Ferris Wheel flowchart activity
Teach ride-control flowcharts with passenger checks, weather decisions, motor outputs, cabin lights and timed loops.
Concepts taught
This model helps students practise sequence, selection, conditionals, branching, iteration, repetition, loops, variables, inputs and outputs in a concrete classroom scenario.
Suggested age or phase
Middle/secondary/high school and GCSE algorithm practice.
Learning objectives
- Identify the physical inputs and outputs in the system.
- Build a flowchart that uses decisions and repeated checks.
- Trace what happens when conditions change.
- Explain how the algorithm could be converted into pseudocode or code.
Example tasks
Task 1: Manual motor test
Students build and run a flowchart that applies sequence, decisions and repeated checks in the Ferris Wheel model.
Task 2: Passenger loading check
Students build and run a flowchart that applies sequence, decisions and repeated checks in the Ferris Wheel model.
Task 3: Safe ride sequence
Students build and run a flowchart that applies sequence, decisions and repeated checks in the Ferris Wheel model.
Task 4: Weather safety stop
Students build and run a flowchart that applies sequence, decisions and repeated checks in the Ferris Wheel model.
Task 5: Full automatic ride cycle
Students build and run a flowchart that applies sequence, decisions and repeated checks in the Ferris Wheel model.
Common misconceptions
- Starting the motor before checking safety inputs.
- Treating a delay as a condition instead of a timed wait.
- Leaving outputs on after the ride should stop.
Curriculum connections
Useful for England computing lessons on sequence, selection and repetition; Australian curriculum language such as branching and iteration; and US K-12 computer science vocabulary including loops, conditionals, algorithms and flowcharts.
Teachers can use the activity as a starter, live demonstration, independent task, intervention activity or assessment checkpoint.
Free activity and licence
The free Zebra Crossing flowchart gives students a quick way to try Flow-Logic. A school licence unlocks the full model library, teacher panel, solution passwords and classroom tasks.