An all-ages Ozobot challenge using color-code programming and storytelling to guide a delivery robot through a Kroger fulfillment center. Designed through stakeholder collaboration, optimized for drop-in engagement with 3rd graders as the primary audience
Make warehouse automation tangible for kids + balance sponsor goals + authentic STEM learning. It needed to teach coding fundamentals (not just "playing with a robot") and work across experience levels from kindergarten through middle and high school
Structured iteration: Three-step flow (choose challenge → code → test) models real engineering workflows
Story-first coding: Guests chose a challenge card with specific requirements, like "build a healthy meal"
Layered complexity: Simple storytelling for younger visitors, coordinates and zone avoidance parameters for advanced learners
Visual scaffolds: Clip art maps for early readers + grid-based maps with constraints for older coders
with differing levels of complexity
with clip art scaffolds for younger coders
with educational standards alignment
easy to read, quick to understand
ENGAGEMENT
Guests naturally iterated, adjusting codes after each test run.
ACCESSIBILITY
Visual scaffolds helped early readers navigate the warehouse independently.
RELEVANCE
Story driven prompts gave clear goals while leaving room for creative problem solving.
IMPACT
Visitors reported the activity made real world logistics careers tangible and accessible.