STEM Incursions, PD Workshops and Science Displays for Schools, Libraries and Special Events in Adelaide
At Adelaide Robotics and Computer Science Academy (ARCSA), we believe in captivating young minds and promoting critical thinking through hands-on Robotics and programmable drone experiences. Our incursions teach students technology skills and concepts and cover various curriculum topics such as Science, Mathematics, Physics, and others. Additionally, we offer RoboCup Junior SA Championships coaching, providing an all-encompassing and memorable learning experience.
Our educational programs provide a captivating and unforgettable experience. This has been confirmed by numerous schools, libraries and businesses that we have worked with, including St Peter’s Girls’ School, Australian Science & Mathematics School, Mercedes College, Kildare College, Hamilton Secondary College, Cabra Dominican College, Endeavour College, Prescott College Southern, Tatachilla Lutheran College, Willunga High School, Mitcham Primary School, Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Magill School, Fulham North School, Largs Bay School, Hills Christian Community School, Our Lady Of Grace School, Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Gawler & District College, Reynella East College, Echunga Primary School, Walkerville Council, City of West Torrens, Campbelltown City Council, Victor Harbor City Council, Warrnambool City Council, Kumon Australia and New Zealand, and Adelaide German Week.
At ARCSA, we go beyond the classroom to bring robotics and STEM education to the community. Are you planning a special event in Adelaide and want to captivate your audience with cutting-edge technology? We offer bespoke science displays and demonstrations that showcase the exciting world of robotics, indoor drones, coding, and automation. Whether it’s a community fair, a corporate event, or an educational gathering, our interactive and educational displays are designed to engage and inspire attendees of all ages. Through hands-on activities and live demonstrations, we bring the future of STEM to your event. Contact us today to find out how we can make your event a memorable experience.
Our STEM incursions, lasting 2 to 6 hours, are designed for Upper Primary (Year 4+) and High School students within 100 km around Adelaide. We can customise the programs to fit your school schedule and even offer a combination of robotics and programmable drones sessions. Additionally, we provide science displays for special events and exhibitions, showcasing a variety of experiments and demonstrations for all ages.
Please note that schools MUST provide their laptops (running Windows 7/8/10/11 or macOS) for the activities. Each class can have a maximum of 30 students; the recommended ratio is one robot/drone and one laptop per pair of students. Our staff are DCSI-cleared and First Aid certified and have completed Safe Environment for Children and RAN courses to ensure a safe learning environment.
Additionally, we offer science displays for special events, fairs, or exhibitions that showcase a variety of experiments and demonstrations for people of all ages.
Robotics Incursions:
Two-hour Session:
Intro
Robots definition by genus and difference
History of robots
Robots in modern society
Robots classification
How robots think
Robotics in Education
Computational Thinking
Various Robotics competitions
Movement Module
Move in all directions for specific distances
Study various types of turns
Sensors Module
Touch Sensor
Ultrasonic Sensor
Gyroscopic Sensor
Colour and Light Sensor
Decisions Module
Iteration (loops)
Logic (switches, conditions, decisions)
Flow Control
Competition
Sumo Challenge
Four-hour Session:
Intro
Robots definition by genus and difference
History of robots
Robots in modern society
Robots classification
How robots think
Robotics in Education
Computational Thinking
Various Robotics competitions
Movement Module
Move in all directions for specific distances
Study various types of turns
Sensors Module
Touch Sensor
Ultrasonic Sensor
Gyroscopic Sensor
Colour and Light Sensor
Decisions Module
Loops (Container Handling Challenge)
Switches/conditions (Strawberry Plant Sorter)
Complex Functions (Obstacle Orchard)
Line Tracking
Data Wires and Logic
Variables
Logic Operations
Maths
Random, rounding, compare, range
Competition
Sumo Challenge
Line Following
Pipeline Explorer
Six-hour Session:
Intro
Robots definition by genus and difference
History of robots
Robots in modern society
Robots classification
How robots think
Robotics in Education
Computational Thinking
Various Robotics competitions
Movement Module
Move in all directions for specific distances
Study various types of turns
Sensors Module
Touch Sensor
Ultrasonic Sensor
Gyroscopic Sensor
Colour and Light Sensor
Decisions Module
Loops (Container Handling Challenge)
Switches/conditions (Strawberry Plant Sorter)
Complex Functions (Obstacle Orchard)
Line Tracking
Data Wires and Logic
Variables
Logic Operations
Maths
Random, rounding, compare, range
Gyroscopic Sensor Investigation
Data Logging and Interpretation
Using graphs, calculation, analysis
Competition
City Challenge (program an autonomous car to drive through heavy traffic using all of the above sensors and coding skills)
For primary schools, we utilise icon-based coding (drag-and-drop). For high schools, you can choose between coding with Python or block software.
