Early Robotics: Build, Move and Code
Build, Move and Code
Build moving robots with coding blocks and sensors, then tackle playful challenge courses through hands-on tinkering.
About this Workshop
This workshop is part of Creya Learning's Makers Day Out 101 Series, a collection of immersive, hands-on experiences that helps students learn as creators, makers and problem-solvers and transform their ideas into working solutions.
The Early Robotics workshop introduces young learners to Robotics through playful building, movement and coding challenges. Students discover that a robot is a machine that can receive information, follow instructions and perform an action. Through hands-on activities, they explore how motors create movement, sensors detect changes and programmes tell a robot what to do.
As students build, predict, programme, test and try again, they develop logical thinking, spatial reasoning and early computational-thinking skills. The emphasis is not on creating a perfect robot immediately, but on learning how instructions, components and physical design work together.
Workshop at a Glance
Grades 1–3
4.5 hours without a scheduled break
Playful exploration, two guided projects, one robotic challenge, testing and presentation
No prior building, coding or Robotics experience is required
Age-appropriate Robotics kits, motors, sensors and a visual or block-based programming interface
Expected Impact & Student Takeaways
Workshop Schedule
Introduction to Robots
Explore what robots are, where they are used and how they differ from ordinary machines. Identify simple examples of inputs, instructions and actions through demonstrations and movement-based activities.
Meet the Robotics Kit
Become familiar with the structural parts, motors, sensors and controller. Practise connecting parts safely and explore how changes in a build can affect movement and stability.
Guided Project 1: Make the Robot Move
Build a simple moving robot and use visual programming blocks to make it move forward, stop and turn. Arrange commands in sequence and test how timing or distance affects movement.
Guided Project 2: Make the Robot Respond
Add a sensor or input and programme the robot to respond to a condition. The robot may stop near an obstacle, react to a signal or activate a light, sound or movement.
Robot Challenge: Imagine and Plan
Receive a playful challenge such as following a route, avoiding an obstacle, reaching a destination or completing a task. Identify what the robot must do and arrange the required actions in order.
Robot Challenge: Build, Code and Test
Develop the robot and programme its actions. Test it on the challenge course, identify problems and improve the build or sequence through repeated attempts.
Robot Showcase and Reflection
Core Learning Pillars
Understanding Robots
See a robot as a system that receives an input and produces an action.
Sequencing and Algorithms
Arrange instructions in the correct order to achieve a desired result.
Visual Programming
Use icons or coding blocks to programme simple robotic behaviours.
Prediction and Testing
Predict what the robot will do, run the programme and compare.
Debugging and Persistence
Identify what did not work, make one change and test again.
Spatial Reasoning
Think about direction, distance, position and movement.
Collaboration and Communication
Share components, take turns and explain how the robot works.
Student as Technology Creator
Gain the confidence to build and programme technology, not only use it.
Why Participate?
Understand how building parts, motors, sensors and instructions work together.
Use visual commands and blocks to control a physical robot.
Arrange instructions in the correct order and predict what will happen.
Explore direction, position, distance, movement and turning.
Discover that mistakes provide clues about what needs to be changed.
Try again when the first design or programme does not work as expected.
Share materials, take turns and make decisions as a team.
Explain the robot's task, programme and improvements.
Develop foundational building, coding and problem-solving skills for future Robotics and STEAM experiences.
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