Black Boys Code Calgary - Robo-Race Challenge: Optimize & Compete

Join us for an exciting workshop designed just for boys aged 8-17! Whether they’re brand new to coding or eager to level up their skills.Workshop OverviewThe May workshop focuses on refinement, performance, and friendly competition.In the Beginner Track, learners optimize their robots for a line-following race. They fine-tune speed, turning precision, and sensor positioning to achieve smoother and faster runs. To enhance engagement, participants will program countdown timers, sounds, and simple animations so their robots can “announce” the start of a race or celebrate at the finish line. Through collaboration and testing, students will see how small coding adjustments can significantly improve performance.In the Advanced Track, learners transition into real-world robotics programming using Python. They will learn how to control robot movement using motor commands, including speed, time, and degrees of rotation. Students will build programs that allow robots to move forward, turn, and execute coordinated actions using motor pairs. They will also explore automation, debugging, and breaking down complex robotic tasks into smaller steps. By the end of the session, learners will have built functional movement programs and gained hands-on experience in programming real robotic systems, preparing them for more advanced robotics applications and showcase projects.Beginner Track - Final Automated Vehicle CompetitionBeginners refine their programs and compete in a timed Robo-Race challenge.Materials RequiredLaptop or tablet with SPIKE app installedLEGO SPIKE Prime kit (hub, motors, colour sensor)Competition trackLearning OutcomesMaster Speed & Precision: Fine-tune your robot to move faster without losing controlBring Your Robot to Life: Program countdowns, lights, and sounds for a real race experienceThink Like an Engineer: Experiment, test, and improve your design through iterationCrack the Speed vs Accuracy Code: Discover how small tweaks can make or break performanceRace to Win: Put your robot to the test in an exciting timed Robo-Race challengeAdvanced Track - Python Robot Movement & AutomationAdvanced learners program real robot movement using Python and build automated behaviors.Materials RequiredLEGO SPIKE Prime kit (motors and hub)Laptop or tablet with SPIKE Python environmentTesting space/trackLearning OutcomesControl Motors with Python: Use commands to move motors with speed, time, and degreesProgram Robot Movement: Move forward, turn, and stop using motor pairsUnderstand Rotation & Positioning: Apply degrees (90°, 180°, 360°) and directional controlBuild Coordinated Systems: Combine multiple motors for synchronized movementApply Automation Concepts: Program robots to perform tasks independentlyTest & Debug Programs: Identify and fix movement errorsBreak Down Problems: Use step-by-step logic (decomposition) for complex tasksExplore Real-World Applications: Understand how robotics programming applies to engineering and automationFor further questions you may have on the day of the workshop, please reach out to Calgary.ExposureWorkshop@blackboyscode.comOr student.help@blackboyscode.comRegister Now, Space Is Limited!