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"Double Trouble"

Episode 4 ・ Cat Galaxy

Get Ready!

Part 1

Last time on

Star Stuff!

We traveled to the Garden Galaxy station, where we met Jazmin! 

LUZ

She's shy, but she really knows her stuff! We learned all about sequencing thanks to her.

VALERIA

Hehe...thanks to you two, I worked up the courage to talk to the rest of my station. They'd been arguing over what kind of stars to make...

JAZMIN

After I talked to them, everyone agreed to make all different kinds of garden stars!

JAZMIN

With peace back in the station, Jazmin joined us for the adventure...

LUZ

But as we approached the next galaxy, a claw tried to hit our ship! Where did we end up now?

LUZ

Our story continues...

Whew...just managed to dodge that, whatever it was...

VALERIA

That was one of our adorable cat stars! Welcome to the Cat Galaxy station!

???

Hold up, aren't you Ed? We just met at Fruit Galaxy...why are you here now?

LUZ

Hm? No, we've never met before! You might have met my twin though!

ED?

But yes, my name is Ed-

ED?

AHEM!

???

Um..h-hello?? Oh gosh, more new people...

JAZMIN

Allow us to introduce ourselves! I'm Lem...

LEM

...and I'm Cordy!

CORDY

And we'll take over every galaxy!

LEM & CORDY

Uh...

LUZ

That's right, tremble in fear! We're Wolf's most trusted followers, on special orders to stop you!

LEM

So you're his sidekicks? We're not scared of you.

VALERIA

You seem confident. But let's see how confident you are once we drain all the stardust from this station.

CORDY

So you're here to steal from us, huh? That's just like Wolf...

ED

You...! Say one more bad thing about Wolf, I dare you!

LEM

Relax, Lem. Let's head to their stardust reserve and start our mission. What could they possibly do to stop us?

CORDY

You're right, Cordy! We don't need to worry about these fools. Let's go!

LEM

W-what are we gonna do?!

JAZMIN

Hm...if we restore the galaxy's stars like we usually do, that would fix the stardust problem. Right?

LUZ

It would help for a bit, but they could just steal that stardust as well. We need a way to distract them, or slow them down.

ED

Um...could we just ask them to stop and give the stardust back?

JAZMIN

I don't think...actually, wait. That's a purr-fect idea! While Cordy and Lem are busy draining our stardust...

ED

I'll secretly disable parts of their spaceship! That way, they'll need to use the stardust they took to power the station's spaceship repair!

ED

I see...they won't be able to leave this galaxy otherwise. Meanwhile, the three of us can solve puzzles to help restore the stardust.

LUZ

Got it — we'll leave the spaceship to you, Ed. Luz and Jazmin, are you ready?

VALERIA

Ready! Star Transformer, make me a star!

LUZ & JAZMIN

Okay, here's our first puzzle. I see the Starpad's in the top left. There's two bridges we need to turn on to reach it.

VALERIA

Yeah, we're kinda trapped up here...not much we can do other than code the bots.

LUZ

Since we need to code two bots this time, figuring out the right sequence of steps is a little more complicated.

JAZMIN

So let's start with the basics: which of the two bots should move first?

JAZMIN

The Walker?

LUZ

Or the Grabber?

VALERIA

Actually, could both bots start moving at the same time?

LUZ

I'm not sure yet. Let's try some things and see what happens.

JAZMIN

Explore!

Part 2

Think about
this question while you play...

Which bot should move first?

  1. The Walker
  2. The Grabber
  3. Both should move at the same time

 

Be ready to vote then discuss once time is up!

Vote before Discussing

Which bot should move first?

Polling...

Responses

The Walker

1

2

3

The Grabber

Both should move at the same time

Let's Pair Share!

Which bot should move first? Why?

Learn!

Part 3

Let's use process of elimination to figure out which bot should move first! What can each bot actually do right now?

JAZMIN

The Walker can either go to button A or button B. That's it.

LUZ

The Grabber can reach cube tray C or cube tray D. But we can't do anything with those without a cube.

VALERIA

There are two cubes here, but the bridges to both of them are off. So the Grabber can't do anything right now.

VALERIA

In that case, we shouldn't move the Grabber first. That also rules out moving both at the same time.

JAZMIN

So the Walker has to move first! Let's figure out what its first line of code should be.

JAZMIN

The Walker can go to either A or B...both buttons turn on a bridge. Maybe start with B, since it's closer?

VALERIA

Let's try it.

