Robotics for kids Adelaide
Build, program and experiment with working robots
Children aged 6–14 can explore robotics through hands-on STEM projects using Edison robots, LEGO Spike Essential and LEGO Spike Prime.
No previous robotics or coding experience is needed.
Robotics classes built around making things work
Robotics at Bits and Bots Learning brings coding, building and engineering together through practical projects at our Panorama studio in Adelaide.
Children do more than assemble a robot. They learn how instructions make it behave, how changes to a build affect what it can do and how different solutions can be tested when a robot needs to complete a task.
Younger children can start with simple commands, movement and guided builds. As their skills develop, projects can introduce more complex code, combinations of motors and sensors, and robotic systems capable of more sophisticated behaviour.
Edison robots, LEGO Spike Essential and LEGO Spike Prime provide different ways for children to explore these ideas as they progress.
How children experience robotics at Bits and Bots
Robotics activities appear throughout Junior Bots and Pixel Pioneers, with the equipment and challenges changing according to the project and level of experience.
Programming Edison robots
Edison robots provide an accessible starting point for younger students.
Children can begin by controlling robots with simple barcode commands before progressing to coding with edBlock or edScratch. Junior Bots students typically work with a single robot, using code or remote controls to make it move and complete activities.
Past projects have included Robo-soccer, navigating a maze and programming Edison robots to create spiral art.
Building with LEGO Spike Essential
Junior Bots students also use LEGO Spike Essential to combine building and programming.
Children typically follow instructions to construct a particular device and can then make adjustments to improve their solution. Projects have included building a kick-off robot.
The Spike Essential controller supports a motor and sensor combination appropriate for these earlier robotics activities.
Taking on LEGO Spike Prime challenges
Older Pixel Pioneers students can work with LEGO Spike Prime, which supports more complex combinations of motors and sensors.
Students can build robots for more involved tasks and use features such as gyroscope and light sensors to control movement, detect lines or respond to the environment.
First LEGO League mission kits can also provide robotics challenges, with students choosing which missions to attempt and considering different ways to solve them.
Robotics develops from ages 6–14
The robotics progression at Bits and Bots moves from understanding basic control towards building and programming more complex systems.
Start with simple commands and movement
Younger children can begin by making a robot respond to basic commands. Edison barcode programming provides an early entry point before students progress into block-based coding.
The immediate response of a physical robot helps children see what their instructions actually make the device do.
Introduce more motors and sensors
Progressing into Pixel Pioneers allows robotics projects to become more complex.
Students can work with multiple motors and use sensors such as gyroscopes and light sensors. With Edison robots, more advanced projects can also combine two robots to control an attached arm or digger.
Combine building with programming
As children work with Edison and LEGO systems, coding becomes connected to physical construction.
They begin to consider not only the instructions in their program but also how the robot has been built and how motors or other components affect its behaviour.
Solve increasingly complex robotics challenges
Older students need to consider different possible solutions rather than simply making a robot move.
Building, coding and engineering decisions increasingly work together as students plan how a robot should complete a task, test the result and adjust their approach.
Robotics combines coding, engineering and problem solving
A robotics project gives children a physical system they can build, program, test and change.
If a robot does not behave as expected, the solution may involve the code, the physical build or a combination of both. Students therefore have opportunities to investigate what is happening and make changes.
More advanced projects can require them to decide which motors or sensors to use, how a robot should interact with an object and how accurately it needs to move.
First LEGO League mission activities add another dimension by presenting multiple challenges. Students can choose which mission they want to solve and decide how to approach it in both their coding and engineering.
The result is a learning activity where programming has an immediate physical purpose.
Robotics within Junior Bots and Pixel Pioneers
Robotics for kids at Bits and Bots is a learning area within our broader STEM programs rather than a separate weekly robotics-only class.
Junior Bots | Ages 6–9
Junior Bots provides a more guided introduction to robotics using equipment including Edison robots and LEGO Spike Essential.
Children can learn basic robot control, block-based coding and building skills while completing practical activities appropriate to their experience.
Pixel Pioneers | Ages 9–14
Pixel Pioneers introduces more complex robotics and engineering challenges using systems including Edison robots and LEGO Spike Prime.
Students can work with additional motors, sensors and more sophisticated code while taking greater responsibility for how they approach and solve a robotics challenge.
Robotics for beginners and experienced young builders
Children do not need previous robotics experience to join Bits and Bots.
Some students already love LEGO and building. Others are particularly interested in coding or want to understand how robots work. We also have children who arrive with limited previous experience of these technologies.
The projects provide guidance for students encountering robotics for the first time, while more experienced children can work on increasingly complex challenges.
For children around the overlapping ages between Junior Bots and Pixel Pioneers, previous experience, confidence and independence can also help determine which program provides the most appropriate starting point.
A free Come and Try class gives your child an opportunity to experience the activities before enrolling.
Robotics taught with experience across STEM and technology
I’m David Hemer, Founder and Owner of Bits and Bots Learning and a registered Highly Accomplished Teacher. I currently teach Mathematics, Digital Technologies and Technologies in South Australian secondary education.
I bring more than 35 years of specialised experience across Digital Technologies, STEM, computing and education. I have also coached and managed First LEGO League teams, alongside my academic and teaching background.
Frequently asked questions parents ask about robotics for kids
Who can learn robotics at Bits and Bots Learning?
Robotics activities at Bits and Bots are designed for children aged 6–14 across Junior Bots and Pixel Pioneers. Complete beginners can start with guided activities, while students with more experience can encounter increasingly complex building, coding and robotics challenges.
How do children learn robotics at Bits and Bots?
Children learn by building and programming working robots at our Panorama studio in Adelaide. Activities combine coding with physical construction, giving students opportunities to test how a robot behaves, solve problems and adjust their code or design.
What robots do children use at Bits and Bots Learning?
Children use Edison V3 robots, LEGO Spike Essential and LEGO Spike Prime, depending on their program and the activity. As students progress, they can move from simple robot movement towards projects involving more complex code, multiple motors and sensors.
Does my child need coding or robotics experience?
No. Children can begin with little or no previous robotics experience. Younger students receive guidance with basic building and robot control, while activities become more complex as their experience develops.
Is robotics a separate Bits and Bots class?
Robotics is taught within the Junior Bots and Pixel Pioneers STEM programs rather than as a separate robotics-only term class. This allows robotics projects to connect coding, engineering, building and problem solving with other areas of STEM learning.
Do children use LEGO robotics?
Yes. Junior Bots students can use LEGO Spike Essential, while Pixel Pioneers can work with the more capable LEGO Spike Prime system. Edison robots are also used extensively across the programs.
How does robotics become more advanced?
Students can progress from basic movement and block coding towards more complex builds involving additional motors, sensors and increasingly sophisticated robot behaviour. Older students also take greater responsibility for deciding how to solve a robotics challenge.
How do I know which robotics program suits my child?
Junior Bots is designed for ages 6–9 and Pixel Pioneers for ages 9–14. For children around the overlapping ages, experience, confidence and independence can also influence the best starting point. A free Come and Try class can help us identify the most suitable group.
Explore robotics through hands-on STEM
Give your child opportunities to build, code and experiment with robots through practical STEM projects at our Panorama studio.
Explore Junior Bots or Pixel Pioneers, or begin with a free Come and Try class.