Programmable Drones Incursions:
Two-hour Session:
Intro
Safety in the classroom
Understanding lift force and airfoil
Rotorcrafts and quadcopters
Science (Physics)
Basics of autonomous flight
Flight Training: throttle, pitch, roll, yaw
Digital Technologies
Use logic reasoning with loops and if/else statements: design, modify and follow simple algorithms involving sequences of steps, branching, and iteration
Parameters and arguments: calculate the perimeter and area of rectangles using familiar metric units
Returning values: continue and create sequences involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals. Describe the rule used to generate the sequence
Mathematics
Investigate, estimate, measure and compare distances and angles on a straight line, angles at a point and vertically opposite angles. Use results to find unknown angles
Challenges
Apply Computational Thinking to solve Geometry problems: Pythagorean Theorem, Polygon equation
Four-hour Session:
Intro
Safety in the classroom
Understanding lift force and airfoil
Rotorcrafts and quadcopters
Science (Physics)
Basics of autonomous flight
Flight Training: throttle, pitch, roll, yaw
Digital Technologies
Use variables and functions: decide which variable should be changed and measured in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data, using digital technologies as appropriate
Use logic reasoning with loops and if/else statements: design, modify and follow simple algorithms involving sequences of steps, branching, and iteration
Parameters and arguments: calculate perimeter and area of rectangles using familiar metric units
Returning values: continue and create sequences involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals. Describe the rule used to generate the sequence
Mathematics
Investigate, estimate, measure and compare distances and angles on a straight line, angles at a point and vertically opposite angles. Use results to find unknown angles
Understanding 3D coordinates with the right-hand rule: solve problems involving the comparison of lengths and areas using appropriate units
Challenges
Apply Computational Thinking to solve Geometry problems: Pythagorean Theorem, Polygon equation, Search and Rescue (mapping the quadrants)
It is important to note that the drone batteries require recharging after two hours of use. As a result, a one-hour break is necessary halfway through the incursion for this purpose, and you will not be charged for this downtime.
Six-hour Session:
Intro
Safety in the classroom
Understanding lift force and airfoil
Rotorcrafts and quadcopters
Science (Physics)
Basics of autonomous flight
Flight Training: throttle, pitch, roll, yaw
Digital Technologies
Use variables and functions: decide which variable should be changed and measured in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data, using digital technologies as appropriate
Use logic reasoning with loops and if/else statements: design, modify and follow simple algorithms involving sequences of steps, branching, and iteration
Parameters and arguments: calculate the perimeter and area of rectangles using familiar metric units
Returning values: continue and create sequences involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals. Describe the rule used to generate the sequence
Mathematics
Investigate, estimate, measure and compare distances and angles on a straight line, angles at a point and vertically opposite angles. Use results to find unknown angles
Understanding 3D coordinates with the right-hand rule: solve problems involving the comparison of lengths and areas using appropriate units
Challenges
Apply Computational Thinking to solve Geometry problems: Pythagorean Theorem, Polygon equation, Search and Rescue (mapping the quadrants)
Apply Computational Thinking to solve Trigonometry problems: Arc, Circle, Helix, Spiral, Sine Wave, Orbit
It is important to note that the drone batteries require recharging after two hours of use. As a result, two one-hour breaks are necessary through the incursion for this purpose, and you will not be charged for this downtime.
For primary schools, we utilise icon-based coding (drag-and-drop). For high schools, you can choose between coding with Python or block software.
RoboCup Junior Coaching:
Do you currently have a RoboCup Junior team that is having difficulties achieving success? Are you looking for a new platform to showcase your students’ abilities? Consider starting a RoboCup team and entering the competition! Our experienced team can provide coaching to help your students succeed. With a track record of 10 state championship trophies in Soccer, Rescue, and Sumo over the past four years, we can guide your teams every step of the way, from start to finish.
Sumo:
Get the winning edge! With four Sumo trophies under our belt since 2019, we’re confident we can share our knowledge and help you secure a spot on the podium too!
Competition
Standard Sumo
Open Sumo
Soccer:
Soccer is our forte! Our expertise has been recognised with five awards in three consecutive years!
Competition
Standard League Soccer
Simple Simon Soccer
Rescue Line:
The Rescue Line is the most demanding challenge in the RoboCup Junior Championship, combining mathematical concepts like calculus, integrals and derivatives with automation techniques like PID control loop mechanisms and engineering. We were thrilled to have placed second in the 2021 Championships!
