Code & Go Robot Mouse
PreK–2Build mazes and program Jack the Robot Mouse. Screen-free coding challenges teach sequencing to our youngest learners.
Physical Computing at Every Grade Level
Bring code off the screen and into students' hands. CodeHS offers hands-on physical computing for K–12, from screen-free robots in kindergarten to full-year Arduino courses in high school.
- Platforms Supported
- 15+
- Full Grade Coverage
- K–12
- Complete Courses
- 7
Screen-Free Robots & First Coding Experiences
Learn More About CodeHopYoung learners build sequencing, debugging, and computational thinking with hands-on robots and creative tools. Every platform below comes with ready-to-teach lessons on CodeHop.
Bee-Bot
K–2The classic programmable floor robot. Teach sequencing and debugging through hands-on activities built for early elementary.
KIBO
Ages 4–7Tangible programming with wooden blocks. No screens required. Sequencing, loops, and conditionals through storytelling and play.
Ozobot
K–5Tiny robots that follow color-coded paths. Marker-based screen-free coding or block-based OzoBlockly for STEAM learning.
Sphero Robots
2–5Program rolling robots with drive mode and block coding. LED displays, sensors, and movement bring loops and conditionals to life.
Makey Makey
2–8Turn anything conductive into a computer key. Creative inventions that combine coding with art, music, and engineering.
LEGO® Education
K–5Build and program with LEGO® SPIKE™. Combine construction with coding for hands-on STEAM projects.
Block Coding with Hardware
3–5Connect block-based code to micro:bit, LEGO, and other devices. Bridge digital and physical computing with familiar blocks.
Unplugged Activities
K–5Screen-free lessons using everyday materials. Teach algorithms, binary, and computational thinking kinesthetically.
Full Courses with micro:bit
Middle schoolers move from robots to real programming. These complete courses pair the BBC micro:bit® with Karel, Tracy the Turtle, and Python, combining structured CS curriculum with hands-on physical computing projects.
Intro to Programming with Karel and micro:bit
The Introduction to Programming with Karel and micro:bit course merges the Physical Computing with micro:bit and the Introduction to Programming with Karel courses. Students learn prerequisite knowledge with Karel, and then apply these programming concepts to their physical micro:bit device.
- Level Middle School
- Timeframe Semester
- Programming Language JavaScript
Intro to Programming with Tracy the Turtle and micro:bit
The Introduction to Programming with Tracy the Turtle and micro:bit course merges the Physical Computing with micro:bit and the Introduction to Python with Tracy the Turtle courses. Students learn the prerequisite programming knowledge with Tracy the Turtle and then apply these concepts to physical computing with the micro:bit.
- Level Middle School
- Timeframe Semester
Introduction to micro:bit Programming with Python
Introduction to micro:bit Programming with Python introduces students to physical computing through interactive activities and hands-on projects. Using micro:bits, students apply basic programming concepts to control LEDs, buttons, and sensors while exploring how software interacts with hardware.
- Level Middle School
- Timeframe Semester
Introduction to Physical Computing with micro:bit
The Introduction to Physical Computing with micro:bit is a quarter-long middle school course that uses micro:bit devices to introduce students to physical computing. Students use basic programming concepts to perform tasks using LEDs, buttons, and basic sensors.
- Level Middle School
- Timeframe Quarter
Arduino Programming & Engineering
High schoolers program real microcontrollers in Python and JavaScript. Choose a full-year introductory CS course built around Arduino, or add a quarter-long physical computing course to an existing class.
Intro to Programming in Python with Arduino
This course merges the Introduction to Computer Science in Python and the Introduction to Physical Computing with Arduino courses. The Python course provides the prerequisite information needed before students apply programming concepts to their physical Arduino device.
- Level High School
- Timeframe Year
Intro to Programming in JavaScript with Arduino
This course merges the Introduction to Computer Science in JavaScript and the Introduction to Physical Computing with Arduino courses. This course provides the prerequisite information needed before students apply programming concepts to their physical Arduino device.
- Level High School
- Timeframe Year
Introduction to Physical Computing with Arduino
The Introduction to Physical Computing with Arduino quarter-long high school course will utilize Arduino devices in order to give students the opportunity to apply knowledge of basic programming concepts (control structures, variables, functions, etc.) to a physical device. They will learn how to perform basic physical tasks using LEDs, buttons, and basic sensors.
- Level High School
- Timeframe Quarter
Everything You Need to Teach Physical Computing
Whether you're running a robotics station in 2nd grade or a full-year Arduino course in 11th, it all lives on one platform.
Ready-to-Teach Curriculum
Complete lesson plans, activities, and projects for every platform, from single units to full-year courses. No CS background required to get started.
Built-In Grading & Progress Tracking
Physical computing courses live in the same LMS as everything else. Assign work, track progress, and grade in one place.
Professional Development
Online PD courses and workshops help teachers get comfortable with devices and curriculum before the first day of class.
A Connected K–12 Pathway
Students can start with Bee-Bots in kindergarten and graduate to programming Arduinos in Python on one vertically aligned pathway, one platform.
FAQ
Physical Computing FAQ
What physical computing platforms does CodeHS support?
CodeHS supports 15+ physical computing platforms across K–12, including Bee-Bot, Code & Go Robot Mouse, KIBO, Ozobot, Sphero, Makey Makey, LEGO Education, BBC micro:bit, Arduino, Finch Robot, VEX Robotics, and Tinkercad. Each platform comes with ready-to-teach lessons, activities, and projects on CodeHS.
Do I need a computer science background to teach physical computing?
No. Every platform and course comes with complete lesson plans, activities, and projects, so teachers can get started without prior programming experience. CodeHS also offers online professional development courses and workshops to help teachers get comfortable with the devices and curriculum before class starts.
What physical computing courses can middle school students take?
Middle schoolers program the BBC micro:bit. Intro to Programming with Karel and micro:bit and Intro to Programming with Tracy the Turtle and micro:bit are semester-long courses that pair foundational programming with hands-on hardware projects. Introduction to micro:bit Programming with Python teaches physical computing in Python, and Introduction to Physical Computing with micro:bit is a quarter-long course that supplements any CS class.
What physical computing courses can high school students take?
High schoolers program Arduino microcontrollers. Intro to Programming in Python with Arduino and Intro to Programming in JavaScript with Arduino are full-year introductory computer science courses built around real circuits, and Introduction to Physical Computing with Arduino is a quarter-long course that adds hands-on hardware to an existing CS or engineering class.
Do students need physical devices to take these courses?
The courses are designed around hands-on work with real devices, so each class needs its companion hardware: micro:bit devices for the middle school courses, Arduino kits for the high school courses, and the corresponding robots for elementary lessons. Schools purchase devices separately from hardware vendors, and our team can help you plan which platforms fit your grade levels and budget.
Bring Physical Computing to Your School
Talk to our team about which platforms and courses fit your grade levels, budget, and goals.
