Robotics · lesson 21 of 30 · free

Moves on a grid — Robotics for kids

A robot program is a list of commands that run in order. On a grid, “forward 2” moves the robot two squares the way it is facing, and “turn left” or “turn right” turns it 90° without moving it. We write squares as (across, up): (2, 1) is 2 squares across and 1 square up. North is up, east is right. To find where the robot stops, follow every line and write down the square and the direction after each one.

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Robot tip

One line at a time — “move or turn exactly as each line says, and keep track of the square and the direction”

  1. (x, y) = squares across (east), squares up (north).
  2. forward n: north adds n to the second number, east adds n to the first, south and west take away.
  3. turn left / turn right: change only the direction by 90°. Write the square and direction after every line.

Use it for: First robot programs, block coding puzzles, coordinate grids in maths and maze challenges.

Worked example: 🗺️ A robot is on a grid at (2, 1), facing north. (The first number counts squares across to the east, the second counts squares up to the north.) It runs: forward 2 turn left forward 2 On which square does it stop? → (0, 3)

  1. forward 2 → (2, 3) facing north; turn left → facing west.
  2. forward 2 going west → (0, 3).

Check: Up 2 from y = 1 gives 3; west 2 from x = 2 gives 0 ✓

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✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

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🏁 Lesson 21 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

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🖨️ Robotics Worksheet: Robot Grid Moves

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