Coding and Robotics workshops for 2025

Exploring Micro:Bit - from Sensors to Classroom Solutions  [entry level]

Unleash the power of Micro:bit sensors in your classroom! This interactive workshop will equips teachers with the skills to create engaging and practical projects using the Micro:bit's temperature,, accelerometer, compass, and button sensors. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced educator, this workshop will inspire you to transform your classroom into a dynamic learning space and teach key STEM and computational thinking outcomes along the way. 

Participants will work through free-flowing stations, each targeting a major micro:bit sensor, with tutorials and activity ideas for a range of learner proficiencies. Then you’ll plan a practical project (based on choice/interest) with a small group, developed by utilising a framework and Micro:bit’s capabilities. We will also discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with using Micro:bits in the classroom.

Micro:Bit Mastery - Elevating Servo and Sensor Applications [advanced]

This workshop delves deeper into the capabilities of the Micro:bit, focusing on servo control and sensor integration. Participants learn to create servo movements, implement feedback loops, and build basic autonomous systems. Through hands-on projects, educators explore practical applications such as simple robotic control and environmental monitoring. You’ll create 3 variations of a micro:bit/servo controlled machine, which will grow in complexity as you progress through the workshop. 

This workshop is ideal for those seeking to expand their Micro:bit skills and explore new possibilities in STEM education. This session is targeted for educators with some familiarity with micro:bit programming, but anyone is welcome to attend and experiment! The activities can be adapted for a variety of student ages.

Explore STEAM Learning with LEGO Education SPIKE Essential

Perfect for primary teachers.

Get hands-on as you build and code with SPIKE Essential! This fun and playful session will explore this Primary resource from LEGO Education and introduce you to the hardware, software and lesson materials as you collaborate to solve challenges. You will be set building and coding challenges, and discover two different ways of programming - suitable for both younger and older primary children. Experience Constructionist pedagogy and see how SPIKE Essential offers you and your primary students a real and tangible STEAM solution.

(New for Joburg!)

Text-based Coding with LEGO Education SPIKE Prime

Perfect for secondary teachers.

This hands-on session will still contain plenty of building, fun and playfulness, but will go deeper into coding as we explore how to control SPIKE Prime robots with Python. 

You will use and understand Python concepts to get a robot vehicle moving, and introduce autonomy through the use of sensors.  This session will start with the basics of Python, and so is suitable for those who are curious coders!

(New for Joburg!)

An Introduction to LEGO Education SPIKE Prime

Primary teachers - come and get hands-on with SPIKE Prime!

This practical session will introduce you to robotics and coding with LEGO. There will be challenges appropriate for upper primary, and attendees will get to experience a truly cross-curricular resource. Explore science and engineering concepts, work collaboratively, think critically and solve problems whilst building and coding in this fun, playful session. You will experience Constructionist pedagogy and see how LEGO Education SPIKE Prime offers you and your students a real and tangible STEAM solution.

Going Further with LEGO Education SPIKE Prime

Secondary teachers - the challenges are more advanced but the fun remains!    Primary teachers are welcomed too!

This practical session will explore how more advanced coding and robotic concepts, such as the use of sensors, can be taught in an engaging and playful way. You will build, code, test, and iterate as the challenges mount, and will need to work collaboratively, think critically, and solve problems whilst building and coding in this fun, playful session. You will experience Constructionist pedagogy and see how SPIKE Prime offers you and your students a real and tangible STEAM solution.