Over two days, they learned how to construct their own mobile machines.
With the instruction of Ms Kempton, the innovative classes learned how to program and automate their tiny machines.
A variety of robots whirred across the floor when the Southern Riverina News attended, performing tasks such as picking up lollies and taking them back to their child masters.
‘‘The kids are really engaged,’’ Ms Kempton said.
‘‘It involves perseverance and persistence to get the robots together. It is hands on, puts them out of their comfort zone, and it involves problem solving.
‘‘What we see here is an expanded ability in literacy and numeracy, and a development of confidence for the kids.’’
Fields like robotics, engineering, science, and maths, typically exhibit a higher proportion of men than women, but Ms Kempton says this year ‘‘the girls are the clueist’’.
Students Tahlia Wood and Shae Darko had a good time building their robots, but said they did not know if they would want to do it for a career.
Tahlia said she was looking forward to becoming a nurse in future, with her only obstacle being a fear of blood.
‘‘I might need to learn how to handle blood.’’
Shae said she would prefer to be a hairdresser, like her older brother.
Crissa, from the same 5/6 class, said that she ‘‘enjoyed programming’’ the robots most, and that she had fun constructing them with her partner.
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