Competition
Primary Rescue Line
Secondary Rescue Line
Fees
Incursions: The fee is $10 per student per hour, with a minimum spend of $100 per hour. This price is available for venues within 20 km of Thebarton Community Centre. An additional fee of $1 per km each way will be applied for activities outside this area.
STEM Displays: The fee is $100 per hour. This price is available for venues within 20 km of Thebarton Community Centre. An additional fee of $1 per km each way will be applied for activities outside this area.
PD Workshops: The fee is $100 per hour for each participant.
Australian ACARA Content Outcomes
Digital Technologies
Investigate how digital systems use whole numbers as a basis for representing all types of data (ACTDIK015).
Design, modify and follow simple algorithms represented diagrammatically and in English involving sequences of steps, branching, and iteration (repetition) (ACTDIP019).
Acquire, store and validate different types of data, and use a range of software to interpret and visualise data to create information (ACTDIP016)
Implement digital solutions as simple visual programs involving branching, iteration (repetition), and user input (ACTDIP020)
Plan, create and communicate ideas and information, including collaboratively online, applying agreed ethical, social and technical protocols (ACTDIP022)
Implement simple digital solutions as visual programs with algorithms involving branching (decisions) and user input (ACTDIP011)
Collect, access and present different types of data using simple software to create information and solve problems (ACTDIP009)
Explore and use a range of digital systems with peripheral devices for different purposes, and transmit different types of data (ACTDIK007).
Solve problems involving multiplication of large numbers by one- or two-digit numbers using efficient mental, written strategies and appropriate digital technologies (ACMNA100).
Solve problems involving division by a one digit number, including those that result in a remainder (ACMNA101).
Pose questions and collect categorical or numerical data by observation or survey (ACMSP118).
Construct displays, including column graphs, dot plots and tables, appropriate for data type, with and without the use of digital technologies (ACMSP119).
Describe and interpret different data sets in context (ACMSP120).
Investigate everyday situations that use integers. Locate and represent these numbers on a number line (ACMNA124).
Convert between common metric units of length, mass and capacity (ACMMG136).
Electrical circuits provide a means of transferring and transforming electricity (ACSSU097)
Decide which variable should be changed and measured in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data, using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS104)
Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena (ACSHE098)
Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect peoples’ lives (ACSHE100)
Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS107)
With guidance, plan appropriate investigation methods to answer questions or solve problems (ACSIS103)
Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS125)
Science understanding influences the development of practices in areas of human activity such as industry, agriculture and marine and terrestrial resource management (ACSHE121)
Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS133)
Summarise data, from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, and use scientific understanding to identify relationships and draw conclusions (ACSIS145) and (ACSIS170).
Choose appropriate units of measurement for length, area, volume, capacity and mass (ACMMG108).
Recognise different types of data and explore how the same data can be represented in different ways (ACTDIK008)
Define simple problems, and describe and follow a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve them (ACTDIP010)
Explain how student solutions and existing information systems meet common personal, school or community needs (ACTDIP012)
Plan, create and communicate ideas and information independently and with others, applying agreed ethical and social protocols (ACTDIP013)
Examine the main components of common digital systems and how they may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014)
Define problems in terms of data and functional requirements drawing on previously solved problems (ACTDIP017)
Explain how student solutions and existing information systems are sustainable and meet current and future local community needs (ACTDIP021)
Acquire data from a range of sources and evaluate authenticity, accuracy and timeliness (ACTDIP025)
Analyse and visualise data using a range of software to create information, and use structured data to model objects or events (ACTDIP026)
Define and decompose real-world problems taking into account functional requirements and economic, environmental, social, technical and usability constraints (ACTDIP027)
Science
Suggest ways to plan and conduct investigations to find answers to questions (ACSIS054).
Safely use appropriate materials, tools or equipment to make and record observations, using formal measurements and digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS066).
Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives (ACSHE083).
