections at all three lines, the robot should then back up and return home to its starting location. Begin the EV3 Sensabot Challenge on the CS-STEM Network > 

CoBot (Collaborative Robot) Coding Games

Super Slime Battle
(Use-Modify-Create coding, Tower-less Defense Game)

In a world where every day is Halloween, the citizens of Booville are the best at being terrifying. The families of Booville take pride in their community, from making glorious candy crops and producing some of the stickiest slime around! There’s only one problem. 

Every year the metal minions of Scarecorp try to steal your candy crops. Last year they succeeded, but this year, Booville is prepared. Booville High’s Baddest Slimeball crew have come together to protect the candy crops with slime weapons that gunk up their works. So get your crew and get ready to show Scarecorp and the Metal Minions that the only thing they’re getting this year is a slime bath.

Players play teen monsters who program their cobot pets to help them take down the Minions of Scarecorp who are after their town's candy harvest. Choose between four different wild characters and their cobotic pets, each with their own unique slime weapon. Play Super Slime Battle on the CS-STEM Network >

Zillah City: Fall of the Toxibots
(Use-Modify-Create coding, Third Person Tactical Game)

No one sleeps on Zillah City. A place where the ordinary is extraordinary, and the populace won’t stop till their city is free of Toxicorp. You play as one of the Zeds, a crew of teens dedicated to stamping out the menace of Toxibots, malware-corrupted robots that once belonged to Toxicorp, a giant corporation that threatened to turn your city into a sprawling wasteland. Originally Toxicorp’s robots were supposed to make life in Zillah City easier. However, after some nasty malware corrupted them, everything from drones to social robots was corrupted and sought to consume whatever machinery they could.

Most of the Toxibots were destroyed, but there are still some around town wreaking havoc. It’s time to get out and get going. Get geared up in the Zed Clubhouse with Coach, and program your cobot Beastie to help you capture the Toxibots before their numbers get too high. Sell the Toxibots back to Zillah City for their parts, and use the Zillah gems you get to buy new accessories to increase your skills. Play Zillah City on the CS-STEM Network >

Zillah Beats
(Scaffolded coding, Rhythm Game)

Thanks to the Zeds, Zillah City is thriving, and music is in the air. With Toxicorp kicked to the curb, it’s time to finish the job and clear out the Toxibots once and for all. Rumor has it, the famed Gargantua bot is online and sending the last Toxibots to trash the city block by block…. Grab your cobot hoverboard and get ready to groove, move, and finish off what you started!

Players program their cobot hoverbots to change lanes, avoid obstacles, and take out many Toxibots in this rhythm-styled game. Play Zillah Beats on the CS-STEM Network >

Acceleration City
(Open-ended coding, Open World Racing Game)

Gear up for an adventure in Acceleration City, where you can choose from a variety of vehicles, race, collect Minanimals, and explore with your very own Cobot companion. Experience the thrill of programming your Cobot to generate ramps and platforms, enhancing your gameplay and coding skills simultaneously.

Players program a personal Cobot companion to respond to your keypresses when exploring Acceleration City, as well as key colored trigger zones when racing. Play Acceleration City on the CS-STEM Network >