Fire Tech Camp was a great experience and the best camp I've ever been to. I think the camp does a great job in combining fun with learning.
Emma, 13yr old programmer
How Computers Solve Mazes - Introduction to Pathfinding
resetIn this course picker times will be displayed in timezone chosen above but all times shown elsewhere will reflect the UK Times these events take place.
How Computers Solve Mazes – Introduction to Pathfinding
Learn about the fundamentals of the pathfinding algorithms behind apps like Google Maps. Learn about applications in videogames by pathfinding in environments with obstacles and different terrains.
Course highlights
How do pathfinding apps work?
Learn about the super simple and clever Dijkstra pathfinding algorithm and how to code it in Python.
Visualise maze solving algorithms with a graphical user interface
Use Pygame to build a personalised maze solver
See applications of pathfinding algorithms in video games and beyond!
Using Construct, we will create an environment with obstacles and different terrains to navigate objects through using pathfinding code.
Featured FAQ
What is a Fire Tech Experience?
Fire Tech Experiences are regular, super short, high-interest sessions about the very latest developments in technology on topics you will love. Designed and led by inspiring, enthusiastic experts, …
Fire Tech Experiences are regular, super short, high-interest sessions about the very latest developments in technology on topics you will love. Designed and led by inspiring, enthusiastic experts, Fire Tech Experiences introduce you to new worlds and ideas from the comfort of home.
Course Overview
Ever wondered how a computer can solve a maze so quickly? In videogames, how do your non-human enemies decide what path to take to track you down so ruthlessly? How can self-driving cars determine the best, most fuel-efficient route to a far off destination? How do lunar rovers decide their next move?
Look no further, as we take a super fun dive into what are known as Pathfinding Algorithms. Discover the theory behind the world-famous Dijkstra Method and then code it with Python. We will then implement our algorithms on personalised mazes through a graphical interface so we can watch the navigation happening in real time!
Next we code personalised environments using Construct 3 and apply our algorithms to objects navigating through different terrains avoiding obstacles. Can they find the fast route? Can they avoid the insurmountable obstacles?
In this session the instructor will demonstrate the tools onscreen and take questions throughout. The instructor will provide links to any relevant downloads at the END of the session for students who wish to attempt their own activities afterwards.
FireTech Experiences are a new series of short, high interest, fun and engaging tech demonstrations and talks. These are delivered in webinar style, with the main presenter showcasing a new interesting aspect of technology and learning.
What your child will learn
- Understanding of what pathfinding algorithms are and graph terminology
- Understanding of the Dijkstra algorithm and be able to code them in Python applying it to different problems including mazes
- How to use a graphical user interfaces to simulate the algorithm in a more interactive way
- How to use Construct to code an environment with obstacles and different terrain weights and applying pathfinding algorithms to objects
Meet Leszek
Leszek studies Electronic and Information Engineering at Imperial College London and teaches our coding courses. He loves using his STEM skills to bring people together and recently created an Imperial college fantasy football app that connects 200 players together.
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