LUZ

Hm...it did turn on a bridge, but now the Walker can't move anywhere else. That doesn't seem good. 

LUZ

Ah! That's because the Walker crossed a drop bridge — a special kind of bridge that collapses after being crossed once.

JAZMIN

Sounds like we should avoid those bridges until the end, if we can. Let's make the Walker go to button A first instead.

VALERIA

Agreed, I'll change it.

LUZ

Great, now the left bridge is on. That gives the Grabber a path to a cube. 

LUZ

Okay! Now that the Grabber can do something, let's switch to coding the Grabber!

JAZMIN

Hm? Why not just keep coding the Walker until it's done?

LUZ

Well, you could try it that way. But that might be a little tricky.

JAZMIN

Since the bots need to help each other move around the puzzle, they'll need to take turns moving.

JAZMIN

I see. The Walker just had its turn to move, so now it's the Grabber's turn — that's what we need to code next.

VALERIA

Right. Since the left bridge is on now, the Grabber can go pick up the cube at position E.

LUZ

I'll switch to the Grabber and add that code. Then, let's test it out.

LUZ

The Grabber fell before the Walker made it to button A...

LUZ

Ah! Right. Since the bots need to take turns, they also need to wait for each other.

JAZMIN

They can do that?

LUZ

Yep! Since bots can trigger events, like pressing a button, other bots can listen for those events using "wait for".

JAZMIN

Makes sense. So before the Grabber picks up the cube at E, we should have it wait for the Walker to step on button A.

VALERIA

I'll add that to the Grabber's code. Then we can run it to make sure it works.

LUZ

That's better. Now we can tell the Grabber to drop the cube in one of the cube trays.

LUZ

Between cube tray C or D...it should probably drop at D first. If it went to C, it would cross the drop bridge and get stuck.

VALERIA

Sounds good. Let's run it again.

LUZ

Yay, now one of the bridges we need to cross is on! Next, the Grabber should...

JAZMIN

Oh wait, it can’t do anything again. We need another cube for cube tray C, but the bridge to the second cube is off.

JAZMIN

If the Grabber is out of options, let's switch back to coding the Walker.

LUZ

What should the Walker's next line of code be? Let's think. 

VALERIA

What should the Walker's next line of code be?

Think independently before starting poll

Poll Preview

Vote!

Polling...

Responses

What should the Walker's next line of code be?

3

2

1

"Wait for D"

"Wait for C"

"Go to B"

Vote!

Polling...

Responses

Question

Text

Text

Text

Text

4

3

2

1

Remember, the bots are taking turns. While the Grabber does its turn, we need the Walker to wait before continuing.

JAZMIN

Right, I'll add that as the next line of code. But which object should the Walker wait for?

LUZ

Hmm...not button A or B, since only the Walker can reach those. A bot can't wait on itself. 

VALERIA

But the Walker can wait for the Grabber. Since the Grabber ends its turn by using cube tray D, the Walker can "wait for D".

VALERIA

Got it. Now that the Walker is waiting its turn, what should it do next?

LUZ

It should go to button B, since that turns on the other bridge. 

VALERIA

Okay, I think that's it for the Walker. Let's run it and check.

LUZ

Looks good! Now we just need the Grabber to move the remaining cube!

JAZMIN

I'll switch back to the Grabber. First, let's make sure it waits before moving again.

LUZ

Since the Walker ends its turn by going to button B, the Grabber needs to "wait for B".

LUZ

Once that bridge is on, the Grabber can go pick up the cube at position F...

VALERIA

...Then drop it at cube tray C.

VALERIA

And that should turn on the second bridge we need to cross! Let's try it.

LUZ

It worked! Thanks to us, the bots learned great teamwork.

VALERIA

Yep, now they know how to "wait for" their turn! Okay, onto the next-

JAZMIN

Well well well, looks like your little team restored one star! Big deal!

LEM

Uh huh...shouldn't you be helping your friend or something?

VALERIA

Oh please! Cordy can handle it on her own. I'm here for some entertainment!

LEM

Psst, Valeria...I don't know why he's doing this, but isn't it good for us if they're separated? They'll work more slowly that way.

LUZ

Oh! True...

VALERIA

Well Lem, we're headed to the next puzzle...not that you could solve it. Better hurry up or we'll leave you behind!

VALERIA

Oh yeah?? Bet I could solve the next one in my sleep, unlike you three!

LEM

He took the bait so easily...

