Ages 6-9 years old
Super Fun Introduction to Science and Engineering for Young Kids!
"Robotic Minivators" invites children aged 6-9 to explore science and engineering for themselves, through fun and interactive team activities! Children explore science topics in the world around them through hands-on building activities and a small research project. Teamwork values the contribution made by each individual. Team members respect each other and other teams at all times, and teams always have FUN! "Robotic Minivators" is not a competition - it is a learning journey.
Our first "Robotic Minivators" team had so much fun in with this program in 2017 that we could hardly send them home after every meeting. This program will be available in Semester 2 2018.
Challenge
Each year a new challenge is set. "Robotic Minivators" teams begin by learning about teamwork. Team members then learn about the season topic, and regularly build models to explain their ideas to others. Teams will produce a large model and a poster illustrating what they have learned by the end of the season.
After meeting together for a season, teams attend an expo to display their work and tell others about what they learned!
2018 Season
In semester 2 Robot Obedience School will be offering a moon themed season for "Robotic Minivators".
Equipment Used
In Robotic Minivators, we use studded bricks, with some gears, axles and pins. This system is largely familiar to children who build with plastic blocks already.
The system is programmed from a tablet using a simple graphical programming language, which has been designed to suit beginners. Students get excited when their programs make the robot move - this is a big advantage to using robotics to teach coding!
No Prior Experience Required
Students do not require prior experience in robotics or programming to join "Robotic Minivators".
The programs are created using a tablet. Children figure out how to use these very quickly. Lessons are conducted in English.
Team Work
"Robotic Minivators" emphasises getting the students to work together as a team. The team decides on their own team name, designs their own team logo, and decides what problem they will explore, in accordance with the theme of the season.
Teams explore and share their ideas with the rest of their team by building models using plastic bricks. Teams make decisions using a voting process.
We use several team building methods to strengthen team identity and cohesion. Each member of the team is expected to contribute, and to encourage other team members. These soft-skills are a significant outcome of the course.
How to Get Involved
Robot Obedience School is offering "Robotic Minivators" during semester 2 2018, from August to December. We will meet on Saturday mornings during school term.
Meeting Schedule (tentative)
This schedule is two lessons short. We will have to squeeze in an extra lesson somehow. We may negotiate to do two lessons during the holidays, or we may be able to squeeze slightly more than one lesson into the existing slots.
| Date | Lessons | Times | Notes |
| Kits to arrive mid-August | |||
| Sat 18 Aug 2018 | L1 | 9am-12pm with break | |
| Sat 25 Aug 2018 | L2 | 9am-12pm with break | |
| Sat 1 Sept 2018 | L3 | 9am-12pm with break | |
| Sat 8 Sept 2018 | L4 | 9am-12pm with break | |
| Sat 15 Sept 2018 | L5 | 9am-12pm with break | |
| Sat 22 Sept 2018 | L6 | 9am-12pm with break | |
| Sat 29 Sept 2018 | L7 | 9am-12pm with break | School Holidays |
| ??? | L8 | 9am-12pm with break | School Holidays |
| ??? | L9 | 9am-12pm with break | School Holidays |
| Sat 13 Oct 2018 | L10 | 9am-12pm with break | School Holidays |
| Sat 20 Oct 2018 | L11 | 9am-12pm with break | |
| Sat 27 Oct 2018 | L12 | 9am-12pm with break | |
| Sat 3 Nov 2018 | 9:30am-12pm | Expo at Macquarie University | |
| Sat 10 Nov 2018 | 9am-12pm | End of Season Party!!! |
The meetings are in Pendle Hill. The address will be provided on registration.
Teams consist of 2-6 students aged 6-9 years old.
$250 to participate for the whole season offered in second semester 2018.
To participate in Robotic Minivators, please contact us for a registration form.
Satisfaction Guarantee
If you are unhappy with our programme for any reason, please let us know. We will refund your full fees up to two lessons in to the course. After that, a pro-rata refund applies. Buy with confidence!
