Dash and Dot

Tips

• Dash robots using coding to operate. You can code through a variety of apps. with Blockly being the most popular apps. Blockly is the only app which works on a Chromebook. If you want to use one of the other apps - including Wonder or Go for younger students, you will need the apps installed onto a phone or tablet, such as the iPad. The Discovery Center can provide iPads with these apps installed. Just request them when the robots are requested.

• The Dot robots are stationary. While the Dash robots can be coded to interact with the Dot robots, most teacher don't borrow the Dot robots.

• The ball launchers are very popular. They must be installed properly to function (directions are on the box). 3 colored balls are included for each launcher. A popular lesson is to code the robot to travel a path, then shot one or more balls into a basket.

• Bring STEM to Life with Dash & Dot - great getting started post by Teach Mama

• Getting Started (5 videos) - from Wonder Workshop

• Apps

  • Wonder - Create traceable paths of code, which help students see and understand what their robot will do

  • Go - for younger students, teach Dash + Dot to play as you send Dash to deliver messages and use Dot to act out storybook characters and explore together.

  • Blockly - Create coding using block to control the robot with playful projects and puzzles. Kids learn about coding by exploring variables, events, conditionals, and more. Blockly is the only Dash app which works with Chromebooks (unless they use the Android version of one of the other apps)

  • Path - for younger students, introduces programming to guide Dash to follow a path at the racetrack, farm, and city. Unlock special abilities, sounds, and animations.

  • Xylo - Play ready to use tunes and create your own using the Dash 8 note xylophone!