Computing · Stage 5

Design → Build → Test → Improve

Coding & Systems · create · real makers don't get it right the first try — they plan it, build it, try it out, fix what went wrong, and go round again until it is good

✦ Computing📘 Stage 5 · S5⏱ ~12 min🧒 Ages 9–10★ Free to start

I can use the design–build–test–improve cycle.

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Kavi's Wobbly First Game

Kavi wanted to make a game where a basket catches falling apples. So Kavi built the whole thing at once — and when it ran, the apples fell so fast nobody could catch a single one! Kavi felt like starting over from nothing. Then an owl-friend smiled. "You don't throw it away," she said. "Makers go round a cycle. First you design — plan what you want. Then you build a first version. Then you test it to see what goes wrong. Then you improve the part that failed — and you go round again." Kavi slowed the apples down, tested again, and caught three in a row. "It's not perfect," Kavi grinned, "but each loop it gets better!"

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What your child will learn

1Design → Build → Test → Improve → round againReal makers almost never get it right the first try. They go round a cycle: plan it, build it, try it out, then fix what went wrong — and go round again. Each loop makes the project a little better. Tap each phase.

2What you actually do in each phaseThe cycle has four phases. Tap each one to hear its job — then you loop back to the start and do it all again, a bit better.

3Build-it-once, or go round the cycle?You could build the whole thing at once and hope it works. Or you could build a little, test it, fix what the test showed, and loop. One way leaves you stuck; the other gets better every loop.

4One loop of the cycle, for a real projectWatch Kavi take the catch-the-apple game once round the cycle — then loop back to the start to add more. Press ▶ Run.

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A peek inside

Kavi has finished sketching a plan for the game and listed what it needs. Which phase of the cycle comes next?

the cycle goes Design → Build → Test → Improve

Try this at home: The maker's cycle has four phases: Design, Build, ____, and Improve.

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

Start the free lesson →⬇ Download PDF

Part of Computing · Stage 5 · S5 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.