Background

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.

Prior Knowledge

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

Key Learning Question

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

Learning Intentions

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

Activities

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

Victorian Curriculum

Science - Biological sciences

• Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (VCSSU074)
• The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment (VCSSU075)

Science - Planning and conducting

• With guidance, plan appropriate investigation types to answer questions or solve problems and use equipment, technologies and materials safely, identifying potential risks (VCSIS083)
• Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data (VCSIS084)

Science - Analysing and evaluating

• Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations (VCSIS086)
• Suggest improvements to the methods used to investigate a question or solve a problem (VCSIS087)

Science - Communicating

• Communicate ideas and processes using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and to identify simple cause-and-effect relationships (VCSIS088)

Design and Technologies - Technologies Contexts: Engineering principles and systems

• Investigate how forces or electrical energy can control movement, sound or light in a designed product or system (VCDSTC034)

Digital Technologies - Creating Digital Solutions

• Design, modify and follow simple algorithms represented diagrammatically and in English, involving sequences of steps, branching, and iteration (VCDTCD032)
• Develop digital solutions as simple visual programs (VCDTCD033)

Learning Continuum