In a world where technology and revolution collide, Ethic, Hedge, and Adila, the leaders of a daring resistance, devise a plan to steal a powerful artifact known as the Node of Power. This artifact is crucial as it powers a heavily fortified train that traverses the country, delivering essential supplies to various settlements and facilities.
The armored train follows a complex and unpredictable unloading procedure, displayed on a screen within the engine car. The train’s movements are dictated by simple commands: a right command moves the train one car length forward, while a left command moves it the same distance backward. During unloading, the train frequently shifts back and forth, creating a sequence of movements that must be carefully analyzed.
Within the engine car lies a button that can be pressed only once, temporarily lowering the force field around the artifact for a mere 10 seconds. The engine car is designed for a robot, and only Hedge, a member of the team, can fit inside. Meanwhile, the resistance has positioned a crane over the tracks, ready to snatch the artifact once exposed. Timing is crucial, and Hedge must determine the train’s position to know when to lower the force field.
Hedge cannot program himself, so Ethic must provide precise instructions. The artifact is located 10 positions behind the car directly under the crane at the start. Ethic’s challenge is to instruct Hedge to press the button at the exact moment the artifact is in position.
To solve this, Ethic reframes the problem using programming logic. By creating a variable to track the train’s position, Ethic can simulate the train’s movements as a number line. Starting with the car under the crane as position 10, each right movement subtracts 1, and each left movement adds 1. By setting the train position variable to 10, Ethic uses a loop to read the instructions, adjusting the variable accordingly. When the variable hits 0, Hedge knows to press the button.
As the plan unfolds, Ethic positions herself on the crane while Hedge sneaks into the engine car just before the train begins its journey. The train rolls three cars back, one forward, and another four back, before moving forward again. Ethic loses track momentarily, but when the artifact finally aligns under the crane, Adila lowers it, hoping Ethic and Hedge have timed it right.
At the last possible moment, the force field drops, and Ethic swiftly retrieves the Node of Power. Upon handing the artifact to Hedge for safekeeping, an incredible vision of the past emerges. It reveals how Ethic, once a curious mind eager to understand technology, had unlocked the secrets of the artifact, leading to her role as chief robotics engineer. Her creations revolutionized society, freeing people from laborious tasks.
As the vision fades, Hedge detects another artifact in the forest to the southeast. Fortunately, the train’s next destination aligns with their quest, and it has just enough fuel for the journey. Ethic and Hedge stealthily board the train, finding a hiding spot for the long trip ahead, ready to continue their revolutionary mission.
Imagine you are Ethic, and you need to instruct Hedge on how to move the train to the correct position. Create a simple simulation using a number line on paper. Start at position 10 and use a series of right and left commands to move the train. Track the position of the train after each command and determine when Hedge should press the button. This will help you understand how programming logic can be applied to solve real-world problems.
Using a basic programming environment like Scratch or a simple coding app, write a program that simulates the train’s movements. Create a variable to represent the train’s position and use loops to process a sequence of commands (right and left movements). Display the train’s position after each command and identify when the position reaches zero, indicating the right moment to press the button.
Create a storyboard that illustrates the key moments of the heist. Draw scenes showing the train’s movements, Hedge sneaking into the engine car, Ethic on the crane, and the final retrieval of the Node of Power. This activity will help you visualize the sequence of events and understand the importance of timing and coordination in executing a plan.
In groups, role-play the characters Ethic, Hedge, and Adila. Act out the planning and execution of the heist, focusing on communication and teamwork. Discuss how each character’s unique skills contribute to the success of the mission. This activity will enhance your understanding of the characters’ roles and the importance of collaboration.
Design a simple board game based on the heist. Create a game board with a track representing the train’s path and use cards or dice to simulate the train’s movements. Players take turns moving the train and must work together to time the button press correctly. This game will reinforce the concepts of sequencing, timing, and teamwork in a fun and interactive way.
Technology – The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Computers and smartphones are examples of technology that help us communicate and learn.
Artifact – An object made by a human being, typically of cultural or historical interest. – In computer science, a software artifact can be a piece of code or a document that is part of a project.
Train – To teach a machine or program to perform tasks by providing data and instructions. – We need to train the computer program to recognize different types of animals in photos.
Commands – Instructions given to a computer program to perform specific tasks. – By typing commands into the terminal, you can tell the computer what to do.
Position – The location or arrangement of something in a particular place or order. – In a video game, you can change the position of your character by using the arrow keys.
Variable – A symbol or name that holds a value in a program, which can change as the program runs. – In coding, we use a variable to store the player’s score during the game.
Programming – The process of writing instructions for a computer to perform tasks. – Programming can be fun because you get to create your own games and apps.
Logic – A systematic way of thinking that helps solve problems and make decisions in coding. – Using logic, the programmer figured out how to fix the bug in the software.
Movements – Actions or changes in position, often controlled by a computer program. – The robot’s movements were programmed to follow a specific path on the floor.
Resistance – The opposition to the flow of electric current, or in coding, the difficulty in changing a program’s behavior. – The resistance in the circuit was too high, causing the computer to overheat.
