Robotics Workshop

RobotFun School Workshop

We can visit your school in: East Midlands, West Midlands, London & South East, East of England, South West, North East, North West, Yorkshire

Why book 'Robotics Workshop' with RobotFun

Programming is becoming more and more important as the 21st Century progresses, and will be a key skill for tomorrow's workforce. The earlier that children can be introduced to the concept of programming, the better.

Robots are fantastically engaging for everyone, no matter what their age or ability. Our workshops are opportunities for everyone to program a physical system, something that is an important part of the KS2 curriculum. Programming a robot as part of a group workshop also promotes softer skills such as team building, cooperation and careful and precise thinking.

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments

What activities are available during this educational workshop?

Say Hello to Ozobot – a small, round and friendly line tracking robot that anyone who can draw a line can program (Early Years to KS2/3). Includes block based programming for Y2 and upward;
Meet Edison – a very orange, Lego compatible driving robot with many different sensors and abilities, including being able to scan large bar codes. Edison is programmable in 3 different ways; (KS2 and up);
Driving Around with Sphero and friends – a new workshop for Y5 and up based on the fast rolling Sphero robots Bolt, SPRK+, Ollie, mini, and, now also their brand new driving robot with science abilities, RVR

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Curriculum topics available: Robotics, Coding, Information and Communications Technology, Algorythms and data, Cyber-security, Artificial Intelligence.

Our workshop robots are all computers with sensors. They are programmable in multiple ways, from drawing, through block based languages such as Scratch to text based programming languages such as Python. However a robot is programmed, there is a direct link from the program on screen to the actions of the robot.

Curriculum topics available: Electricity and circuits, Earth and space, Forces, Sound, Light, Forces and magnets, Changes in systems (KS3/4), Describing motion (KS3/4).

The way a robot moves is determined partly by how it is programmed and partly by physical laws. Displaying a colour by defining its red, blue, and green components is an illustration of the technology behind cameras and TVs. Robot movement and colour feature in many of our workshops. Quite a few of our robots can use infra-red light or ultrasonic sound to measure distance to objects around the robot.

Curriculum topics available: Logic and Problem Solving, Measurement, Geometry, Shape.

Robotic programming tasks such as navigation and manufacturing require precision of movement. Each step in the algorithm has to be precisely calculated. A two dimensional example is how to get a robot to describe a regular polygon with n sides, which requires a loop consisting of driving straight for the length of the side and rotating left or right by 180 degrees minus the internal angle of the polygon, repeating these actions n times. Another example is getting a robot to steer in a smooth curve, which is accomplished by driving the wheels at different speeds - exactly how an electric car goes around a corner.

Curriculum topics available: Mechanics and engineering, Electronics, 3D Printing.

Our robots come in an amazing variety of forms, from small and bug-like to cubes that program themselves, to balls, to robotic vehicles that can be programmed to be autonomous. This is cutting-edge educational technology. Although our workshops concentrate on one type of robot, we also bring along a selection of other robots to show to the children.

The robots that we take to schools are engineered in many different ways. There are bugs that scrabble around, robotic cars that are programmed by colour, robotic hamsters trapped in balls, tracked robots, robots that can be programmed by drawing, a friendly robot dog, robots that work with Lego and more. One kit can even build robots that can change shape!

Curriculum topics available: Autistic Spectrum, General Learning Difficulties, Dyslexia Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia, Partially Wheelchair Accessible, Physical and Mobility.

I have observed that children with SEN engage really well with my robots. They're small, unthreatening, use colour and sound, and always, but always, do exactly what they are programmed to do, nothing more and nothing less. This appeal is the same for all ages, from Reception to KS4.

What size groups do you cater for?

Each of our workshops are designed for groups of up to 30 participants, working in pairs.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

Children who are disabled are able to use the robots, though some may need extra help depending on their disability.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Children with SEN really engage with our robots. In our workshops we try to involve such children and to give them as much extra help as they need.

Anything else?

All our workshops are timed to last about an hour – up to 4 can be delivered during a school day. We can be flexible if this doesn't meet your needs though – just ask.

Although we bring our own equipment, use of wireless internet access is very helpful to have. We are also happy to use your equipment if you would prefer this. Should you decide to engage us for a workshop session we will provide all the necessary technical details, and will be happy to liaise with your local network manager.

Who are RobotFun?

RobotFun was founded in 2015 by a Ph.D physicist and experienced STEM Ambassador, with the aim of promoting STEM education through robotics, in primary and secondary education.

RobotFun workshops offer all children, but especially girls, and those with differing needs and abilities, the chance to explore robotics, and to program a real robot to do something really cool. Our workshops are easily linked to the KS2 Computing Curriculum.

We have many different types of robots, and are able to provide tailored workshops to every age group from Early Years to KS4. We are also able to deliver themed talks in school assemblies.