🔧 30-Day Robotics & Engineering Curriculum for Kids

🔧 30-Day Robotics & Engineering Curriculum for Kids

🛠️ Goal:

• Learn basic engineering concepts (mechanics, circuits, sensors)
• Get hands-on with LEGO, Arduino, or Micro:bit
• Apply coding & logic to robotics
• Complete fun mini-projects

📅 Week 1: Engineering Foundations (No Coding Required)

📌 Focus: Building physical structures, understanding mechanics.

• Day 1: Build a Tallest Tower Challenge
  🏗️ Use LEGO bricks, popsicle sticks, or paper to build the tallest tower that can hold a small object.

  • Learn about center of gravity & stability.
  • 🔗 Fun STEM Challenge Ideas

• Day 2: DIY Catapult Engineering
  🎯 Build a popsicle stick catapult and measure how far objects fly.

  • Learn about levers & force.
  • 🔗 Catapult Challenge

• Day 3: LEGO Simple Machines
  ⚙️ Use a LEGO Technic set or household materials to build a pulley system.

  • Learn about mechanical advantage.
  • 🔗 LEGO Technic

• Day 4: Paper Airplane Engineering
  ✈️ Design different paper airplanes and test which flies the farthest.

  • Learn about aerodynamics & lift.

• Day 5: Egg Drop Challenge
  🥚 Build a protective structure for an egg and drop it from a height.

  • Learn about shock absorption & material strength.

📅 Week 2: Introduction to Robotics (LEGO / Micro:bit / Arduino)

📌 Focus: Understanding sensors, motors, and programming basics.

• Day 6: Intro to LEGO SPIKE Prime / Mindstorms
  🤖 Learn how to control motors and move a LEGO robot in a straight line.

  • 🔗 LEGO SPIKE Prime

• Day 7: Intro to Micro:bit – Light & Motion
  🔆 Make LEDs blink with simple Micro:bit coding.

  • 🔗 Micro:bit Activities

• Day 8: Arduino Circuits – Light Sensors
  💡 Connect a light sensor to Arduino and make an LED light up when it gets dark.

  • 🔗 Tinkercad Circuits (Free simulator if no hardware)

• Day 9: Remote Control Car (LEGO / Arduino)
  🚗 Program a simple remote-control car that moves forward and backward.

  • 🔗 Arduino Car Kit

• Day 10: Obstacle Avoidance with Sensors
  🚦 Use ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles and stop the robot.

  • 🔗 LEGO Ultrasonic Sensor Guide

📅 Week 3: Coding & Smart Robotics

📌 Focus: Learning logic-based programming for automation.

• Day 11: Intro to Scratch for Robotics
  🎮 Program a virtual robot using Scratch + LEGO SPIKE or Micro:bit extension.

  • 🔗 Scratch Programming

• Day 12: Line-Following Robot (Arduino / LEGO)
  🏁 Make a robot follow a black line using color sensors.

• Day 13: Smart Home Automation (Arduino / Micro:bit)
  🏡 Code a simple automatic fan or LED light that turns on when it gets hot.

• Day 14: Programming Loops & Conditions
  🔄 Learn about loops & conditional logic by making the robot repeat tasks.

• Day 15: Escape Room Puzzle Bot
  🧩 Create a robot that opens a secret door when the right button is pressed.

📅 Week 4: Robotics Challenges & Creative Projects

📌 Focus: Advanced projects that mix engineering, problem-solving, and creativity.

• Day 16: Mars Rover Simulation
  🚀 Make a robot navigate an obstacle course like a Mars Rover.

  • 🔗 NASA Rover Challenge

• Day 17: Robotic Arm Experiment
  ✋ Program a robotic arm to pick up small objects.

  • 🔗 Arduino Robotic Arm

• Day 18: Build a Traffic Light System
  🚦 Program a simple traffic light with Arduino and LEDs.

• Day 19: AI Voice-Controlled Robot
  🎤 Train a robot to respond to voice commands using AI extensions.

• Day 20: Sumo Robot Battle
  🤼 Program a robot to push another robot out of a ring.

📅 Week 5: Final Projects & Problem-Solving

📌 Focus: Applying all skills in open-ended challenges.

• Day 21-25: Build Your Own Robot!

  • Let your child design and build their own robotic project from scratch.
  • Can be a pet robot, security robot, or self-balancing bot.

• Day 26-30: Robotics Challenge Week
  🔍 Set up daily challenges:

  • Maze Escape: Robot finds the exit of a maze.
  • Obstacle Course: Robot dodges objects.
  • Robotic Drawing Machine: Robot draws shapes.

🛠️ Recommended Kits & Tools

✅ LEGO SPIKE Prime or Mindstorms – Best for young builders.
✅ Arduino Starter Kit – For more advanced circuits & robotics.
✅ Micro:bit – Fun & simple for coding-based robotics.
✅ Tinkercad Circuits – Online simulator for Arduino.
✅ Scratch – Free block-based coding for kids.

💡 Why Does This Matter?

• Encourages problem-solving & logical thinking.
• Improves creativity & engineering mindset.
• Prepares kids for AI & automation careers.
• Fun way to build coding + hands-on skills.