LUZ (THINKING)

We just need to finish our part here, and Ed will do his. We're counting on you, Ed!

LUZ (THINKING)

Keep Going!

Part 4

Keep this in mind as you play...

In today's puzzles, the bots need to take turns helping each other.

  • Use process of elimination to decide which bot needs to move, and write some code.
  • Use "wait for" to ensure only one bot is moving at a time.
  • You'll be switching back and forth between coding both bots. Run your code often to check your progress!

Check In!

Part 5

Lem, I'm done draining all the stardust! We're about to bring Wolf the biggest haul ever...!

CORDY

Haha, he's gonna be so proud of us! Quick, let's head back to our...

LEM

...Our spaceship...

LEM

IT'S WRECKED?!

CORDY & LEM

Teehee!

ED

YOU...! I should've known you were up to something!!

LEM

Wait...not only that, you three restored all of the galaxy's stars??

CORDY

Yep. We even made a new star!

VALERIA

It's a kitten star...isn't it sooooo cute?

LUZ

How...when did you do that?!

CORDY

Cordy, I sent you a message about it on our Talk-Its! Didn't you read it??

LEM

No, I didn't! I was a little busy because someone left me to do all the work by myself!

CORDY

Sorry to break this up — but if you two want to leave this galaxy, you'll have to use your stolen stardust to power the spaceship repair!

ED

Ugh...! Fine! But we'll get you for this, just wait!!

LEM

Mission complete. Thanks again for your help, Ed.

VALERIA

Of course! Those two could learn something about teamwork from us, don't you think?

ED

Totally. How'd they know where to find us, anyway?

LUZ

I think some people are taking notice of the recovering galaxies...you might even have a small group of supporters!

ED

But because of that, Wolf is only going to keep a closer eye on you from here on out. So be careful.

ED

You might not need to worry about those two for a while, though. Look.

ED

We can't go back to Wolf empty-handed! C'mon, let's follow them to the next galaxy!

LEM

No way. We have a duty to update him on the situation. Let's go back to his station.

CORDY

But...! Ugh, forget it. We might never leave this place with how long the line for the repair is!

LEM

Seriously, why are so many of your spaceships broken?!

LEM

We work with cats...you know how it is.

STAR-MAKER A

...Coming here was a mistake.

CORDY

Heh...I see. Well then, let's take this chance to head out.

VALERIA

Safe travels! Maybe I'll see you again sometime!

ED

...I have a feeling we will. See you.

LUZ

Oh, we're here! I've heard a lot about this galaxy!

JAZMIN

And I've heard a lot about you. Sorry, but your time is up.

???

Until next time...

Meanwhile, Sol...

Tinker to understand how BOOM and WEAK work!

  • Touch and push objects
  • Use blocks to make and break rules
  • Pause to read rules
    with the Inspector
  • Ask, "What do I notice?" after trying something

In problem 1, which of Zorro's observations is the most useful?

  1. The lava is orange
  2. There's a lot of snow
  3. There's a rule for ROCK IS DEFEAT
  4. Walking on lava seems scary

Be ready to vote then discuss
why after time is up!

You can also use the Inspector
to read rules and learn more about state blocks!

  • What do I notice and what could be useful?
  • What is the goal?
  • What is blocking me
    from the goal? Why?

To understand a problem,
ask yourself these questions:

Once you understand a problem,
plan a solution by asking yourself these questions:

  • How can I break this problem into smaller steps?
  • What order should I do these steps in?

Work independently
to solve problems!

Next lesson, you will solve problems independently to show what you’ve learned!

Asking the Guiding Questions

Inspecting rules and objects

Inspecting state blocks

If you get stuck, try:

In problem 1, learn about SINK
by making the rules shown below.

SOL IS SINK

GOLD IS SINK

FOSSIL IS SINK

Both 2 and 3

Which rule(s) are helpful
for solving the problem?

1

2

3

4

Be ready to vote then discuss
after time is up!

Click to undo 
your last move

Click to reset 
the problem

Inspect state blocks

Inspect rules and objects

Reset the problem

Shortcut: Press the R key

Undo your last move

Shortcut: Press the Z key

As you play, make observations
about problems by asking yourself:

"What do I notice and
what could be useful?"

Some useful things to notice are:

  • Rules that are already
    in the problem
  • New rules you could make with the blocks in the problem

Focus on rules

See a reminder of how a state block works

Sol's friends will ask you
questions during your journey.
Try to help them out by
answering correctly!