Skip to main content

Welcome, adventurers! Today, we’re embarking on a thrilling journey into the future of learning. We’re going to explore a unique blend of technology and creativity, where students design a Sci-Fi Adventure Chatbot Quest using the power of ChatGPT and Sphero RVR. This innovative lesson plan enhances coding skills, logical thinking, and creativity, all while immersing students in an exciting sci-fi storyline.

Why a Sci-Fi Adventure Chatbot Quest?

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, it’s crucial to keep students engaged and excited about learning. This is where our Sci-Fi Adventure Chatbot Quest comes into play. By combining the interactive capabilities of ChatGPT with the hands-on experience of programming a Sphero RVR robot, we’re creating a learning environment that’s not just educational, but also fun and engaging.

Materials You’ll Need

Before we dive into the adventure, let’s gather our tools. Each student or group will need a Sphero RVR robot and a computer or tablet with the Sphero Edu app installed. And of course, an adventurous spirit!

Sphero RVR+

The Lesson Plan: Sci-Fi Adventure Chatbot Quest with Sphero RVR

Here’s a step-by-step guide to implementing this innovative lesson plan in your classroom:

Introduction (10 minutes)

Engage students by introducing the concept of a sci-fi adventure quest with Sphero RVR and the role of a chatbot. Explain that they will be using ChatGPT to design the dialogue and prompts for the chatbot and separately programming Sphero RVR using the Sphero Edu app or SDK.

Setting the Scene (10 minutes)

Prompt students to design the sci-fi adventure quest’s theme and setting. What type of planet or galaxy will adventurers explore?

ChatGPT Prompt: “Generate a description for a sci-fi adventure quest’s theme and setting.”

Example response: “The sci-fi adventure quest is set on the planet Zephyria, a distant and mysterious planet located in the Vega Nebula.”

Designing the Chatbot (15 minutes)

Guide students to create a chatbot character that will guide adventurers throughout the quest. They should provide the chatbot’s name and describe its personality traits.

ChatGPT Prompt: “Create a chatbot character for a sci-fi adventure quest. What is its name, and what are its personality traits?”

Sphero RVR Chatbot character

Mapping the Adventure (20 minutes)

Instruct students to design a map of the sci-fi adventure quest. The map should include key checkpoints, obstacles, and challenges adventurers must overcome.

ChatGPT Prompt: “Describe a map for a sci-fi adventure quest. What are the key checkpoints, obstacles, and challenges?”

Sphero RVR Map Quest

Coding the Adventure (30 minutes)

Now comes the coding part! Students will use the Sphero Edu app or SDK to program Sphero RVR’s movements based on the adventure map. Provide code examples and guide students through programming Sphero RVR to move forward, turn, and perform other actions based on the adventure’s map.

ChatGPT Prompt for Creating New Code: “I’m trying to program my Sphero RVR to move forward for 5 seconds, then turn right. Can you help me with the code?”

Example response: “Sure! In the Sphero Edu app, you can use the ‘Roll’ block to make your RVR move forward. Set the speed to your desired level and the duration to 5 seconds. Then, use the ‘Turn’ block and set the angle to 90 degrees to make it turn right.”

ChatGPT Prompt for Checking or Revising Current Code: “I’ve written some code for my Sphero RVR to move, but it’s not working as expected. The code is supposed to make the RVR move forward, then turn left, but it’s not turning. Can you help me figure out what’s wrong?”

Example response: “Sure, I’d be happy to help. It sounds like there might be an issue with the ‘Turn’ block in your code. Make sure you’ve set the angle to -90 degrees for a left turn. If the RVR is still not turning, check that the ‘Turn’ block is not inside a ‘Repeat’ or ‘If’ block that’s not being executed.”

Advanced Coding with JavaScript (30 minutes)

Advanced students who are comfortable with JavaScript, can use the Sphero SDK to program their RVR. This allows for more complex movements and interactions during the adventure.

ChatGPT Prompt for Creating New Code: “I’m trying to program my Sphero RVR using JavaScript to move forward at a speed of 50 for 2 seconds, then stop. Can you help me with the code?”

