Virtual Sojourner
Student Activity #2: Remote Rover Rock Hunt

Level 1--Find the Rock

This activity is played between two classrooms--one is the "Site Class" and the other is the "Search Class." The Site places a "rock" (a real one or paper representation) in their classroom and moves a "rover" according to the commands from the Searchers.

Suggestions for the Site Class

• Make a map of your classroom and plot the rover's movement during the activity.
  
• Tell the Searchers the dimensions of your classroom and the location of the rover at the beginning (such as "in the doorway 1.8 meters from the North wall").
  
• Measure as accurately as possible--keep the tape measure straight and measure to the centers of the objects.
  
• Report the distance between the rover and the rock using the greatest precision the measuring tape allows.
  
• Make sure the "rock" is not moved during the activity.
  
• Follow the Searcher's directions precisely and make sure the "rover" is stationary between moves.
  
• Tell the Searchers if their commands are "illegal" (such as a command moves the rover through a wall).
  
• Avoid giving hints.
  
• Allow the searchers to "reset" during the activity--the rover is returned to the starting point unharmed.

Suggestions for the Search Class

• Make a map of the classroom and plot the rover's movement during the activity.
  
• Obtain consensus before sending the rover commands.
  
• Be patient!