Using a maze case study to teach: object-oriented programming and design patterns

In order to teach object-oriented design and programming in introductory computer science it is imperative to teach objects from the very beginning of the course. The use of interacting objects is motivated by examples with an inherent complexity. We describe a case study based on a maze as an example that provides a complex framework but at the same time admits to simple pieces that students can work with early in an introductory course. This case study can be used throughout the first year not only to introduce basic control structures, but also to introduce a number of design ideas and algorithms.