KS3 Computing

Robotics: Spheros
Lesson 3: Morse code

Challenge: Morse code

Spelling an animal in Morse code with colours.
For example
Letter A in Morse code is:
Green delay 200ms,
No colour delay 200ms,
Green delay 600ms

Planning
Task 1: Think about the following questions to help plan your program.
What length of time will represent a dot and a dash?
What colour will represent which letter?
How will you distinguish when a letter starts and finishes?

Task 2: Program your sphero to spell your chosen animal.

Evidence

Screen shot of your program

The Morse code game

Task 3: Now challenge a partner to work out what animal you are spelling.

Did your partner work out the animal? Yes No

Attempt 1

Attempt 2
KS3 Computing
Robotics: Spheros
Animal sounds
Task 4: Explore the different animal sounds the sphero can make and create the program to spell
one of those animals.

Task 5: Iteration; in the context of computer programming, is a process where a set of instructions
are repeated in a sequence. Below is an example of one type of iteration instruction. Discuss with
your partner what the following diagram means.

Challenge: Extending the Morse code game

Show your understanding of Repeat Until iteration to play the sound of an animal you have just spelt
using Morse code.

Rules
The sphere will continue to spell the animal in Morse code.
Once your partner thinks they have worked out the animal they will roll the sphero to see if they are
correct.
On rolling the sphero the correct animal sound will be played.

Planning
Task 6: Think about the following questions:
What instruction block will you use for the iteration?
What will be the condition?
What will happen if the condition is not met (false)?
What will happen if the condition is met (true)?

Planning thoughts
KS3 Computing
Robotics: Spheros
Task 7: Program your sphero to spell your chosen animal and play its sound.

Evidence

Screen shot of your program

Extended Morse code game

Task 8: Now challenge a partner to work out what animal you are spelling, and check their answer by
listening to the animal sound.

Was the animal spelt in Morse code correctly?

Did the correct sound play when the sphero was rolled?