Lesson 5

Automated systems

In this lesson, students explore how complex decisions can be automated using compound conditional statements. They investigate examples of automated systems and discuss the need for multiple conditions for them to operate. Students then add additional costumes to their sprites to represent unpollinated and pollinated flowers. Finally, using Boolean operators and custom costumes, students create compound conditionals in Scratch to improve the accuracy of the data tracking in their pollination program.

school
Grade 8
local_library
Subject Science
schedule
Length of lesson 50 minutes

Learning objective

Students will develop an automated system using multiple control structures in a program.

Standards

CSTA Standards

  • 2-AP-11: Create clearly named variables that represent different data types and perform operations on their values.
  • 2-AP-12: Design and iteratively develop programs that combine control structures, including nested loops and compound conditionals.
  • 2-AP-13: Decompose problems and subproblems into parts to facilitate the design, implementation, and review of programs
  • 2-AP-17: Systematically test and refine programs using a range of test cases
  • 2-DA-09: Refine computational models based on the data they have generated.

NGSS Standards

  • MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
  • MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.

Multi-lesson projects

Students will use the same project across multiple lessons.

Lesson contents

Scratch projects

Pollination patrol

Student resource

Multi-lesson project

Students will use the same project across multiple lessons