Code Quest Choice Board Grade 5 Computer Science • Culminating Quest
CODE QUEST SHOWDOWN
Demonstrate your algorithms, computational thinking, and robotics powers!
Target: 100 XP
Player Name
Class/Section
Date Launched
QUEST INSTRUCTIONS: Choose activities from the grid to customize your CS finale. Select challenges to reach exactly 100 XP (e.g., one 40 XP and two 30 XP choices). Log your steps and answers on Page 2!
Unplugged 30 XP
Human Robot
Write a precise pseudo-code algorithm to program a classmate to guide a partner across the room safely.
Select Challenge
Robotics 30 XP
Dance Loop
Program your robot to perform an 8-count dance routine. Your script must use nested loops and screen indicators.
Select Challenge
Unplugged 30 XP
Sorting Showdown
Describe how to sort 8 items lightest to heaviest using only a balance scale. Draw the logical split tree.
Select Challenge
Robotics 40 XP
Obstacle Navigator
Code your robot to escape a maze of 3 sharp turns and 2 walls. Use distance sensors to avoid collisions!
Select Challenge
Custom 40 XP
Sensor Simulator
Sketch a custom school robot. Outline exactly what sensor inputs and speaker/motor outputs it requires to work.
Select Challenge
Unplugged 40 XP
State Machine Game
Map out a board with 4 distinct rooms. Write precise conditional rules (If/Else) regulating how players move.
Select Challenge
Mixed 30 XP
Bug Exterminator
Find and fix 3 critical logical loop errors in a given broken instruction block. Rewrite the sequence cleanly.
Select Challenge
Robotics 30 XP
Sentry Siren
Program your bot to guard space. If an ultrasonic sensor detects something, flash red light-patterns.
Select Challenge
Unplugged 30 XP
Binary Encoder
Encode a secret message using 8-bit ASCII binary columns. Trade with a peer for manual verification.
Select Challenge
CODE QUEST SHOWDOWN • GRADE 5 COMPUTER SCIENCE PAGE 1 OF 2
Student Recording Sheet
YOUR QUEST LOG
Map your path, sketch designs, write code, and document your computational thinking victories!
1. MY QUEST MAP PLAN (Target: 100 XP)
List the activities you've selected from Page 1 to reach your 100 XP objective:
CHALLENGE 1
_______ XP
CHALLENGE 2
_______ XP
CHALLENGE 3
_______ XP
2. CORE ALGORITHM & DESIGN WORKSPACE
Select one key challenge. Draft your pseudocode, step-by-step algorithms, or draw your robot wireframe below.
Focus Challenge Title: _________________________________________
3. METACOGNITIVE QUEST DEBRIEF
A. Debugging is part of coding! What was a major bug you hit today, and how did you resolve it?
B. Connections: How do algorithms help physical objects (like robots) make sense of our noisy world?
CODE QUEST SHOWDOWN • GRADE 5 COMPUTER SCIENCE PAGE 2 OF 2
Code Quest Slides PLAYER ONE: READY
Grade 5 CS Finale
End-of-Year Culminating Showdown
CODE QUEST SHOWDOWN
Choose your challenges. Build amazing algorithms. Power up physical robots. Earn your 100 XP certification!
Quest Level 5th Grade Mastery
Mission Modules Algorithms & Robotics
Insert Quest Log Sheet to Begin
QUEST RULES & XP SYSTEM
01 / QUEST LAUNCH
HOW TO WIN
You are the lead computer scientist today. Your path to the leaderboards depends on custom-selected challenges.
Select 3 challenges from the Quest Board.
Mix unplugged thinking and live physical bots.
Verify that total XP values sum to exactly 100 XP .
TOTAL GOAL: 100 / 100 XP
Unplugged Challenges Computational logic, binary, sorting, and manual step-by-step logic boards.
Robotics & Physical Bots Real robotic maneuvers, nested loops, sensory loops, and motor navigation.
CODE QUEST SHOWDOWN • PRESENTATION SLIDES READY PLAYER ONE
UNPLUGGED COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
02 / UNPLUGGED MISSIONS
MISSION 1 30 XP
Human Robot
Write exact instruction sequences. No pronouns, no intuition. Only step-by-step physical code parameters.
Requires: Pseudocode Sequence
MISSION 2 30 XP
Sorting Duel
Divide and conquer. Program sorting algorithms using balance scales or logic arrays to sort items instantly.
Requires: Decision Pattern Log
MISSION 3 40 XP
State Machine
Create zone rules. Build transitions based on conditional logic: If condition is true, advance; otherwise, alternate!
Requires: If/Else Logic map
CODE QUEST SHOWDOWN • UNPLUGGED ALGORITHMS STEP-BY-STEP PROMPTS
ROBOTICS & PHYSICAL COMPUTING
03 / PHYSICAL BOTS
MISSION 1 30 XP
Dance Routine
Write clean nested loops to repeat physical dance movements. Synch motor speeds with flashing light sirens!
Requires: Nested Loop Block
MISSION 2 40 XP
Obstacle Run
Configure sonar or infrared inputs to sense maze boundaries. Implement collision-avoidance loops.
Requires: Sensor Input Setup
MISSION 3 30 XP
Sentry Alarm
Implement persistent monitoring rules. Trigger complex sound warning frequencies when light values drop below a line threshold.