Australian Curriculum Mapping Content descriptors:
Digital Technologies
- Examine the main components of common digital systems and how they may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014)
- Design, modify and follow simple algorithms involving sequences of steps, branching, and iteration (repetition) (ACTDIP019)
- Implement digital solutions as simple visual programs involving branching, iteration (repetition), and user input (ACTDIP020)
Mathematics
- Solve problems involving multiplication of large numbers by one- or two-digit numbers using efficient mental, written strategies and appropriate digital technologies (ACMNA100)
- Describe, continue and create patterns with fractions, decimals and whole numbers resulting from addition and subtraction (ACMNA107)
- Choose appropriate units of measurement for length, area, volume, capacity and mass (ACMMG108)
- Calculate perimeter and area of rectangles using familiar metric units (ACMMG109)
- Use a grid reference system to describe locations. Describe routes using landmarks and directional language (ACMMG113)
- Estimate, measure and compare angles using degrees. Construct angles using a protractor (ACMMG112)
- Select and apply efficient mental and written strategies and appropriate digital technologies to solve problems involving all four operations with whole numbers (ACMNA123)
- Continue and create sequences involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals. Describe the rule used to create the sequence (ACMNA133)
- Connect decimal representations to the metric system (ACMMG135)
- Convert between common metric units of length, mass and capacity (ACMMG136)
- Solve problems involving the comparison of lengths and areas using appropriate units (ACMMG137)
- Investigate, with and without digital technologies, angles on a straight line, angles at a point and vertically opposite angles. Use results to find unknown angles (ACMMG141)
English
- Select and
- Understand that patterns of language interaction vary across social contexts and types of texts and that they help to signal social roles and relationships (ACELA1501)
- Understand how to move beyond making bare assertions and take account of differing perspectives and points of view (ACELA1502)
- Clarify understanding of content as it unfolds in formal and informal situations, connecting ideas to students’ own experiences and present and justify a point of view (ACELY1699)
- Use interaction skills, for example paraphrasing, questioning and interpreting non-verbal cues and choose vocabulary and vocal effects appropriate for different audiences and purposes (ACELY1796)
- Plan, rehearse and deliver presentations for defined audiences and purposes incorporating accurate and sequenced content and multimodal elements (ACELY1700)
- Continue and create sequences involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals. Describe the rule used to create the sequence (ACMNA133)
- Connect decimal representations to the metric system (ACMMG135)
- Convert between common metric units of length, mass and capacity (ACMMG136)
- Solve problems involving the comparison of lengths and areas using appropriate units (ACMMG137)
- Investigate, with and without digital technologies, angles on a straight line, angles at a point and vertically opposite angles. Use results to find unknown angles (ACMMG141)
- Understand that strategies for interaction become more complex and demanding as levels of formality and social distance increase (ACELA1516)
- Participate in and contribute to discussions, clarifying and interrogating ideas, developing and supporting arguments, sharing and evaluating information, experiences and opinions (ACELY1709)
- Use interaction skills, varying conventions of spoken interactions such as voice volume, tone, pitch and pace, according to group size, formality of interaction and needs and expertise of the audience (ACELY1816)
- Plan, rehearse and deliver presentations, selecting and sequencing appropriate content and multimodal elements for defined audiences and purposes, making appropriate choices for modality and emphasis (ACELY1710)
Syllabus outcomes:
General capabilities:
General capabilities:
Cross-curriculum priority:
Relevant parts of Achievement Standards:
Relevant parts of Digital Technologies Achievement Standards: Students explain how the features of technologies influence design decisions and how digital systems are connected to form networks. Students describe a range of needs, opportunities or problems and define them in terms of functional requirements. They collect and validate data from a range of sources to assist in making judgements. Students generate and record design ideas for specified audiences using appropriate technical terms, and graphical and non-graphical representation techniques including algorithms. They plan, design, test, modify and create digital solutions that meet intended purposes including user interfaces and a visual program.
Relevant parts of Mathematics Achievement Standards: Students solve simple problems involving the four operations using a range of strategies. They check the reasonableness of answers using estimation and rounding. Students identify and describe factors and multiples. They identify and explain strategies for finding unknown quantities in number sentences involving the four operations. Students continue patterns by adding and subtracting fractions and decimals. They use appropriate units of measurement for length, area, volume, capacity and mass, and calculate perimeter and area of rectangles. Students use a grid reference system to locate landmarks. They measure and construct different angles.
Relevant parts of Mathematics Achievement Standards: Students solve problems involving all four operations with whole numbers. They solve problems involving the addition and subtraction of related fractions. Students connect decimal representations to the metric system and choose appropriate units of measurement to perform a calculation. They solve problems involving length and area. Students describe combinations of transformations. They solve problems using the properties of angles.
Relevant parts of English Achievement Standards: Students listen and ask questions to clarify content. They develop and explain a point of view about a text, selecting information, ideas and images from a range of resources. They make presentations which include multimodal elements for defined purposes. They contribute actively to class and group discussions, taking into account other perspectives.
Relevant parts of English Achievement Standards: Students compare and analyse information in different and complex texts, explaining literal and implied meaning. They select and use evidence from a text to explain their response to it. They listen to discussions, clarifying content and challenging others’ ideas. They show how specific details can be used to support a point of view. Students create detailed texts elaborating on key ideas for a range of purposes and audiences. They make presentations and contribute actively to class and group discussions, using a variety of strategies for effect.