# 🕹️ Lesson Plan — Joystick Lab

> **Ages 8-12 · 45 min · 1 robot per pair**

## 🎯 Objective
Students drive a real robot using a virtual joystick, discover the cause→effect link between input and motion, and understand vector input (x, y).

## 🧰 Materials
- 1 Maqueen Lite v4 robot per pair (charged, micro:bit flashed)
- 1 laptop or tablet per pair (Chrome or Edge — Web Bluetooth)
- A clear floor area ~2 × 2 m per pair
- Tape to mark a "garage" square (~30 × 30 cm)
- Optional: cones for an obstacle course

## 📋 Lesson flow (45 min)

| Time | Phase | Teacher | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | **Hook** | Ask: "How does a video-game controller turn finger movement into character movement?" Show the joystick lab on a projector. | Discuss; identify that direction + intensity matter. |
| 5-10 | **Demo** | Connect the robot, drive it forward/back/left/right with the joystick. Show speed mode vs tank-steer mode. | Watch and predict what happens when you push the stick further. |
| 10-30 | **Exploration** | Hand out devices. Pairs connect their robot, free-drive for 10 min, then try the obstacle course. | Pilot the robot. Trade who drives every 5 min. |
| 30-40 | **Challenge** | "Park your robot inside the garage square in less than 30 seconds." Run two attempts. | Plan a route; refine; race against the timer. |
| 40-45 | **Reflection** | Quick whip-around: "What was the trickiest motion?" | Share insight; teacher captures vocabulary on board (forward, reverse, turn, speed). |

## ✅ Success criteria
- I can connect my robot via Bluetooth in under 30 s.
- I can drive it forward, back, left, right and stop.
- I can park it inside a marked square on demand.

## 📚 Standards
- **FR Cycle 3** — *Maths* : repérage et déplacement dans un quadrillage. *Sciences-Tech* : objets techniques pilotés à distance.
- **NGSS** — K-2-ETS1-1 (define a problem); 3-5-ETS1-3 (test/improve solutions).
- **CCSS-M** — 5.G.A.1 (coordinate plane).
- **CSTA** — 1A-AP-08 (model daily processes); 1B-AP-10 (test and debug).

## 🚀 Extension
- Set up a relay race: 4 stations, parking required at each.
- Switch to **tank-steer mode** and discuss the difference (each side wheel independent).
- Pre-record a path and replay it — bridge to the **Servo Lab** choreography idea.