Requires: Sound & Light Out Blocks
CODE QUEST SHOWDOWN • HARDWARE INTEGRATION STEP-BY-STEP PROMPTS
QUEST ENGINEERING ZONE
04 / PACING & DESIGN
1
Plan & Calculate (5 Mins)
Sum up your XP targets on your Quest Log to ensure they equal exactly 100.
2
Code & Build (25 Mins)
Draft pseudocode, sketch diagrams, write rules, or test your robots physical hardware loops.
3
Test & Debug (10 Mins)
Find logical syntax mistakes. Test physical paths. Let classmates test your rules.
DEBUGGING TIPS
Trace the trace: Read your written pseudocode step-by-step as if you are a blind computer.
Isolate loops: If your nested loop fails, disable the outside loop first. Test inner routines first.
"The best computer scientists aren't those who write perfect code first, but those who debug brilliantly!"
CODE QUEST SHOWDOWN • ENGINEERING CYCLE PACING TRACKER
THE FINALE & PEER SHOWDOWN
05 / SHOWDOWN REVEAL
REVEAL YOUR QUEST LOG
Pair up with an adjacent programmer. Hand over your Quest Log or run a physical demonstration of your program!
PARTNER FOCUS A
Explain your debugging victory! How did you find and squash the trickiest loop bug?
PARTNER FOCUS B
Run a live verification! Watch their physical algorithm or trace their pseudocode manually.
CODE QUEST SHOWDOWN • REFLECTION SHOWCASE CONGRATULATIONS PLAYERS!
Code Quest Teacher Guide Teacher Resource Pack • Grade 5
CODE QUEST TEACHER GUIDE
Culminating quarterly & end-of-year showcase. Complete facilitation rules, lesson timeline, and resource maps.
Lesson Objectives:
Synthesize understanding of logical sequences and loops.
Apply unplugged and physical computer programming.
Collaborate with peers to debug and verify block structures.
CSTA Standards Addressed:
1B-AP-10: Create programs with sequences & loops.1B-AP-11: Decompose problems into smaller parts.1B-AP-15: Test and debug code iteratively.
CLASSROOM SETUP & MATERIALS CHECKLIST
Unplugged Zone Prep
Tape coordinates mapped on classroom floor (for Human Robot).
Lightweight items + 3 balance scales (for Sorting Showdown).
Printed copies of "Code Quest Choice Board" for all players.
Robotics Zone Prep
Charged physical robots (e.g., Dash, Ozobot, LEGO, Sphero).
Cardboard barriers / painters tape labyrinths for Obstacle Run.
Devices (tablets/laptops) loaded with corresponding app blocks.
PACING & FACILITATION TIMELINE (50 MINUTES TOTAL)
00-05 Mins
Launch & Rules: Display Slide 1 & 2. Hand out the Choice Boards. Explain how to customize their 100 XP targets. Ensure every student understands how to log choices.
05-15 Mins
Target Selection & Pseudocode: Students complete Part 1 (Quest Map) on Page 2. Introduce Unplugged concepts (Slide 3) and let students start drafting pseudocode diagrams in Part 2.
15-35 Mins
Active Coding & Robotics: Display Slide 4 & 5. Students move to their workspace zones (unplugged desks or robotics testing floors) to build, test, and debug their custom physical routines.
35-45 Mins
Peer Showcase (Verification): Display Slide 6. Pair students up. Partners exchange Quest Logs to test each other's rules or verify physical robotic sensor trigger actions.
45-50 Mins
Synthesis debrief: Collect student logs. Ask key reflection questions: "Why are sensor conditions harder to test than simple timed paths?"
CODE QUEST TEACHER GUIDE • GRADE 5 COMPUTER SCIENCE PAGE 1 OF 2
Teacher Resource Pack • Grade 5
ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTICS
Performance standards rubric and physical robotics troubleshooting cheat sheet.
SHOWDOWN PERFORMANCE RUBRIC
Criteria Exceeds Standard Meets Standard Needs Support Computational Thinking Writes highly complex, optimized scripts using nested parameters and conditions. Zero logical bugs. Draws complete, sequential step-by-step algorithms. Flows logically with minor mistakes. Algorithm missing steps, relies on human intuition, or skips loops entirely. Robotics Integration Robot responds to sensory inputs dynamically without crashing or losing paths. Integrates sensor commands. Physical device triggers light/sound with minor alignment help. Physical bot runs blind. Does not utilize sensory inputs or loop structures. Debugging & Reflection Articulates exact step-by-step debug actions. Pinpoints code lines causing failure. Identifies bugs and explains general methods used to solve problems in the log. Cannot identify logic mistakes. Relies on teacher to resolve testing blocks.
PHYSICAL BOT TROUBLESHOOTING & COMMON MYTHS
Myth 1: "The robot isn't listening to my program!"
Diagnostic: Physical robots require constant loop scanning. If checked once at launch, the bot exits instantly. Have students put checking conditionals inside a "Repeat Forever" loop .
Myth 2: "My turns are completely random today!"
Diagnostic: Battery power directly shifts motor torque. A robot turning 90 degrees at full charge might turn 75 degrees at 20% charge. Prompt kids to use physical rotation sensors instead of basic time.
Myth 3: "The human robot isn't following my commands!"
Diagnostic: Kids assume people "know" what a step looks like. Have the 'Human Robot' interpret "Step forward" as a giant leap, demonstrating the absolute need for precise units (e.g. "step 30cm").
CODE QUEST TEACHER GUIDE • GRADE 5 COMPUTER SCIENCE PAGE 2 OF 2
