Computer Science
Programming Robots to Recycle
Kindergarten
Data & Analysis
Algorithms & Programming
In Classrooms
Students use programming skills to clean up a park and keep trash out of the landfill.
unit Overview
Students learn how to give instructions to a robot. They modify their programs to include repeating instructions to make it easy to tell the robot to do the same action several times.
- 9 lessons
- Plugged (with robots) and Unplugged pathways
- 25–45 minutes per lesson
Standards Alignment
YES units align with state and national science standards, integrating seamlessly with popular elementary science curricula.
unit Resources
Digital Resources (FREE)
YES provides these materials free of charge! Use the link below to download resources from our Google Drive.
Download ResourcesPurchase Materials
Educator Guide Pack -
$69
- Full-color print educator guide, plus multiple sets of heavy-duty reusable color-print resources (ex. vocabulary cards, materials glossaries, station signs, and student instructions) for the class.
Materials Kit -
$119
- Hands-on materials to support 24 learners.
Unit Map
Students create a shared definition of a computer and consider how people use computers. (30 min.)
Students learn that engineers are people who use tools such as computers to solve problems, and that engineers use an engineering design process. (25 min.)
Students meet Danny the duck in the storybook Programming a Cleanup. Students learn about where their trash goes after they throw it away. (35 min.)
Students practice math skills such as classifying, counting, and comparing in the context of solving Danny’s problem. (40 min.)
Students learn about how robots follow instructions, and they practice giving and following instructions. (40 min.)
Students learn how to use code symbols to give instructions to a robot or a “robot” classmate. (45 min.)
Students use what they’ve learned about trash, recycling, and how to create programs for robots to imagine some ideas and record a plan. (45 min.)
Students use their plans to create, test, and improve their programs. (45 min.)
Students apply their computer science knowledge to a larger context and consider ways to use a robot to help people do other repetitive tasks. (40 min.)