Too many threatened species are on the brink of extinction due to a range of threats. A lesser recognised but very real threat to these species, is that many people do not know they exist, or how they can help. We think the only thing more unjust than wildlife extinction, is the loss of a species that no one knew was in trouble.

This program provides the opportunity for students to learn about a threatened Australian animal and share this with their class in a hands-on and engaging manner.

Sphero BOLT is a fully programmable robot, which is an excellent STEM based tool. Students will learn how to block code a Sphero BOLT, to represent and share information on a threatened Australian animal. This session promotes creativity, problem solving, imagination, collaboration, and communication skills.

Information sheets on various threatened Australian animals will be provided during the session. However, students are welcome to research a threatened Australian animal beforehand.

Duration: 1.5 hours per group

How do we block code a Sphero Bolt to share important information about a threatened Australian animal?

In this program students will:

• Develop a greater understanding of the meaning Threatened Species.
• Learn about a threatened Australian animal.
• Learn how to block code to animate and share information about a threatened animal, as well as move the Sphero Bolt around the circle
• Present important information about a threatened Australian animal to the class using Sphero Bolt
• Gain a greater understanding of various threatened Australian animals and what they can do to help

Students will:

• Block code Sphero Bolts
• Create animated images of threatened Australian animals on a Sphero Bolt
• Plan a path for a Sphero Bolt, considering angles and bearings, speed and time
• Use Sphero Bolts to share various facts about a threatened Australian animal such as habitat, diet, threats and adaptations

Science – Science understanding

• Habitats can be described by their physical conditions; changing the physical conditions of a habitat, including by human activity, may affect the growth and survival of organisms (VC2S6U01)
• Organisms have evolved over time, as seen in fossils and scientific records; the structural features and behaviours of living organisms enable them to thrive in their environments (VC2S6U02)

Science – Science inquiry

• Equipment can be used to observe, generate, measure and record data with reasonable precision for repeated measurements, using digital tools as appropriate (VC2S6I03)
• Scientific ideas, findings, patterns, trends and relationships can be communicated for a specific purpose and audience, using various presentation formats, scientific vocabulary and digital tools as appropriate (VC2S6I06)

Digital Technologies – Creating digital solutions

• Implement algorithms as visual programs involving control structures, variables and input (VC2TDI6C04)
• Evaluate existing and student-created solutions against the requirements and their broader community impact (VC2TDI6C05)