Mountain View School Students “Tie the Knot” with Coding Robots
Students in Mr. Doug Nelson’s Grade 4/5 class at Mountain View School recently took their coding unit to new heights when they programmed robots to perform a wedding-themed showcase, complete with a confetti launch and synchronized dance. This innovative project marks the school’s first foray into hands-on robotics using a set of 10 robots, and it has quickly captured the imagination of students and staff alike.
Originally, Mr. Nelson planned a standard coding introduction, drawing on the theory behind programming. However, he quickly discovered that his students learned best by doing. “I tried teaching the theory at the start, but it was really when they started coding on the robots that they truly grasped what coding meant,” he says. From there, the project evolved organically. When one student proposed a “robot wedding,” the class embraced the idea, assigning different responsibilities to small groups—some focused on the ‘bride and groom’ robots, while others coded a choreographed dance or added special effects like launching confetti.
The students used block coding through the Blockly app to direct the robots’ movements, record playful voices, and time each step so that the ‘wedding ceremony’ ran seamlessly. They also learned about using different attachments to enhance their performance, such as a launcher for confetti. At one point, they synchronized the robots’ movements to create a short group dance—an experience that Mr. Nelson hopes to build on in the future. “They’d still like to do a full dance,” he explains. “The wedding was just the beginning of their creativity.”
Nelson was impressed by how quickly the children took ownership of their learning. Some took on specific roles to bring the wedding and dance to life. “I just had to step back and let them create,” he explained. During the project, 19 students worked in pairs, each contributing a piece to the final performance. Despite the final “ceremony” only lasting about ten minutes, the students’ engagement and excitement were evident.
Looking ahead, Nelson plans to build on this enthusiasm by introducing micro:bits in the spring. Now that the class has gained confidence with block coding, he hopes to guide them into more advanced challenges and possibly incorporate additional dances, building an even deeper understanding of programming. Nelson encourages other educators to embrace the opportunity to integrate hands-on coding experiences into their classrooms. “You just have to dive in,” he said. “Teaching coding theory only goes so far—practical, hands-on learning makes it real.”
Reflecting on the experience, Nelson finds witnessing his students’ sense of pride and accomplishment is the most rewarding aspect. “When they’re able to create something they’re proud of, and the process really resonates with them, it’s just fun to sit back and watch them enjoy the experience.”
Through playful exploration, real-world connections, and plenty of student-led ideas, this pioneering robotics project at Mountain View School illustrates what’s possible when theory meets creative application. It’s a shining example of how Westwind School Division continues to empower young learners to innovate, collaborate, and reach for the next level of discovery.