Sphero RVR Code

It would be a good idea to tell ChatGPT that you are using the Sphero Edu App to connect to your RVR.

ChatGPT Prompt for Checking or Revising Current Code: “I’ve written some JavaScript code for my Sphero RVR to move and turn, but it’s not working as expected. The code is supposed to make the RVR move forward, then turn right, but it’s not turning. Can you help me figure out what’s wrong?”

Example response: “Sure, I’d be happy to help. Could you please share the code you’ve written? I’ll take a look and see if I can spot any issues.”

Here’s my code:

const sphero = require(‘spherov2.js’);
async function run() {
   const rvrToy = await sphero.RvrToy.connect();
   await rvrToy.rollTime(50, 0, 2000);
   await rvrToy.rollTime(50, 90, 2000);
}
run().catch(console.error);
Can you help me figure out what’s wrong?”

Example response: “I see what’s happening. The rollTime function’s second parameter is the heading, measured in degrees from the forward direction of the RVR, not the amount to turn from its current direction. So, rollTime (50, 90, 2000) is telling the RVR to roll to the right of its starting direction, not to turn right from its current direction. If you want the RVR to turn right from its current direction, you’ll need to keep track of its current heading and add 90 to it for the turn.”

Chatbot Dialogue and Prompts (30 minutes)

Students will use ChatGPT to design the dialogue and prompts for the chatbot, which will be displayed separately from Sphero RVR’s actions. They should create dialogue options, questions, and responses that align with the chatbot’s personality and guide adventurers through the quest.

ChatGPT Prompt: “Generate dialogue options, questions, and responses for a chatbot guiding a sci-fi adventure quest.”

Sphero RVR Chatbot dialogue

Take your adventure a step further by creating a choose-your-own-adventure story! Check out our guide here!

Adventure Testing and Reflection (20 minutes)

Have students test their sci-fi adventure quest by executing the programmed movements of Sphero RVR and following the chatbot’s prompts and dialogue. This is a great opportunity for them to reflect on their coding experience, the effectiveness of the chatbot’s guidance, and any improvements they would make.

Presentation and Sharing (10 minutes)

Finally, give students an opportunity to share their sci-fi adventure quests with the class. Encourage them to explain the storyline, demonstrate Sphero RVR’s movements, and showcase the chatbot’s dialogue and prompts.

Conclusion

Our Sci-Fi Adventure ChatbotQuest with Sphero RVR is more than just a fun activity – it’s a step into the future of learning. By combining coding, creativity, and interactive learning, we’re preparing our students for a world where technology and imagination go hand in hand. So, let’s embark on this adventure and see where our creativity takes us! If you are new to Sphero RVR check out our review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sci-Fi Adventure Chatbot Quest with Sphero RVR?

It’s an interactive lesson plan where students design a sci-fi adventure quest using ChatGPT and program a Sphero RVR robot to navigate through the quest.

How does the Sci-Fi Adventure Chatbot Quest enhance coding skills?

Students use the Sphero Edu app or SDK to program the Sphero RVR, enhancing their understanding of coding concepts and problem-solving skills.

What role does ChatGPT play in the Sci-Fi Adventure Chatbot Quest?

ChatGPT is used to create dialogue and prompts for a chatbot character that guides adventurers through the quest, fostering creativity and storytelling skills.

Can the Sci-Fi Adventure Chatbot Quest be adjusted for different class durations?

Yes, the activity can be adjusted to fit 1-2 class periods depending on class time and student progress.

How does the Sci-Fi Adventure Chatbot Quest promote interactive learning?

The quest combines coding, storytelling, and physical interaction with the Sphero RVR, making learning an engaging and hands-on experience.

Can advanced students use JavaScript to code the Sphero RVR?

Yes, advanced students who are comfortable with JavaScript can use the Sphero SDK for more complex programming.

Richard Campbell

Richard Campbell is an experienced English professor in South Korea with over 20 years of teaching experience across all levels of education. With a doctorate in education, Richard is passionate about promoting language learning and using innovative approaches, including AI writing tools, to inspire his students.