SMART STEM Club - Term 1 2025

Is your child interested in coding and robotics but doesn’t know where to start? Perhaps they've had a brief introduction to block coding at school (eg, using Scratch) and are ready to combine this with some hands-on robotics activities. Our Build your own Robo-pet - coding and robotics for beginners* program is just for them!

Students will build a mechanical rover using LEGO® then pair it with a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Intelligent Brick to transform it into a robot. By the end of the program, they will have created and decorated their own Robo-pet and programmed it using block coding.

Over five weeks, our budding robotics engineers will:

🎰 Start using block coding to help their robot navigate through a maze

🐰 Add sound to their robot and begin designing accessories for their Robo-pet

💻 Incorporate an ultra-sonic sensor and begin experimenting with coding loops

🤖 Attach a mechanical arm and continue coding the robot to respond to sensors

🦖 Decorate their Robo-pet and explore more advanced coding functions

There will be plenty of time for open-ended exploration and creativity each week, so your child can work at their own pace with support from our expert educators. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to ignite your child’s passion for coding and robotics!

*If your child has attended a coding and robotics STEM Club previously, this course is probably not for them as it assumes little to no prior experience.

SMART STEM Club - Term 1, 2025

Details

Host: The University of Newcastle's SMART Program

Dates: Thursday 20 February to Thursday 20 March (5 sessions), 4:30pm –5:45pm AEST

Time: 4.30pm - 5.45pm (75 minute sessions)

Who: Primary school students in Years 3, 4, 5, and 6

Location: Callaghan Campus, University of Newcastle, NSW Australia (Building location to be advised prior to commencement)

Cost: $150 per student (incl. GST) for the 5 sessions

Payment: Online via Humanitix only. Instalment options are available.

Contact: Please contact the SMART Program with any questions via 0488 231 356 or smart@newcastle.edu.au

Enrolments

• Limited to 20 students, based on order of registration via Humanitix. A waitlist will be created when all tickets are sold.
• Restricted to primary school or registered homeschool students currently enrolled in Years 3, 4, 5, or 6.
• Families enrolling 2 or more students are invited to use the discount code FAMILY#25 at checkout and will receive a $25 discount