[plt-scheme] 3rd-8th Grade

I dropped in on the fifth meeting of a robot club for children in 
grades 3 through 8.  The Robots were made from Lego kits and the task 
was to remove toxic waste barrels (soup cans) from a warehouse (a 4 
foot circle).  The programs were 'written' with drag-drop icons and 
transferred to the independent robots.

It was very encouraging to see how well the children could change the 
designs to eventually make a successful machine.  It was also 
illuminating to see them blame the software for everything, just like 
in an adult laboratory.

I wonder, though, about the 100% drag-drop programming.  I am neither a 
father nor an educator, so I am asking those who are: shouldn't the 
children at least see some words that cause the movements, if not be 
encouraged to type a few?

rac